Julia Jarrett

“My son has loved you for years. Watching you two find your way together has been a joy, and I had hoped you would someday decide to get married and promise each other forever. It’s just a shock to know that already happened.”

Arms snake around my waist and squeeze me tightly, bringing a wide smile to my face. “Hey, babe.”

I turn around to see her upturned face with happiness beaming outward. “Hi, husband.”

I lightly kiss her forehead, then the tip of her nose, then her lips. “I love hearing you say that word.”

going on failed date after failed date in search of “the one.”

I’ll already be married to her.

“Okay. What do we need to do to make this madness happen?”

Cam’s raspy morning voice startles me from the dangerous path my thoughts were heading down, and I look over to see her watching me over the top of her coffee mug.

I see a familiar face staring back at me from a stool at the very end of the bar, tucked into a dark corner, I come up short with a stumble. The tattooed mystery man from the stairwell…

“Hello again,” he rumbles with a smirk that doesn’t quite soften the hard lines of his jaw.

I blink once, twice, then realize I must look like a fool standing there staring at him. “H-hi.”

“I’ll keep an eye on your table.” The rasp of his voice filters through the background noise of the bar, raising the hairs on my arm.

“Thanks,” I say, still staring. He breaks eye contact, looking back down at the glass of clear liquid in front of him.

My finger runs around the base of my wine glass as I try to decide what to do. I’m acutely aware of the man behind me, and while I can’t confirm he’s looking at me, I feel as though he is. It’s so distracting, I don’t realize trouble is heading my way and not coming from the direction of the man at the bar.

Someone else slides into the seat across from me and my head shoots up, my mood instantly souring even further when I see who it is.

“What are you doing here, Dirk?” I say, my grip tightening on my wine glass.

My ex leans back against the chair, his suit jacket falling open as he gives me a cocky grin. “This is where we always go for drinks, princess.” He gestures at me casually and shakes his head. “C’mon. Let your hair down, why you gotta be so uptight all the time?”

How the heck did I ever think this was the right man for me? I stare at him, trying to burn holes into him with my eyes. The comments about my hair, my clothes, me. They’re always said so casually, so offhand, like he’s not really judging me, but he is.

“Leave, please.” I say it quietly but firmly, hoping he’ll get the message.

“Now why would I do that? You’ve been ignoring my messages. I just want to talk.” He has the absolute audacity to sound wounded, and I scoff.

“I’ve been ignoring you because I have nothing to say.
”

“You’re seriously still mad about Gina? God, Sadie. Get over it. I’m tired of waiting for you to come to your senses and come home.”

I’m at a loss on how to respond. It’s not the first time in the past couple of months he’s hinted at thinking I’ll come crawling back to him someday, but it is the most blatant he’s ever said it.

Before I can say anything, Dirk’s gaze drops down to the two glasses of wine in front of me, then back up at my face. “Are you waiting for someone?” The way he says it, like he can’t quite believe I’d be here with someone else, grates on my nerves.

“Pretty sure she asked you to leave.”

The deep rumble from behind makes me gasp. Crap, I’d forgotten he was there, obviously witnessing this humiliating mess. A heavy arm is draped over my shoulder and from the corner of my eye I can see the tattoos that cover his hand. But instead of freaking out that the man I saw almost punch a wall is currently touching me, I feel strangely relieved. He’s a solid presence at my side, and while I want to say I can handle Dirk myself, the backup is nice to have.

Flipping to the web browser I have set to show alerts from major news outlets when my name is mentioned, I see why he’s pissed. Someone got a photo last night of me and the chick from the bar. And it looks like a lot more is going on than there actually was.

No. It’s crazy. Dirk’s an ass, but he’s not wrong. A guy like Maverick won’t want anything to do
with me. He’s probably already sent his statement refuting this madness to the press, meaning it’s only a matter of time before Dirk’s phoning me back to rub it in my face

“She’s dating Mav!” Willow blurts out before I can say anything, and I feel Maverick’s hand tighten around mine.

The man, Mike, raises his eyebrows as he glances from me to the man next to me. Then his eyes drop down to where Maverick is still holding my hand.

“Right. You’re the one from the photo.
”

Just then, everything clicks. This is Mike Cartwright. As in, Willow’s uncle. As in, the owner of the team. I gulp and nod.

But he pulls me in against his chest, and the steady thump of his heartbeat is somehow soothing and familiar. His strong arms feel normal, safe. Even though he’s holding me somewhat stiffly, it feels good to just be held.

He lets me go and I step back. Feeling bold, I rise up on my toes and kiss the scruff of his cheek. That pink colour comes back, and I hide my smile.

“See you later, babe,” I say loudly, biting back a giggle at the slow blink he gives me.

“Sadie LeDuc. Head of fundraising for the Vancouver Children’s Hospital Foundation. She’s not some random chick, Mav.
”

Colin sinks down and looks at me with an expression that for some reason makes me nervous.

“What?” I growl, pouring the coffee into two mugs and shoving one across the counter to him. “She’s nothing to me.”

“Unless we make her something to you. This could be a good thing, brother.” His voice has turned deceptively soft and I’m equal parts confused and concerned by it.

“What are you getting at?” I ask sharply, lifting my mug to take a small sip of the scorching hot liquid. Hell of a lot better than the swill Ralph drinks.

“I’m saying we need to repair your image, and what better way than a love story between you and Miss Goody Two-shoes here to feed the media with something positive for a change?”

Coffee spews from my mouth onto the counter between us. “You’re fucking joking.”

But Colin just shakes his head slowly. “This photo shows you as a human being, capable of having feelings for someone. That’s what we need, Mav. For the world to see a side of you they’ve never witnessed.”

I back away from him. “No. Just, no. Fuck off with that madness, bro.”