He exhaled. “Do you want—”
“It’s fine, just drive.”
He pulled away from the curb, the warmth in the cab replaced by an icy silence. The arena was twenty minutes away. This would be torture if they didn’t talk about something. “So the photography studio. You must love working there if you’ve been there for three years.”
Emma exhaled. “It’s been the best. I used to have to scramble for new jobs, constantly networking and building up relationships with potential clients. Now I get an email in my inbox each week with a list of requests and the three of us choose which ones we want to take.”
“Does the studio only do marketing photos?”
Emma nodded. “Not all product shoots, though. Sometimes Lindsey and Vaughn do branding photos, but I only help with the food and product styling.”
This was better.Tyler relaxed in his seat. He knew how to make women feel comfortable. That had always come easy to him, probably because he’d watched his dad charm and schmooze since he was in diapers. He was grateful for the skill and hated himself each time he recognized he was using it.
“How did you get into food—”
“My turn to ask questions.” Emma turned in her seat. “When did you start playing hockey?”
Tyler shifted his hands on the wheel. He was glad she was talking, less glad that she was interrogating him. “When I learned to walk.”
“Same with my brothers, but you’re better than them. Where did you go after peewee?”
He shot her a look. “You think I’m better?”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Answer the question, Bowen.” There was a fierceness in her expression, but underneath, he spotted something softer. She was using his strategy.Smart girl to go on the offence.
“I played in competitive and feeder leagues, probably much like Sean.” He glanced over, and Emma nodded. “Then I got signed to the Drifters—”
“You got signed?In high school?” she interrupted. “That’s North Carolina, right? How long did you play for them?”
He laughed and put up a hand. “Can you let me finish the story?”
She closed her mouth and folded her hands in her lap. “Sorry. Continue.”
He pulled to a stop at a red light and drew a deep breath. “I was drafted, but not officially signed. I played for the University of Toronto that year, waiting for my contract to come through. When it didn’t, I played a second year with them.” He paused, his chest tightening. The light turned green and he pulled forward.
In an instant, he was back in that apartment with his teammates eating fried chicken sandwiches and packing for their tournament in Windsor when his roommate Shears picked up the phone and handed it to him. He’d never heard his father’s voice sound that way before or since.
“My mom died in a car accident and I ended up pulling out and staying there in Toronto. Finished my degree in computer science.”
Emma was still. Nothing like a death to lighten the mood.
“I’m so sorry, Tyler.”
He turned and smiled. “It was a long time ago.”
“So you worked there in Toronto? Or somewhere else before moving here?”
Tyler turned left at the next light. “Stayed in Toronto. Worked for a few different banks, then a software company. I’m still working for them remotely, but when my dad moved out here he needed help with a few projects. He’s renovating a few different properties, turning them into bed and breakfasts.”
She cocked her head to the side. “You moved here for your dad?”
Tyler ran a hand through his hair. He knew what she was thinking.A guy who’s loyal and loves his family.Normally he’d run with it. Use it to his advantage to get her back to his place. Butthatwas already off the table with Emma since the only reason she was here with him was to prove a point to her brother—his hockey captain.
“I moved here because he needed help, and the money was good. He and I have never had a great relationship.”
To his surprise, she didn’t look disappointed, only curious. Emma leaned on the armrest. “Is it difficult working with him then?”
“I think you’ve used up your questions.”
