by Anna DePalo
Cole gazed at Marisa, and she implored him with her eyes to make nice. Tonight was important to her, so he was willing to go along. He gave her a slow smile. You owe me, and I’ll collect later, in a mutually pleasurable way...
Mr. Hayes glanced from Cole to Marisa. “I understand you two are a couple these days. Congratulations.”
Marisa smiled. “Thank you.”
“I bet you’re surprised,” Cole put in.
Marisa appeared as if she wanted to give him a sharp elbow.
“Not really,” Mr. Hayes replied.
Cole arched an eyebrow. “I turned out better than you expected.”
“Well, naturally—”
“I understand there’ll be a video retrospective tonight. Might want to withhold judgment until then.”
Marisa widened her eyes at him, and Cole smiled insouciantly back at her. He was willing to play along, but he could still tweak Mr. Hayes’s nose and have some fun in the process.
Mr. Hayes cleared his throat. “Speaking of video presentations, I would like to set the record straight on one issue. When Marisa was called to my office that day, and I asked—”
“Interrogated, you mean?”
“—her about the prank, I could tell she cared about you.”
Cole tamped down his surprise.
“At first, she was very reluctant to say anything. And then when she revealed your connection to the stunt, she was worried about what would happen to you.”
Cole felt Marisa’s touch on his arm.
She’d cared about him in high school, and even Mr. Hayes had been able to see it. Cole wondered why he himself hadn’t, and realized it was because he’d been blind to anything but his sense of betrayal.
Cole met and held Mr. Hayes’s gaze. “I learned a lot from that episode in high school. It was the last school prank I ever pulled.” He covered Marisa’s hand with his. “But everything ended well. More than fine. I’m lucky.”
Marisa went still, and Cole figured she was wondering whether he was playacting for Mr. Hayes’s benefit. She probably thought he was highlighting their relationship in order to rub the former principal’s nose in it.
But he wasn’t acting. He was dead serious. The realization hit him like a body check on the ice.
He wanted Marisa in his life. He needed her in his life.
Sooner or later, he was going to make her see she needed him, too.
* * *
Two days after the fund-raiser Marisa opened her door to the last person she expected to catch on her threshold again. Sal.
Since Pershing Shines Bright, she hadn’t had a chance to see Cole again, though he’d congratulated her by text on a job well done. She’d been on duty the night of the fund-raiser, so she’d departed after everyone but Pershing staff had left. After a quick peck on the lips, Cole had regretfully excused himself because he had an early-morning work meeting.
She was left in a crazy-making limbo about where she and Cole stood, wondering whether the meeting was an excuse because he remembered, too, that the clock on their relationship was due to strike midnight at the end of the fund-raiser.
Still, the morning—or two—after, she hadn’t expected Sal.
She reluctantly stepped aside so he could make it over the threshold. “Sal.”
“Marisa, I need to talk to you.”
Closing the door, she turned to face her former fiancé.
“Vicki left me,” Sal said without preamble.
“I’m sorry.”
Well, this was an interesting turn of events. Marisa wrapped her arms around herself. In some ways, she should have predicted Sal and Vicki’s breakup. They appeared to have little in common, except perhaps for their joint affinity for sports stars.
Still, what did Sal want from her? A shoulder to cry on? She needed consoling herself about Cole.
Sal grimaced. “It was for the best that Vicki made for the door. I’ve been acting like an idiot.”
Marisa couldn’t disagree, but she said nothing, not wanting to hit someone when he was down.
Sal suddenly looked at her pleadingly. “I’m done with the high-flying lifestyle of pro athletes, Marisa. I thought I wanted it for myself, but I’ve tendered my resignation at the sports agency. I’m taking a job with a foundation that brings sports and athletics to underprivileged kids. I want to make a difference.”
She couldn’t argue with the admirable impulse to help kids. She worked with children every day. It was exhausting but exhilarating work. Still, while she was happy Sal appeared to be in a better place, she wondered about the road he’d taken to get there. “And Vicki leaving you led to this epiphany?”
He had the grace to look sheepish. “She wasn’t you, Marisa.”
“Of course not. Wasn’t that why you were attracted to her?”
“I was an idiot,” Sal repeated. “But I’ve done a lot of thinking in the past few days.”
She waited.
“Marisa, I still have feelings for you.”
She blinked and dropped her arms to her sides.
Sal held up his hand. “Wait, let me finish. I know it’ll be hard to regain your trust. But I hope it won’t be impossible. I’m asking you to give me another chance.” He reached for her hand. “Marisa, I love you. I’m willing to do anything, whatever it takes, to have you back.”
She didn’t know where to begin. “Sal—”
“You don’t need to say anything.” Sal gave a half laugh. “There’s nothing you can say that I haven’t already thought of. I’ve called myself every name in the book.”
She snapped her mouth closed.
“The thing is, I got cold feet with our engagement.” He shrugged. “You could say it took Vicki to make me realize the person I really want. You, Marisa.”
As a heartfelt declaration, it wasn’t half-bad. But she was no longer sure he was the right man for her.
Sal had made a mistake, by his own admission. But otherwise he was safe and predictable and what she’d thought she always wanted—until Cole had come back into her life.
Still, Cole had never shown any indication of settling down. And while she’d been falling in love with him, he hadn’t given any sign that he returned her feelings.
She cleared her throat. “Sal, I—”
“No,” he interrupted. “Don’t say anything. Think about it. I know I’ve laid a lot on you.”
“Really—”
He gave her a quick kiss, startling her. It was as if he was determined to prevent a knee-jerk rejection. “I’m going to check in with you again soon.”
With those words, Sal turned and was out the door as quickly as he had come.
* * *
Cole had just gotten off a conference call at work when his assistant put through a call from Steve Fryer, an acquaintance from his days on the ice.
Cole looked at the papers strewn across his desk. He was already pressed for time, his morning occupied with meetings, but Steve had no way of knowing that.
Cole also itched to be with Marisa. He hadn’t seen her since the fund-raiser a few days ago. He’d had a busy schedule with a couple of work emergencies, and today was looking no better.
“Cole, I’ve got good news,” Steve announced. “The coach for the Madison Rockets has decided to take the job in Canada after all because the sports advertising agency there agreed to meet his contract terms.” Pause. “We’d like to offer you the coaching position.”
Cole leaned back in his chair, his world coming to a screeching halt. This was the opportunity he’d been waiting months for. The Rockets were one of the best minor league teams in the American Hockey League. The job would be a good launching pad for an NHL coaching position. Rather than starting as an assistant coach in the NHL, he could prove himself as the head of his own team.
“Great news, Steve. I think the Rockets made the right decision.”
Steve laughed.
“I’ll get back to you,” Cole said, eyeing the jumble of papers on his desk. “As you
can imagine, there are things to sort out at this end.” He expected Steve would assume he needed to contact his agent—or former agent, to be more accurate—to begin the process of negotiating a suitable employment contract.
Only Cole knew his complications were bigger. He needed to disentangle himself from Serenghetti Construction, for one. He thought again of the offer to purchase the company—it was now or never. And then there was his relationship with Marisa...
“Take your time,” Steve responded. “We’ll talk next week.”
“You’ll be hearing from me.” Cole gave the assurance before ending the call, his mind buzzing.
The wheels were moving in the direction he wanted, but in the past year he’d become more encumbered than ever in Welsdale. Marisa was chief among those ties...
He’d suggest she move to Madison with him.
A weight lifted as his mind sped up. There would be plenty of teaching jobs there for her. If she had the potential to advance at Pershing, then she certainly had the qualifications to be an attractive hire at other schools. She might even decide that moving someplace else was the better bet—she hadn’t yet gotten a promotion at Pershing, and one might never materialize. Another school might start her out in administration from the beginning.
He could make this situation work—for the both of them. He would make it work.
But first he needed to tackle a dicier situation. It was time to tell Serg about the offer to buy Serenghetti Construction.
Cole picked up his jacket off the back of the chair and told the receptionist he’d be out and reachable on his cell. After texting his mother, he made the quick drive over to Casa Serenghetti, where he figured he’d find Serg in one of two moods: grumpy or grumpier.
When he stepped inside the house, he greeted his mother with a peck on the cheek and then followed her to the oversize family room, where his father was ensconced in a club chair.
Cole sat in a leather chair and braced his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped between them. Camilla took a seat on the sofa, and there was small talk about the weather and how Serg was feeling. But Cole could tell his father was suspicious about this unexpected visit. Serg regarded him from under his customary lowered brows.
Cole took the bull by the horns. “Someone’s offered to buy the company.”
“Offered?” Serg shot back in his rumbling voice. “Like someone came banging on your door? Or you solicited a buyer?”
“Does it matter? It’s a good offer from a bigger outfit with operations in the Northeast.” Cole knew they couldn’t expect better.
Serg grumbled, his eyes piercing. “I’m going to have another stroke.” Then he bent his head and grimaced.
Camilla shot to her feet. “Madonna. Serg! Where does it hurt?”
But Cole had a better question. “Right now?”
Serg cracked one eye open. “Does it matter when? You’ve killed me, either way.”
“Serg, please,” Camilla exclaimed, throwing Cole an exasperated look.
Cole was used to drama from his family. He’d had a lifetime of it.
“You fought hard to get the contract to build the Pershing gym, and now you’re planning to sell the company?” Serg asked accusingly. “I was starting to think you had my competitive business instincts.”
Cole was ready. “I do, and that’s why I believe selling the company is the best thing.”
“Camilla, bring me my meds,” Serg instructed at the same time that he waved Cole away. “I need to rest.”
“The offer is a good one,” Cole said again, and then stood because he’d known before he’d arrived that he needed to let Serg get used to the idea. “Let me know when you’re ready to hear more of the particulars.”
One meeting down, one to go. On the way out the door, Cole texted Marisa to meet him at the Puck & Shoot after work...
Eleven
When Marisa walked into the Puck & Shoot, she was nervous. Cole had asked her to meet him, and she knew she needed to mention Sal’s visit.
She slipped into the booth and sat opposite from Cole, not giving him a chance to rise at her entrance. A waitress appeared, and at Cole’s inquiring look, she ordered a light beer.
Cole’s cell phone buzzed, and she was saved from having to say anything more. Apologizing for having to take a work call, he stood up and walked a few feet away.
The last time she and Cole had been at the Puck & Shoot, she’d thrown herself at him when Sal and Vicki had appeared, and their charade as a couple had started. How fitting would it be if they buried their faux relationship here, as well?
When the waitress returned and set her drink before her, Marisa took a swallow. She was nervous, and she sensed something was up with Cole, too.
Cole slipped back into the booth, pocketing his phone.
Marisa felt her pulse pick up. She wanted to slide into the booth beside him, sit in his lap, twine her arms around his neck and brush his lips with hers. But she no longer knew whether she was allowed to. She didn’t know where they stood. Neither of them had talked about anything substantial since the end of the fund-raiser days ago.
As if reading her mind, Cole stared at her intently. “We’ve done a good job pretending to be a couple.”
“Yes.” It was the pretend part that she’d had trouble with.
“I’ve been offered a coaching job with a hockey team in Madison, Wisconsin.”
Marisa’s heart plummeted.
Cole, however, looked pleased. Could their relationship—okay, their pretending—have meant so little to him? She wondered why he’d brought up the coaching job right after mentioning their charade. It seemed like a non sequitur...unless this was Cole’s way of breaking things off? It’s been good, but now I’m moving on, sweet pea?
“Sal wants to get back together,” she blurted.
She knew it was a defensive move, but she couldn’t help herself. Cole hadn’t said he was taking the job in Wisconsin, but...he seemed happy. And he knew she was tied to Welsdale and her job at Pershing School—not that he’d said anything about having her move with him.
Her mind was racing, but she just couldn’t bear to hear the words it’s over, baby. She’d been dumped by Sal and had survived, but she wasn’t sure she could pick up the pieces after Cole. He meant too much. Still, she couldn’t blame Cole for leaving. The fund-raiser was finished, and she’d been the one to insist their pretend relationship would end with it.
Cole blinked, and then his face tightened. “Don’t tell me you’re considering giving that jerk a second chance.”
No, but right now she needed her walls up where Cole was concerned. She had to keep him at a distance. She’d fallen in love with him, but he’d never given any indication that he felt the same way about her. In fact, he was leaving.
Cole nodded curtly. “If you go back to Sal, you’ll be playing it safe.”
“I’m a teacher. It’s a nice, safe profession.”
He leaned forward. “If you think you’re not passionate and daring, you’re wrong, sweet pea. I can tell after our time together.”
She wasn’t passionate, she was greedy. She wanted it all, including Cole’s unwavering love and attention. But Cole had never shown any inclination of settling down, and as far as she could tell, he wasn’t starting now. “You’re passionate about hockey. You should pursue the dream.”
It hurt to say the words. She felt a heavy weight lodge in her heart. But if there was one thing she’d learned from the past, it was that it was futile to stand in the way of dreams.
Cole said nothing, but his hand tightened on his beer.
“Sure your parents would love to have you in Welsdale,” she continued. “That’s why they liked that we were a couple. But we both know it was pretend.” Just saying those words made her ill.
Cole’s mouth thinned. “Are you forgetting how we got into a fake relationship?”
Yes, it was her fault. She heated but stood her ground. “And now we’re uncoupled.”
He ga
ve a brief nod. “There’s nothing else to say then. A bargain is a bargain.”
Marisa wanted to say a lot of things. I love you. Don’t leave. Stay with me.
Instead, she nodded in agreement and reached for her handbag beside her. She fumbled for bills to pay her tab.
“Leave it,” Cole said, his voice and face impassive. “I’ve got it.”
She nodded and slid out of the booth without looking at him. “I’ve got to go. I squeezed in a detour to the Puck & Shoot when you texted, but I’ve got papers to grade tonight.”
She would not meet Cole’s gaze. It would be her undoing. “Thanks for the beer.”
She headed toward the door on autopilot. Please don’t let me faint. Please let me survive this.
* * *
The next night Cole found himself at the Puck & Shoot again. Anyone with a morbid sense of humor would say he enjoyed wallowing in misery by returning to the scene of the crime.
He still knew which way was up, but he hoped to correct the situation soon, starting with the drink before him. He’d never been turned this inside out by a breakup with a woman, and it took some getting used to.
On top of it, he was questioning his plans for Serenghetti Construction. If that wasn’t evidence that he needed his head examined, he didn’t know what was. Without his knowing it, the family company had grown on him in a sneaky way. It didn’t seem right to sell it.
He grimaced. He could handle only one breakup at a time.
“What are you doing? Drinking yourself silly?”
Cole turned, surprised at his brother’s voice. “Your powers of observation are impressive, Jordan.”
Cole figured he should have chosen a bar other than the Puck & Shoot if he’d wanted to be left alone. At least Marisa’s cousin Serafina wasn’t working tonight. Unfortunately, however, Jordan had decided to show up for a drink.
“Well? Where’s Marisa?” Jordan looked around the bar. “It’s Saturday night. I thought you two lovebirds were joined at the beak these days.”
“She decided she prefers another guy.”
Jordan raised his eyebrows. “Sal?”
