“My passion is science,” I acknowledged, moving closer to him. “But that doesn’t mean I need or want to be with another scientist. Do you only date hockey players?”
“That’s different.”
“Why? Because you’re a man and I’m a woman?”
He had the decency to look chagrined. “That’s not what I meant.”
I took his hand, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Austin, I could explain my research to you if you wanted to understand it. But I don’t need you to. Just like you don’t need me to understand the intricacies of your power play strategy.”
“I know,” he admitted. “It just hit me tonight, watching you two. You have this whole world that I’m not part of.”
“And you have yours,” I reminded him. “That’s okay. It’s actually kind of wonderful.”
His thumb traced patterns on my palm, sending tingles up my arm. “I’m not good at this—the relationship stuff.”
“Newsflash: neither am I,” I said with a small smile. “But I’m pretty good at figuring things out. And you’re worth figuring out, Austin Callahan.”
The tension between us softened as he pulled me into his arms, resting his chin on top of my head.
“For what it’s worth,” I murmured against his chest, “James Chen has nothing on you.”
“No?” His voice rumbled beneath my ear.
“Not even close,” I promised, feeling his arms tighten around me.
We stood like that for a moment. When he finally pulled back, his expression had shifted to something more serious.
“Kate, there’s actually something I need to talk to you about,” he said, his voice quiet but weighted with significance.
“That sounds ominous.”
He shook his head quickly. “It’s not bad, exactly. Just...complicated.” He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I’d come to recognize as his tell when something was bothering him.
I waited, watching the internal debate play across his features.
“Actually,” he said after a long pause, “it’s late, and you’ve had a big breakthrough today. We should celebrate that instead.”
“Austin,” I pressed gently, “whatever it is, you can tell me.”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “Not tonight. Let’s just enjoy this moment. I’ve missed seeing you this excited about your work.”
“Are you sure?” I searched his face for clues.
“Yeah.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Something felt off, but what?
CHAPTER 14
AUSTIN
“We need to discuss Seattle,” Tom said, his voice crackling through my phone speaker.
I froze mid-stretch, standing in the arena’s empty weight room after everyone else had cleared out. “What about Seattle?”
“There are rumors circulating, Stone. Credible ones.” The hesitation in Tom’s voice sent ice through my veins. “Management’s considering a trade.”
“Bullshit!” I snapped, straightening up. “I’m their franchise defenseman. They wouldn’t?—”
