Free Breakout (A Dallas Demons Hockey Romance) by Aven Ellis Page B

the road.
    “Lexi?”
    I jerk my head up to see a younger guy approaching me.
    “I am,” I say, smiling at him as I drop the gloves into my tote.
    He extends his hand and smiles at me. “Jake. Welcome to TATS. You ready to come on back?”
    I pick up my coffee and nod eagerly. “I’m so happy to be here.”
    I start walking with Jake, down the long corridor I walked with Niko only days before. Has it only been days? It feels like it’s been weeks!
    “We’re grateful for the help,” Jake says. “We’ve been short staffed, and the Demons magazine show could use someone with a hockey background. Niko says you fit the bill perfectly.”
    I smile, thinking of how wonderful it is to have Niko believe in my ability like this.
    He knows I can do this , I think.
    And I know it, too.
    “I love hockey,” I say. “I’ve been a fan for as long as I remember.”
    Jake laughs. “That’s what Niko said. For a moment I had to give him a hard time about suggesting you. I asked him if he was trying to get his girlfriend on board because he was so adamant you’d be a good fit.”
    My heart stops beating. I nervously glance at Jake.
    “Oh, really?” I say, trying to sound casual.
    But if Jake picked up on Niko’s interest from the way he was talking about me . . .
    “Yeah, but he laughed and said there was no ulterior motive. He said he doesn’t date in house , if you know what I mean. Niko said you were a talented editor that both he and Ryan could vouch for. And you were passionate about hockey, so that was his motivating factor for bringing you on board,” Jake explains.
    My stomach turns over as I absorb Jake’s words.
    Niko was simply being nice to his future editor .
    I realize Niko is just one of those good guys—who treats people who do good work in an effort to recognize them.
    I grip the Starbucks cup in my hand a little tighter.
    This drink was a welcome to work latte.
    It wasn’t his way of showing affection, like I stupidly allowed myself to believe.
    It is no different than the breakfast he bought for Nate and Harrison this morning, I realize painfully.
    And as it hits me, my heart squeezes inside my chest so hard it hurts to breathe.
    I force myself to focus on Jake, who leads me to my work area, explains Wyatt will be in later this morning to go over my schedule, but in the meantime I can fill out all my paperwork so I’m ready to go when Wyatt comes in.
    I smile at Jake, nod, and take a seat in my new cubicle. As soon as he’s out of sight, I draw a deep breath of air, trying to loosen the pain in my chest.
    We never even had an official date, and I let my crush on Niko grow wild. Niko himself even said it was drinks to celebrate our firsts—his as a Demons producer and mine of creating an open for TV.
    He couldn’t have been any clearer.
    And as for wanting to see me when he gets back? As a friend at the most. After all, he’s new here. It’s probably nice to have someone to grab drinks with.
    It doesn’t mean he’s interested.
    And obviously he’s not.
    I force myself to look down at the papers in front of me, but it’s hard to concentrate. I should be elated, because in an hour Wyatt will be here and my career will begin.
    But instead my elation is tempered by the realization that Niko and I will only be friends.
    Ugh. I finally meet someone who is special and kind and smart. Who shares my interests. And to top that all off, a man who is sexy as hell and that I’m insanely attracted to.
    But we’re going to be coworkers.
    Nothing more.
    I’ll have to learn to deal with it.
    I lift my head and take another breath of air. Then I glance to my right and notice the name on the frosted glass panel next to the office door.
    Niko Xenakis, Producer .
    My stomach rolls over.
    Apparently I’m supposed to forget all about him with him working no less than fifteen feet away from me.
    And I don’t know how on earth I’m going to do it.

Chapter 11
    The One Online Dating Service Profile Question: