5. Morgan

5

MORGAN

Dane doesn’t see me at first. His lips are pressed in a flat line as he takes in the office, then looks at Dr. Gaines.

Finally, his eyes shift onto me. I see a flash of irritation in his annoyingly stunning eyes before it’s swiftly replaced by shock.

“ Morgan ?”

I hate how hearing him say my name makes my stomach clench.

This is the guy who stroked my ego only to pulverize my confidence when he decided not to reach out after the club.

I feel Dr. Gaines’s gaze, as well as Justin, the team’s head athletic trainer.

“Hello, Mr. Larson.” I keep my tone professional, but my eyes flash with meaning as Dane gapes at me like he’s seeing a ghost.

I’d wondered if Cam ever told his teammate about my job interview with the Ranchers. Looks like that wasn’t the case.

Dane doesn’t return my greeting. He’s speechless.

Justin looks between us. “Do you two know each other?”

I offer a tight smile. “We have mutual friends.”

“What a coincidence,” Dr. Gaines offers, smoothing over the awkward interaction. Or at least trying to.

Dane keeps staring at me, not moving a muscle. I’m not even sure he’s breathing.

I mentally scream at him to get it together. At the same time, I want to snap at him for looking so surprised. The only reason we haven’t run into each other these past six months is because I’ve avoided going to any event where the star center might be—both professionally and in our personal lives.

Luckily, Carlee hasn’t questioned my absences from the monthly dinners she and Corey have started hosting for family and friends. I never asked her if she extended the invitation to Dane. I didn’t want her to wonder why I’d care—too mortified by how I fell for his charm to want to tell my best friend.

So, rather than risk it, I found excuses not to join. Part of me suffered from FOMO, but not enough to put myself in a situation where I’d have to confront the guy who made me feel like a fool. It looks like I couldn’t avoid it forever.

At least I’m holding it together. Dane clearly hasn’t imagined what he’d say if he saw me again. I hope he feels like shit for blowing me off, but it’s more likely he’s just unsure how to face the consequences of his actions.

“Ms. Caldwell has agreed to be your nutritionist,” Dr. Gaines continues with his usual smile. “Justin and I are confident that with her help and a new training regimen, you will be in the best shape of your career as the team advances through the playoffs.”

I bite my tongue to avoid pointing out that I didn’t agree to be his nutritionist.

Dr. Gaines’s words finally snap Dane out of his stunned state. Sharp blue eyes land on the trainer at his side. “New training?”

The ex-hockey player stands his ground despite the ire rolling off Dane. “Yes. And before you say anything, know that the rest of the players are also getting modified workouts.”

Dane’s lips press together. He nods once. Emotion sparks in his gaze as he returns his attention to me. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

I force a smile even as my eyes flash with irritation. Does he not realize we have an audience? “Yup.”

“Ms. Caldwell has been with us for half a year and has established herself as a valuable and knowledgeable dietician,” Dr. Gaines sings my praises, unaware that he’s exposing a secret I’ve worked hard to maintain.

Oh, well. It was bound to come out eventually.

I watch as Dane does the math in his head. His lips twitch into a frown.

I tear my gaze away, furious at the hint of betrayal in his expression. He’s the one who never texted me. Why would he expect me to tell him I work here?

“When can you start?”

My head whips back to Dane.

His frown is gone, and his lips are set in a determined line as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“How about this afternoon?” Dr. Gaines answers for me. I look at my boss and swallow the objection begging to escape my throat. “Does that work, Ms. Caldwell?”

“Of course.” I clear my throat and reluctantly look back at Dane. “Let’s go to my desk. I can generate a basic meal plan for you today.”

I stand and turn to Dr. Gaines. “Thank you for this opportunity, Dr. Gaines. I really appreciate it.”

“You’ve more than earned it.” He crosses the room and shakes my hand.

I nod and say goodbye to him and Justin, all too aware of the imposing presence keeping step behind me as I leave the office.

Dane waits until we round the corner before he grabs my elbow, prompting me to stop. “What the hell, Morgan? You work here?”

I spin around and pull my arm away. “Yes, we already established that.”

His eyes trail over me, once again looking like he’s seen a ghost. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

I scoff. “Why would I?”

He flinches.

A flicker of remorse stabs me in the chest, but I dismiss the guilty sensation. I’m not the asshole in this situation. Not by a long shot.

I take a deep breath. “Listen, I know things might be awkward, but I’m hoping we can both be professional and do our jobs.”

He frowns. “Professional?”

“There’s no reason we should let our… mistake impact our jobs.” I’m acutely aware that I’m the one who will suffer most if we can’t move past what happened between us at the club all those months ago. Management might be pissed if Dane doesn’t comply, but it’s not like they’d fire their star center for not wanting to work with a nutritionist.

Said nutritionist, however, would be easy to part ways with.

“Mistake?” His frown deepens.

“Yes.” I shove a strand of hair behind my ear and motion in the direction of my cubicle. “So, should we create a base plan for you so we can go our separate ways as soon as possible?”

His eyes flash, and his confusion gives way to frustration. “Sure, Morgan,” he clips. “Whatever you want.”