Page 154 of Tempting Miles
Summer camps at the rink were a massive success.
Xander ended up hiring two more coaches because families were driving from as far as Winston-Salem just to enroll theirkids.
Madison—the little girl Penny promised to help if she kept her grades up and managed to recruit enough girls for an all-female hockey team—came through.
The Ice Queens had an incredible first summer camp and would officially start their fall season in a couple of weeks.
Tomorrow, we’re hosting a private event at the rink to thank all the coaches and staff for an amazing first summer and kick off the fall and winter programs.
It's the kind of problem I've always wanted to have—too much success and not enough hours in the day.
So when I pull into the driveway after work, I'm looking forward to nothing more than seeing Penny.
Except her car is nowhere to be seen.
I frown and take out my phone to check the shared calendar to make sure I didn’t forget an appointment or activity.
Nothing.
A knot forms in my stomach. Where the hell is she?
Instead of spiraling into worst-case scenarios, I call her.
She answers on the second ring. “Hey, hotstuff.”
Relief hits me the second I hear her voice. But she sounds drained.
“Hey, sugar. Everything okay? Where are you?” I stay parked in the truck just in case I need to pick her up somewhere.
She exhales loudly. “I finally had the conversation with Gio.”
I tense up.
“I had to tell him I can’t keep working as his financial advisor full-time. The baby’s coming soon, and I want to slow down and take at least six months of maternity leave.”
“How did he take it?”
Not because I think Gio would react badly, but because I know how much Penny’s job means to her. She loves what she does.
“He was shocked initially, but once I explained what you and I want to do moving forward, he understood.” She laughs quietly. “He said he might have to stop being a billionaire because there’s no one else he trusts with his investments.”
I snort a laugh, and she joins in a second later.
“Knowing Gio, he’d probably survive being downgraded to regular millionaire status.”
“Yeah, because beingjusta millionaire is such a hardship,” she says, pressing the back of her hand against her forehead like she’s suffering.
I laugh harder.
“Ha. Says the millionaire.”
“So,” I change the subject, already impatient to see her, “are you on your way home or do you want me to come get me?”
“Aw. Her voice turns playful again. “Are you antsy to see me, Mr. MacAllister?”
“Always.”
“Aww, hotstuff. If we weren’t already together, I’d think you were trying to get in my pants.”
