3. Francesca

3

FRANCESCA

I text Megan as soon as I get in the front door— letting her know I'm safe. She's disappointed I'm home early and sorry I didn't get lucky with the player.

The player?

How would she know? I don't know if I'd call Theo a player. He's a big flirt for sure, but it felt so good tonight. It made Florida and Jesse disappear from my thoughts. I can't remember the last time a guy flirted with me and wanted to take me home. Can't remember the last time I actually felt appealing— like someone wanted me.

The last time I wore that black dress, I barely got Jesse's attention. Now as I think back, I'm sure he had other things —or people, I should say— on his mind. I shake my head to push the memory away.

I can't sleep. I toss and turn for hours. The bed is more comfortable with my freshly washed sheets and expensive comforter, but it doesn't help. I can't get Theo off my mind.

My body finally gives way to sleep, and I have dreams about my sexy hero from the bar. The sweetest dreams I've had in months.

I get a phone call Saturday afternoon from Dr. Emma Mitchell, my new boss. She invites me to go out with some coworkers— kind of a welcome party.

We drive to Champlin Falls, which is a small community only a short drive from my apartment. The picturesque downtown area has the small-town essentials— a bar, a post office, a barber shop, and a hardware store on its main street.

The five of us get out of Emma Mitchell's SUV. Emma is dressed in casual jeans, a beautiful red sweater that compliments her dark complexion, and boots.

"We'll do introductions once we get inside so you can put names with faces," Emma says as she pulls open the door to the bar.

It's dark inside and the aroma of delicious food makes my mouth water. There's no doubt this place will most likely ruin my workout from this morning.

"Hope you're okay with bar food." We make our way to a booth in the back.

"Maybe it's easiest if we just go around the table and introduce ourselves."

A curvy girl who looks to be in her forties speaks first. "Hi, Francesca." She gives me a little wave from across the booth. "I'm Debbie. I'm the administrative assistant in the medical office… I make the appointments, make the coffee, and keep the records straight."

A woman with long blond curls smiles from across the booth. "I'm Paige Strong. I'm a registered nurse in the medical office. We'll be working together a lot. It's great to meet you."

"Thanks. You too, Paige."

The woman to my left turns to me. "I'm Rebecca Gladstone, one of the trainers for the players. Everyone calls me Becca."

Emma grins. "And, of course you already know me."

I rub my chin and point to each woman. "Debbie, Paige, and Becca?"

"Perfect," Debbie says as she grabs the menus from the holder and hands one to each of us.

We enjoy beers and mixed drinks along with the bar food. We laugh and get to know each other over dinner. They have me laughing so much, my cheeks are aching.

On Sunday, I finish unpacking and feel accomplished when I find a place for everything in my new home.

On Monday morning, my first day on the new job, I'm awake and feel well-rested. I peek out the curtain and let out a deep breath. The sunrise above the mountains is nothing less than spectacular.

I could get used to this.

I start my morning with a cup of steaming coffee and a hot shower. I dress in black yoga pants, a Frostwolves tee shirt, and nylon zippered jacket. I pull my hair into a high ponytail and add a little makeup. Blush, lip gloss, and a little mascara— nothing like my evening look at the bar the other night.

Bring on the new day!

Although the air is crisp and cold, the walk to the arena is refreshing. I arrive in plenty of time for the start of my first official day as a physician's assistant with one of the highest rated hockey teams in the league. My heart does a little flutter in my chest.

Emma arrives and we spend the morning discussing everything from work hours to what I can expect with my work for the team.

The head coach, Ryan Sullivan, joins us for a catered lunch in Emma's office. He's nothing like Coach Anderson with the Red Ravens. Coach Anderson is loud, boisterous, and has a bit of a temper.

Coach Sullivan seems calm and composed— someone players can look up to.

"You come to us very highly recommended from the Miami Red Ravens," Coach Sullivan says as he pops a potato chip into his mouth. "Not sure if Emma mentioned it or not, but the team has trainers and physical therapists, but we've never had a physician's assistant before. This is a bold new step for the team, and we're excited to have you here to give Emma a bit of a break."

I take a bite of my sandwich, chew, and swallow. "Thank you. I loved my work with the Ravens and I'm excited to get started with your players."

I'm a rock star. I have my own office in the complex— right down the hall from Emma. Besides working closely with her, I'll also work with the physical therapists and athletic trainers. I'll be a lot more involved in building conditioning programs for the athletes, which is exciting to me.

I plop down in my new office chair and do one spin.

Fancy. Better than the creaky chair in Florida.

My mind slips back to Florida. The embarrassment, the humiliation. The beating I took on social media and the mortifying articles in the tabloids.

Coming to Colorado with a clean slate is a relief. No one here knows what happened in Miami— expect for Robert Anderson, the general manager of the Frostwolves. He's the brother of Coach Richard Anderson of the Red Ravens. That's how I was able to escape my life as Francessca Russo. Taking on my mother's maiden name of Messina has allowed me to make a new life for myself.

My ex-fiancé, Jesse "Lefty" Lawrence is still on the Red Ravens team. Still pitching. Still making millions, and still seeing Whitney from what I hear. Even though I shouldn't, I still read about them online.

A tap on my half-closed door pulls me out of my thoughts. "Yes?"

A man in his fifties with graying hair and kind eyes pops his head in my door. "Fran?" He smiles. "Robert Anderson, general manager of the Frostwolves." He closes the door softly behind him.

My shoulders release, I rise from my chair, and go to him. He wraps me in an embrace. "How're you holding up?"

"Thanks for bringing me out here." We release our embrace.

He chuckles. "It was all on your own merit. . . Don't ever doubt that, young lady. Dick had only good things to say about you and I trust my brother. Besides, if you weren't a good fit, you never would've made it past HR and especially past Emma and Coach."

I nod. "Thank you."

"Just to put your mind at ease, I don't think anyone knows what happened in Miami. I haven't said a word, and I won't."

"I appreciate that."

"Nice to see you, Ms. Messina ." He puts an emphasis on Messina, gives me a wink and leaves my office.

I check the clock.

Only ten minutes until my first appointment of the day.

I grab the folder and read the information about Theodore "Moose" Thompson.

He's only been with the team for a year. He's been seeing the trainers and physical therapists for an injury to his shoulder three weeks ago. The injury came from a fight on the ice and his left shoulder got slammed into the boards by the opposing player during the scuffle. Moose had a one game suspension.

Paige taps on my door and steps into my office. "I had a great time getting to know you Saturday night. I'm so glad you joined us." She grins. "Are you ready for your first patient?"

I nod. "Absolutely." I follow Paige across the hall to my examination room.

"Theo Thompson is ready for you." She hands over a sheet with his vitals. I grab his folder and tap on the door.

"Mr. Thompson?"

"Come in."

I open the door, step inside and my stomach clenches when I see the shirtless specimen on my exam table.

No. No way.

I let out a small gasp.

" Theo ?"

Theo sits up a little straighter on the exam table, his eyes twinkle with mischief, and his broad tattooed chest is on fully display. "Well, look who's here."

I suck in a breath and my stomach drops. I blink several times as if to clear my vision.

I swallow hard. "What are you doing here?"

"Looks like I'm here to see you ." His smile could melt all of Colorado and sends my heart into cardiac overload. My knees are weak, and my mouth turns into the Sahara.

As I try to recover, I look down at the folder in my hand. " You're Theodore Thompson?"

"Moose," he corrects and gives me a panty melting smile. "Friends call me Theo." He winks.

I manage to take a chair to prevent myself from a face plant on the tile.

My mouth hangs open as I stare at his grin. "You're enjoying this."

"As a matter of fact, I find it rather amusing." He runs a hand down the back of his neck.

"Why didn't you tell me you're a hockey player for the Frostwolves?"

He shakes his head. "Come on, Francesca."

I want to wipe that smirk off his face.

"Sweetheart don't play dumb with me. You knew exactly who we were."

"What?"

He cocks his head. "You show up at a bar two blocks from the arena and to a bar called The Penalty Box? Seriously? No idea, huh?" He lifts an eyebrow.

I hold up a hand in surrender. "Seriously. I had no idea."

He laughs.