“Light crowd today,” I say, setting my stack of next month’s selections on the table. I’m wearing my favorite black sweater dress—the one that hits just above my knees and says competent, but not trying too hard. Professional but not uptight. Mitchell’s gaze flicks down, just for a second, before he schools it away. But I feel it—like a spark skimming over bare skin.
“Quality over quantity,” Chase says with a grin. “Plus, Ty might actually read it this time.”
“I always read them,” Ty protests.
“Skimming it doesn’t count,” Bennett shoots back.
“Neither does Wikipedia,” I add, which gets a laugh.
I distribute the new books—a romance about starting over that felt appropriately seasonal—and settle into my chair. “Alright, let’s talk tropes. What do we think about the second chance romance angle?”
“Predictable,” Ty says immediately.
“You say that about every book,” Chase points out.
“Because they are. Guy screws up, girl won’t forgive him, guy makes grand gesture, girl melts. Rinse, repeat.”
“That’s literally the point of tropes,” I say. “They work because people like them.”
“The growling though,” Bennett says, shaking his head. “Why do they always growl? Like, actually growl.”
“Feral masculinity,” I explain. “Readers eat it up.”
“Hockey players don’t growl,” Chase says.
I snort. “Have you met your teammates? Half of you communicate exclusively in grunts.”
“That’s different.”
“Is it though?” I tap my pen against my clipboard. “You guys are basically wolves in expensive skates.”
The truth is, I’ve spent enough time around athletes to know the type. Alpha energy, commitment issues, and egos the size of Texas. Which is fine by me. I learned my lesson about mixing business with pleasure the hard way, and these days I’m perfectly content with my battery-powered boyfriend and zero relationship drama.
Well. Mostly content.
Mitchell finally speaks up. “Wolves are pack animals. They’re loyal.”
Something in his voice makes me look up. There’s an edge there, sharp and bitter.
“True,” I say carefully. “But they also mate for life.”
His mouth curves, but it’s not a smile. “Depends on the wolf.” He leans back in his chair, and when he speaks again, his voice is quieter. “They also bite when cornered.”
The room goes quiet for a beat. Chase and Bennett exchange a look I pretend not to notice.
“Anyway,” I say, clearing my throat. “Speaking of second chances, I need someone to lead next month’s discussion. Chase has been carrying this thing forever.”
Silence.
“Come on, guys. You read the book, show up at the fan event, ask some questions—that I will supply to you—and try not to offend anyone. It’s not rocket science.”
“What about Mitchy?” Ty says suddenly. “He’s never done one.”
Mitchell’s shoulders tense. “I don’t think—”
“It’s perfect,” Chase jumps in, looking way too pleased with himself. “You’ve got that whole mysterious thing going. The fans would lose their minds.”
“I’m not mysterious,” Mitch mutters.