Chapter Fifty-Nine

Raquel called them into yet another meeting on the morning of their last segment. Natalie refused to even look at Darcy.

“I want to thank you for all the hard work the two of you have put into these segments. The ratings and viewer engagement has been better than we expected. Viewers love the two of you together. That means all of our viewers and not just the ones on the #PuckingHotties hashtag.” She chuckled. “When I hired you, I didn’t think you’d set the internet on fire but I’m glad you did.

“Which reminds me.” She paused to give each of them a stern look. “I don’t know what the hell is going on with the two of you, but I need you to make it through one more segment without the public knowing you’re ready to scream at each other behind the scenes, okay?”

Natalie rolled her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was flirt with Darcy today.

“Got it,” Darcy said without looking at Natalie.

“Good. Because your segment today will lead into the big USA-Canada game. We want people to see you two on the ice together and feel like they have to tune into the game.”

Natalie scowled. “Got it. We’re all here to make sure the princess succeeds.”

Hurt, Darcy glared at Natalie to cover up her emotions. “Who are we meeting at the rink?” Even if Natalie was going to act like a toddler, she could be professional.

Raquel glanced at her computer. “You’re meeting Lassiter and Cox.”

Natalie’s face crumpled. She recovered quickly, but Darcy saw it. Natalie forced a smile. “Aw, that’s great. Coxie is a good kid and Lassie will be good on camera.” Her leg bounced and seeing it made Darcy feel like her nerves were jangling, too.

“Anything else we need to know before we head out?” Darcy asked, hoping to god the meeting was over. Natalie looked ready to make a run for it.

Raquel waved a hand. “No. Go ahead. Have fun with your last segment.”

Natalie was out the door before Darcy could get out of her chair. Darcy chased her down the hall, walking as fast as she could without drawing the attention of the rest of the staff. She caught Natalie outside the bathroom.

“Natalie,” Darcy said gently.

Natalie shoved her hands in her pockets. For a second it looked like she was gearing up to fight, but instead her shoulders slumped, and she leaned against the wall.

“What are you doing here? You were pretty clear yesterday about what you think of me.”

Darcy suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. “Cox took your spot, didn’t she?”

Natalie sighed. “Yeah. I know it was inevitable. We all get old, right? But I really thought I had one more in me and then she showed up and...” Natalie took a deep, shuddering breath but no tears fell. “She’s good, Darce.” She looked up, her eyes shining with tears. “She deserved the spot.” She swallowed. “But that doesn’t make any of this easier.”

Darcy wrapped her arms around Natalie. Natalie stiffened before melting into Darcy’s arms. “Look, I know a thing or two about newbies showing up and being better than they have any right to be.”

Natalie laughed. “Is this you giving me a compliment?”

Darcy shook her head. “Who says I’m talking about you?” She let Natalie go. Things were still weird between them and in the office people didn’t know they were together. The internet’s theories about them were well-known, but they were still rumors at best.

Natalie wiped her face. “Come on, let’s do this thing. I plan to kick your ass all over the ice.”

Darcy smiled. “Good to know that even if you’re not speaking to me, that hasn’t changed.”

Natalie frowned. “You’re the one who claimed I didn’t deserve to be here.”

“That’s not what I said.”

Natalie shoved herself off the wall. “Forget it. We better not be late for our segment. Gotta make sure everyone tunes in for your big debut, LaCroix.”

Natalie walked away, leaving Darcy stunned. What the fuck was happening between them? One second things were great and the next Natalie was biting her head off. It wasn’t her fault that the network asked her to fill in for the hockey broadcast. Beyond that, this was her dream and if Natalie couldn’t support her then what were they doing together?

Darcy grabbed her coat on the way through the office, growing increasingly pissed off with each step.