Romancing the Grump (Appies, #4)

by Jenny Proctor

“Hey, Tucker,” I say, eyebrows raised. “What’s up?” “Actually, I was just reading over the deferred compensation section of the AHL’s collective bargaining agreement, and I was wondering if you could explain the finer points of how that works.” I scratch behind my ear and stare, blinking for several long moments while my brain catches up to the moment. It’s not that I wouldn’t expect any of the guys to ask me legal questions, this one just takes me completely by surprise. I’m familiar with the AHL’s CBA, but I’m not even close to being able to answer questions like this one off-hand. “Tucker, I wish I could tell you I have the whole collective bargaining agreement memorized, but I’m not there yet. Can you give me a couple of days to read over it, and I’ll get back to you?” He smiles, his green eyes crinkling at the corners. “Sure. Thanks, Summer.” Two minutes later, Dumbo takes Tucker’s place and asks me an equally complicated question. This one doesn’t have anything to do with hockey, but it’s still loosely related to the law, so I stumble my way through as best I can. Dumbo doesn’t seem even a little bit interested in what I’m saying, but he smiles and says thank you just like Tucker did. When he gets up and Van sits down seconds later, I start to wonder if I’m being played. “Okay, here’s the situation,” Van says. “There are these fans who have started making hoodies with my face on them. I’m flattered, but they’re starting to sell them.” He leans toward me, eyes sparkli...