Page 203 of Wild Card 13

“That is usually how travel after games works.” He rubbed Dottie’s ear once more before straightening. “Charter got in a little while ago. Car service dropped me at the lot. My truck was still here from when we left.”

That made sense. It was normal. Practical. Professional. Players left vehicles in secured staff areas all the time around road trips, depending on travel schedules and departure windows.

It did not explain why he was standing outside my office instead of getting into his truck and driving home.

I folded my arms, then immediately unfolded them because it felt too defensive. “Congratulations on the win.”

His eyebrows lifted slightly. “You watched?”

“I monitored.”

“That’s sexier than watching.”

“Don’t make me regret congratulating you.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” But his smile warmed. “Thank you.”

“Two assists,” I babbled on.

The warmth in his face shifted into something softer. More pleased than smug. “You monitored thoroughly.”

“It’s my job.”

“Right.”

Dottie turned in a circle at his feet and then looked back at me as if to ask whether I planned to invite him inside or continue embarrassing all of us.

I cleared my throat. “You can come in if you’re going to stand there making my dog disloyal.”

“She’s got taste.” Ty stepped into the office, but only just. He did not take the chair across from my desk. Did not move too close. Did not claim the room with that effortless, restless energy that usually made every space seem like it had been waiting for him to arrive.

He stopped near the doorway with his hands in the pockets of his coat, eyes moving once over my desk. The legal folder. The open email. The takeout container.

His eyes came back to my face, and the humor thinned. Not disappeared. Just made room for something more careful. “You look tired, Lucy.”

My name in his mouth after Ms. Thomas felt too intimate in the quiet office.

I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “You just played a professional hockey game at altitude, flew home, and came here after midnight. I’m not sure you have the moral high ground on tired.”

“I was just noticing.”

“That sounds dangerous too.”

“It is with you.”

My pulse moved once, hard enough that I felt it in my throat.

Ty’s gaze flicked to Charlotte’s email again.

I clicked the screen dark before I thought better of it.

His attention returned to me. “Bad night?”

“No.”

He tilted his head.

I sighed. “Long night.”