Page 122 of Rookie Rules

"So do you."

"Still answering compliments like incident reports."

The old ease reached Rowan before he could stop it. Not desire. Recognition of a language used often enough to become reflex.

"You're with Morrow Ridge now."

"Three years. Mostly contracts, fewer midnight calls about charity-auction permits."

"You hated those."

"I hated that you volunteered us before asking whether the date was possible."

A small smile crossed Graham's face.

Us.

The word pulled a memory into focus: Graham barefoot in his kitchen, writing foundation dates in blue on a paper calendar. He had kept blue for Rowan because the Wolves already owned so much red and black. Rowan had teased him about color-coding, then missed the first dinner marked in blue.

Across the lobby, Luca knelt beside a girl learning to settle a puck before shooting. He wore a Wolves jacket and the campaign-ready smile Claire had requested, but his attention to the child was real. He adjusted her lower hand, moved back, and celebrated when the puck rattled the target.

Graham followed Rowan's attention.

Then he gave Rowan the courtesy of turning away.

"I saw a report about the fragrance offer," Graham said. "A trade newsletter called it a near-complete deal."

"It is still a negotiation. And it isn't mine."

"I know."

The phrase carried too many possible meanings.

"Bennett seems good for the team," Graham continued.

"He is."

"That wasn't difficult."

"It was a hockey answer."

"I didn't ask a hockey question."

Rowan turned to the plans. Two sheets. Four classrooms. Storage built low enough for children to reach their own equipment. Tangible things with costs, measurements, and accountable decisions.

"How did you end up on this project?" he asked.

Graham accepted the change without making Rowan pay for it. "Morrow Ridge funded the second sheet. I negotiated the operating agreement. I didn't know tonight included players until last week."

"Neither did I."

"I assumed that. You would have prepared a less visible face."

Before Rowan could answer, the event coordinator waved from the shooting area. Rowan was due to open the next demonstration with Luca. He lifted two fingers in acknowledgment.

Graham noticed. "Go."

Rowan took one step before Claire intercepted him with a donor whose family name covered half the main entrance. The donor wanted to discuss transportation grants. Rowan listened, offered the foundation director's contact, and watched over the man's shoulder as the coordinator signaled again.