He chuckles again. “Ah, I love rookies. In two years, I’m going to remind you of this conversation when we’re renegotiating your contract.”
“I don’t even need it. Can’t I just give it all to charity or something? Would that help?”
“Yeah. We could do something like that. Do you have a charity in mind?”
“No, but I’m sure my parents have one they like.”
He’s quiet for a beat.
“What is it?” I prompt him. We’re still getting used to one another, but I gather that Hugh isn’t someone who freely speaks his mind without a lot of thought and consideration.
“You’re not Maverick Enterprises. You’re Johnny Maverick.”
“I know.” Oh, how I know.
“All right. Then let’s pick out a charity that means something to you. Give it some thought, and I’ll check in later.”
“Yeah… okay. I can do that.”
“So we’re accepting the offer?”
There’s a knock at the door, and I call, “It’s open.” Before responding to Hugh. “Yeah, let’s do it.”
Dakota comes in with Charli. She stopped by to take her on a short run. She’s sweaty, and her cheeks are red. Her tank top is rolled up to the line of her sports bra, and her shorts sit below her belly button. Charli’s tongue hangs out as she trots to her water bowl. Mine too, girl.
Dakota waves and disappears back out the door without speaking.
“Great.” Hugh’s voice breaks the silence. “I’ll get to work then.”
“Actually, hold up. I have another idea.”
6
Dakota
I’m getting in my car after work when an unknown Minnesota number calls. I start the engine and blast the air conditioning while staring at the ringing phone in my hand. The vent blows warm air. It likely won’t cool down until I get home. I switch it off and roll down the windows instead.
“Hello?” I answer when the breeze flows through my car.
“Hi, Dakota. This is Katherine Holland. I’m the human resources manager at the Wildcats.”
Oh crap. I wonder if they didn’t get my email declining the position.
“I am sorry I was out and didn’t get a chance to talk with you. Blythe had great things to say.”
“Thank you. I enjoyed talking with her very much.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. Ugh. I had almost put that opportunity out of my mind, but now I’m back to feeling sorry for myself.
“I got your email declining the offer.”
“Oh yeah?” This is beyond awkward. “The job sounds great. Perfect, actually, but I didn’t realize it was unpaid.”
I pull my hair away from my neck and let the breeze cool me off.
“I completely understand that but what if we could offer compensation for a similar position? Would you still be interested?”
“Yeah.” I don’t even need to hear what the job is. Having a foot in the door at the Wildcats would be huge.
“I was hoping you would say that.” She laughs softly. “We have a unique situation with a sponsor-paid internship. They’re endorsing one of our players and want someone to assist with the campaign: marketing materials and social media content. There is even a photo shoot with the player scheduled.”
Ooooh. I would get to work directly with the players?
“Why wouldn’t they just hire me directly instead of going through you?”
“Good question. Normally they wouldn’t, but this is a unique situation, as I said, and Blythe pushed hard to make this happen. The sponsor-paid work likely won’t take up all of your availability, and we’re hoping to use you in our intern pool still when you’re free. So, more work, but you will be compensated.”
“What’s the compensation?” I close my eyes. Please be enough. Please be enough.
“Twelve thousand for the summer paid in weekly increments, and it covers housing, too.”
“I’m sorry.” I chuckle as the number floats in my head, taunting me. “It sounded like you said twelve thousand.” Fifteen hundred dollars a week? That can’t be a thing.
Her laughter loosens the tension in my neck that I’ve been carrying since I had to decline the internship. “I did. It’s a great opportunity and honestly not one that’s passed my desk before. I looked over the contract myself, and the deliverables don’t feel out of line or beyond what I think you’re capable of. Due to confidentiality, I’m not able to say the player or endorsement until after you’ve signed the contract.” It sounds like she’s shuffling papers as she continues. “I can tell you that you’ll be required to assist with a photo shoot and marketing and advertising copy for each of their social media platforms. If there’s anything you’re worried about, we can talk about what that would look like.”
“I can handle it. All of it. Whatever is needed.”
“I love your confidence. And I’m sure you can. Blythe has agreed to supervise it, and there’s nothing she hasn’t seen before. The two of you will have no problem. If you’d like a day or two to think it over—”
“Yes! I mean, no, I don’t need time. I’m a yes.” I still have to figure out how to get there, but I will duct tape this car together and roll in on fumes if I have to!
After I tell Reagan and Ginny the news and we spend a good twenty minutes jumping up and down celebrating, I head downstairs to Maverick’s apartment.
I knock, but the music inside is so loud, I doubt he can hear me. I open it a crack and poke my head in. Boxes are everywhere, stacked up on one another in the living room. I walk all the way in and shut the door. I can hear Charli whining but have to step through a cardboard maze to find her. She yips, and I bend over to pick her up before continuing through the apartment.
It’s a one-bedroom, so there aren’t a lot of places he could be hiding. I follow the music to his bedroom, but I still don’t see him.
“Mav?” Charli wriggles out of my hold and runs toward the attached bathroom. I am so not going in there. I linger awkwardly. The song ends, and I hear his voice croon at his dog. “Hey, pretty girl. I know. I know. I’m going to miss this place too.”
He walks out, shirtless, no surprise there, and pauses when he sees me. “Kota.”
“I knocked.”
He grabs his phone and turns off the music.
“Mi casa es su casa. What’s up? I was just about to take a food break.”
We walk out to the kitchen, and he opens the fridge to survey the empty shelves.
“Looks like I’m ordering. Want anything?”
“No. I just came to tell you the good news.”
He puts his phone on the counter and leans back against it, giving me his undivided attention.
“I accepted an internship with the Wildcats!”
“No way?” His lips pull into a broad smile. “Congrats!”
“Thank you. I’m so excited. Technically it’s an internship with a company called JM Holdings, but I’ll be in the intern pool and just doing that on the side. They’re endorsing one of the players. I wonder what they sell? It’s probably hockey equipment or something equally boring.”