Chapter 5

FIVE

Anders

I’ve never impressed a girl by introducing her to my boss before, but that’s exactly what seems to be happening with Claudia. She’s beyond excited to meet Mr. Knight, and the moment they start to talk, I realize I’m way out of my element. She mentions his software company, something about firewalls, NAT, and port forwarding, and I’m completely lost.

It’s okay, though, because it’s obvious how passionate she is about the topic and watching her talk animatedly to Mr. Knight about something he’s equally passionate about is interesting. She no longer appears shy or introverted. In fact, she’s the opposite, completely at ease having a conversation with one of the richest men in the world, who also happens to be my boss.

“I’m sorry,” she says after about fifteen minutes. “I’ve totally monopolized your time. Forgive me.”

“Not at all,” Mr. Knight says, grinning. “My wife is off with her friends, the baby is sleeping, and I get to talk about one of my two favorite things—computers and hockey.”

“Well, it was great to meet you,” she says. “I can talk about computers all day. But I’ve been told I bore people, so I try to behave in social settings.”

“My wife tells me the same thing sometimes,” he says, laughing. “But honestly, loving what you do is important, so your attitude will get you far. And good luck at Vizionaire. I’ve been following them online, and I think they’re doing great things.”

“I think so too. That’s why I was psyched when they hired me.”

“Please keep in touch,” he says, reaching for his wallet and pulling out a business card. “Email me, let me know how you’re doing.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Mr. Knight heads over to where his wife is checking on their toddler, and I’m shocked when Claudia throws her arms around me.

“Thank you!” she gushes. “I can’t believe I got to meet one of my tech heroes!”

“You’re welcome,” I say, suddenly very aware of her closeness.

The way her body feels pressed against mine.

How good it feels that she’s finally letting her guard down.

How much I want to keep touching her.

“You’re welcome,” I whisper, my lips against her hair.

She seems to suddenly become aware of the electricity between us and quickly pulls away.

“I, um, well, I’ve always been a huge fan of his. So thank you. Really.”

“No problem at all. Any of us could have introduced you to him.”

“Yeah, but you offered. And then you followed through. And he gave me his email address. That’s huge for me.”

“I’m happy I could make that happen for you.”

“I never think of people like that having a personal life,” she says, looking over at where he’s holding his daughter. “Like, being a dad or whatever.”

“I think that’s normal. You create your own version of someone in your mind, and then let your imagination take over.”

“Do you do it?” she asks, cocking her head slightly.

“When I was younger, sure. Looking up to my hockey idols, the only thing I cared about was their professional and athletic accomplishments. The idea that they were husbands, fathers, sons—it never occurred to me.”

“I guess that’s how I thought of Mr. Knight. Just a technological and business genius. I didn’t consider him being married, or a father. Or that someone like him owned a hockey team!”

“You can be a genius and love hockey,” I joke.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

She’s more relaxed now, and we spend the next couple of hours alternating between talking, cooling off in the water, and occasionally joining the others for a drink or more conversation.

Before I know it, the sun is getting lower in the sky and Toli and Remy have put steaks on the grills. A few people have left, but most of us are gearing up for a fantastic dinner and fireworks.

Claudia is with Hana, Sloane, Eden, and a few other ladies, so I wander over to where Felix Lessard, Aiden Barbeau, and Jordan Palmer have gathered. There are only four of us that didn’t bring a date today, and while I feel like I’ve spent the day with Claudia, I’m not sure I’ve made any progress in getting her to go out with me. Because I definitely want to ask her, but I’m strangely reluctant.

“So who’s the chick you’ve been talking to all day?” Jordan asks. “Johan’s sister’s friend?”

“Claudia,” I reply, then take a pull from my beer.

“You gonna hit that tonight?” he asks.

I roll my eyes. “Is sex all you ever think about?”

He makes a face. “I’m sorry—is that a trick question? Is there something else I’m supposed to think about?”

“Never mind.” I chuckle. Sometimes I forget he’s only twenty-one.

“You like her?” Felix asks. “You are taking her out?”

“I’m not sure she’s into me,” I say.

“She is,” Aiden says firmly. “She’s just shy.”

“How would you know that?” I demand. “You haven’t said two words to her today.”

“You can always spot the shy ones.” He shrugs. “And she’s super shy. Except when she was talking to Mr. Knight. Definitely not shy with him. But with you? She’s being cautious. My spidey sense tells me she had a bad experience with a guy and now she avoids us like the plague.”

I’m always amazed at guys who are that insightful.

It’s never been my forte.

If it was, it probably would’ve saved me a lot of heartache.

“This means she likes him or no?” Felix asks in confusion.

“I don’t know,” Aiden says. “I can read body language, not minds.”

“I prefer bodies over minds,” Jordan says.

“What happened to that stripper you were dating?” I ask, anxious to change the subject since I don’t need Jordan weighing in on my love life.

“That fizzled out,” he says. “I always get bored after a month or so. You know how it is.”

I did but I didn’t.

I do my share of hooking up on the road, and there was a woman I’d spent a lot of time with in Sweden, but that’s over now. Trying to trap me into marrying her canceled out any feelings I was beginning to have for her. That happened a year ago, and I’m just now getting past it. But my friends don’t know about it. In fact, no one knows except my immediate family. It had been far too traumatic to me, and generally speaking, I’m a pretty private guy.

“You and Hana have been hanging out some,” Aiden says to Felix. “What’s up with that?”

Felix looks slightly uncomfortable. “It is complicated.”

“You like her?”

“Yes. Very much. But…” He sighs. “I met someone when I was home in Quebec. We have agreed she will come to visit, and we will see what happens. I did not expect to meet someone like Hana.”

“Dude.” I give him a look. “You do not want to be cheating with Johan’s sister.”

“We have done nothing!” he protests.

“Not cool,” Aiden tells him. “As someone who’s divorced, take it from me—cheating never ends well.”

“I am not cheating!” Felix throws up his hands and starts muttering in French. “We have no commitment…” More French. “…still deciding…” And more French.

“Dude, you know we can’t understand you when you go all voulez vous couche avec moi on us,” Jordan says.

I snort in amusement and Aiden throws back his head in a laugh.

“You want to sleep with me?” Felix asks Jordan.

Jordan rolls his eyes. “Yeah, that’s where I was going with that.”

We all laugh, including Felix, who then shakes his head. “I did not realize I would meet someone like Hana. Now I am…how do you say in English? Confusion?” He has a thick accent.

“Confused,” I offer.

“You should try being honest,” I suggest. “Tell her that you recently met someone, it’s not serious, but you’re supposed to see her in November. Or whatever it is.”

“December,” Felix says.

“Okay, so just tell her you like her, but you don’t want to lead her on until you know what’s happening with your other situation.”

“This will work?” he asks. “If I am Hana, I leave and do not look behind me.”

“Look back,” Aiden corrects him. “But yeah, that’s the chance you take. Or you disrespect both women by leading them on.”

“I do not wish to disrespect anyone,” Felix mumbles. “I like both, but with Celine, we are already…” He makes a helpless little gesture.

“Getting horizontal?” Jordan supplies.

“Yes.”

“Then under no circumstances get naked with Hana,” Aiden says.

“This is my thinking also,” Felix sighs.

“And you.” Aiden gives me a look. “You need to step up to the plate, my friend, before you strike out.”

“Well, only if you want to score,” Jordan adds dryly.

“You’re a bunch of crude fuckers,” I tell them.

“But we’re not wrong.” Aiden shrugs.

“There’s more to life than scoring ,” I say.

“There is?” Jordan shakes his head. “Damn. I didn’t get that memo.”

“You don’t get it until your frontal lobe finishes growing,” Aiden says.

“Memo?” Felix looks confused again. “Did I miss memo? Is from Coach?”

I can’t hold back a groan, and Aiden shakes with silent laughter.

“I’m not explaining it to him,” Jordan says, chuckling.

“It’s okay, buddy.” I clap Felix on the shoulder. “You got the memo. I just don’t think it was in French.”

“What?” Felix is still confused, but Jordan just hands him another beer.

“Drink up. Don’t listen to Anders. He’s drunk and sexually frustrated.”

Well, he’s half right.

I’m definitely not drunk.