Cold as Ice (27 page)

“Excuse me.”

Automatically Meghan steps to the side to let a man pulling a flatbed dolly with stacks of boxes on it through.

“Wait!” she shouts. “Are those cookbooks?”

The man slows. “I heard they were books.” He shrugs.

“Okay, great! Do you know where you're going?” Meghan tries to walk with him but is falling behind. The dolly takes up most of the hallway.

They get to the arena where thousands of people are waiting in line for their chance to have a cookbook signed or have something autographed by their favorite player. People have come dressed in Warriors attire. She scans the tables. Every player is there. She notes that Jared Landry's place is occupied. From where she's standing, she can't tell who is who.

“Where do you want them?” the deliveryman asks.

“Follow me.” She walks away from the crowd to a place near the front of the line. Security is letting people through. People only get a few seconds with each player, but it looks like the event is running smoothly and Meghan can breathe easily now that there are more cookbooks to give away.

The man unstacks the boxes and puts them with the rest. Meghan calls some employees over to help open the boxes and get them ready for the public. She's happy she made the decision to keep the limit to one item signed per player, whether it's the cookbook, a hockey card or a jersey. She couldn't expect the players to sign everything. That would be asking for too much and she wants to be on everyone's good side, especially when there will be many more team events. Meghan helps out at the front of the line and then strolls the arena to make sure the event is running the way it was planned. So far, so good. People are smiling, laughing and having a great time meeting their icons and the players seem to be enjoying themselves. Meghan walks around the facility, making sure everyone is doing their job and the players have what they need.

By the afternoon, the crowd thins and Meghan instructs security to lock the entrance and to warn people the event is coming to a close. She has to take these heels off. Her blister is getting bigger and she might even have another on the top of her foot.

There are still around hundred people trying to get through to have something signed.

“Good job today,” Keri says. “I'm heading back to the office to finish up on a few things. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.” After Keri leaves, she kicks off her heels and hides them under a table with her briefcase. Instant relief. She sighs and throws her head back as she wiggles her toes.

“Exhausted?” Dana makes a pile of the crushed boxes.

“I'm okay. It's my feet. They're killing me.”

“You look like you could use a nap.”

“It will be an early night for me, that's for sure.” Meghan takes out her cell phone to check the time. “It's three already!” Meghan touches her stomach. She missed lunch. Early dinner, early bedtime. “We can start cleaning up. The event is over. You can tell the players to wrap it up. I'm going to start clearing off the tables.”

“Did you need me to sign any extra books?” a guy asks.

“They're for charity, right?”

“I think we're okay. Thanks.” She continues to collect the Sharpies.

“Do you need a hand?”

“No, I'm fine, thanks.” She ignores him as he clears off his place setting and hands her his name card. Jared Landry. It had to be him. She takes the card.

“I thought this went until four.”

“I sent out the updated notice. It ended at three.” Meghan throws his card in the tote and places it down with the others on a nearby table, where Dana adds the other name cards to it.

“That was you? You sent the e-mail?” Jared picks up a potted mum.

She stares at him. Is he for real?

“You're Meghan.” He extends his hand while holding the plant at his side. “Jared Landry.”

“Meghan O'Riley.” She places her hand in his with a firm shake and releases it, going back to clearing the table of garbage and used Solo cups.

“Are you taking that?” Dana points to the plant.

Jared flinches and hands it over. “No.”

“I can take it.” Dana leaves with the plant.

“Sorry if I offended you back there. I didn't know who you were.”

“And that makes a difference?”

“It does. We kinda work together. Don't want to damage our relationship.”

Meghan snickers. “Damage our relationship?” What relationship? This guy is too much.

“Let me help you.” He reaches for another plant.

“No, I'm okay. Really. Thanks. I'm fine.” She tries hard to grin, even though she wants him to leave and not bother her again. She starts clearing the tables.

“The least I can do is give you a hand.” He puts the plant down as Dana comes for it and takes it away.

She raises an eyebrow. “Don't worry about it. Thanks. I've got it. I'm sure you have things to do.”

Jared scratches his temple, looks around and starts to stack the empty Solo cups that line the tables before tossing them into the garbage.

“Are you always this helpful?”

“I don't mind helping out.”

“You don't have to feel guilty for accusing me of being some random woman checking out locker rooms.”

“I didn't know who you were.”

“That makes a difference? Is that what you like to do, spy on people?” She stares into his eyes. She swallows, waiting for an answer, but he, too, is gazing at her as though unsure what to say.

“I was walking by. I wanted to make sure you weren't lost.”

She bursts out laughing. “Okay.”

“Seriously.”

“It was nice meeting you.” She turns on her toes.
There is no way this Jared guy is going to think he's God's gift to women, the way he cocks his head and smiles at me. No way will I fall into that trap of forgiveness. What does he want?

“Are you having a bad day?”

She looks at him inquisitively. “No, I'm not.”

His eyes skim her outfit and he stares at her bare feet.

“I was wearing new shoes.”

“You spilled something.” He points to his chest, mirroring her reflection.

Her shoulders sink. “Thanks for pointing it out. I spilled my coffee on the way to work. Will you be at the next event?”

He nods.

“Good. Well, I'm sure you have things to do. I've got this.” She pulls off a white tablecloth.

“I tried calling you on my way here and I got pulled over—”

“You tried calling me? Why?”

“To tell you I was coming. I was running late . . . and then I got pulled over for holding my cell phone.”

“Don't tell me, you got off.”

“Yeah.” His top lip tightens into a grin.

“It was close. I got a warning.”

Meghan ties the Sharpies together with a rubber band. “It happens, right?” She throws them into the bin.
Probably happens all the time.

“It's never happened before.”

“I better go. Looks like you're done here. He backs away. “Get your boyfriend to look after you tonight and give you a foot massage.”

Her cheeks feel suddenly warm. As if Stu would even think of doing such a thing.

Jared saunters across the concrete floor without a care in the world. He probably has a nice girlfriend and a nice life.

eKENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

 

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

 

Copyright © 2014 by Charlene Groome

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

 

 

eKensington Books and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

 

First Electronic Edition: December 2014

ISBN: 978-1-6018-3346-4

eISBN-10: 1-60183-346-6

 

First Print Edition: December 2014

ISBN-13: 978-1-60183-347-1
ISBN-10: 1-60183-347-4