Page 276 of Wild Card 13

She lifted the glasses with two fingers. “His reading glasses and the notes he swore he did not need.”

I smiled despite myself. “That sounds like Dan.”

“It’s a gift,” she giggled, stepping closer. “His ability to leave the house with half of his life and full confidence.”

Dottie rose from her post by the door and sniffed Hadley’s sneaker with great seriousness.

Hadley’s face softened immediately. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“This is Dottie,” I offered. “She’s currently in mourning.”

Hadley crouched and offered her hand. “Over the season?”

“Over a missing pup cup.”

“Devastating.”

Dottie pressed her head into Hadley’s palm like Hadley had been personally placed in the hallway for emotional support.

Hadley smiled, and something about it lodged itself in me. She did not rush the affection. Did not squeal. Did not make Dottie into a performance. She just stayed still and let my dog decide what came next.

“You still helping your dad survive the end-of-season paperwork?” I asked.

Hadley glanced toward the coaches’ corridor. “Mostly I’m preventing him from pretending he can read twelve-point font from three feet away.”

“Heroic work.”

“Someone has to protect the organization.”

“That’s what I keep saying.”

Her laugh was soft.

Down the hallway, Zee reappeared at the far end, walking backward for two steps while talking to one of the trainers. His gaze flicked our way for half a second. Not long enough to mean anything.

Her posture changed by almost nothing. A little stillness. A little awareness. Then she looked back at Dottie and smoothed one hand over her ear.

Interesting.I filed that away where I kept things that were not my business but were absolutely my business eventually.

“You’ll be at Bea and Alois’s wedding, right?” I asked.

Hadley looked up. “If my dad remembers to tell me what time we’re leaving.”

“Text me,” I offered before I could overthink it. “I’m helping with some of the logistics. I’ll make sure you have the details.”

Her eyes warmed. “Really?”

“Really. And if the hockey men start moving floral arrangements because they think they’re helping, I may need backup.”

“I’m very good at telling brutes to put things back where they found them.”

“I suspected.”

Hadley stood, still smiling. “Thanks. I’ll text you.”

I gave her my number, and she tucked it into her phone with the same careful focus she seemed to give everything. “Good luck today,” she said.

“You too. With the delivery mission.”