“Name one.”
“My dick. Now, get lost.” Luca skates up behind him.
I laugh as Darryl winks at me and skates off.
“Rookies,” Luca mumbles. “What did York want?”
“Okay, I know I should have discussed this with you, but I had to give him an answer right away. It’s huge.” I smile up at him. My excitement is building.
“What?”
I take a deep breath and tell him everything that happened up in York’s office. I told him about the money, spending the playoffs with him, and even the fact I can bring Amy with me as my assistant. When I finish, he doesn’t say anything. He skates over to his coach, says something to him, and skates over to me. Luca jumps off the ice and grabs my hand and takes me into the locker room. He removes his helmet and gloves and turns back to me.
“Luca, don’t be mad–” I can’t finish my sentence because he begins kissing me. When he pulls away, I’m breathless.
“I’m so damn proud of you, Hadley. You worked for this moment. I know this is your dream.” He gives me a soft kiss.
“Luca.” I choke back the tears. Sometimes, he can say the right thing at just the right time.
“I mean it. No one but you can do that job.” He smiles at me.
“I love you. Thank you.”
“You helped me in all my dreams. We’ve been all over the US when I was being traded around. I’m glad you have this opportunity.”
“Where’s my big, tough Luca at?” I giggle.
“He’s here, but right now I’m your future husband and I’m supporting my future wife.” He wraps me tighter in his arms and a single tear escapes and rolls down my cheek.
We hold each other for a moment before Luca says he’s got to get back.
“I know. I’m sorry.” I pull away and wipe my face.
“Don’t be. We’ll celebrate later.”
I hug him one more time and head out.
~ ~ ~
“Ms. Lincoln.” I smile at the nurse as she calls me back. I follow her down the hall to the small exam room. “The doctor will be here in a moment.”
I sit down on the exam table and wait for several minutes until my doctor comes in. This is a crazy day already. I can’t believe I’m going to run The Hockey Network. I need to call my boss and put in my notice and Amy’s. That girl might be a little flaky at times, but she knows her shit and I don’t have time to train another assistant.
“Hadley.”
“Hello, Doc.” I smile up at him as he comes through the door.
“What can I help you with today?”
“It’s a simple day. I need a refill on my birth control pills and I’ve been having some serious nausea lately. I’m thinking I may have gotten food poisoning.”
He begins to ask me a bunch of questions about my symptoms. I tell him everything that’s been happening the past several days.
“Hadley, let’s do a urine test and a quick blood test.”
“Why?”
“I just want to rule out a couple of things.”