Four

Madelyn’s POV

I can't fire him.

I can't even dream of it.

I tossed Damon's contract to the side with a groan. His buyout was ridiculously expensive, and the major reason I couldn't fire him was because we were broke.

My eyes drifted back to the finance folder sitting open on my desk, the pages covered in so much red ink it was genuinely irritating… we were bleeding money.

There was money coming in, sure, but nowhere near what this company should have.

I rubbed a hand over my face and stared at the numbers again, hoping they'd magically change if I looked long enough.

They didn't.

My gaze dropped to the employee list.

It's not what I wanted to do on my first week, but at least three people had to go if we were going to stay comfortable for a while.

The thought made my stomach turn.

My office door opened before I could think about it any longer, and Barbara walked in.

"Okay, I still find it very weird that your dad took his secretary," she said, dropping off more files

"Well, thank you for agreeing to work for me here too. We'll only be here for three months, so suck it up," I said with a slight laugh as I looked over the documents she'd brought.

"And I know things have been rowdy, but I've cleared your schedule for the weekend for the conference with the commissioner. The company didn't go last year, so this year is a must, and you'll be going with 'he who shall not be named.'" she said with a knowing smile while I groaned, dropping my head back against my chair.

Of course I was.

There was no way I could get out of not going. My dad had already told the commissioner I'd be there and now I had to take Damon.

"I mean, on the bright side, you can get closure or get to know him again." She walked over to the mini bar and reached for a bottle of wine. "I mean no offense and everything, but you haven't dated anyone since him, and it's been eight years. And lo and behold..." She pointed the bottle at me. "He's been delivered to you on a platter of gold. I call that destiny.”

"There you go again." I adjusted my glasses and shook my head. "How do you even believe in destiny..."

The words died in my throat because I wasn't one to judge. I used to believe in destiny too till my entire life was blown to pieces.

"Well, same way I believe in soulmates and he's been trying to set up a meeting too... when can I schedule him?" she asked, passing me a glass of wine.

I raised a brow at her.

"I know, I know. It's still work hours, but we haven't celebrated, and we always do for every milestone. We've been doing it for five years." She pointed at me with her own glass, I heaved a sigh collecting the glass

"Oh, and you have to be at practice now."

My stomach dropped.

I looked over at the clock.

Shit.

I set the wine down so fast some of it sloshed over the rim before practically running out of my office and down the hall toward the practice wing.

By the time I got there, the rest of the advisory board was already gathered, watching practice

"Sorry I'm a bit late, I got held..."

My words trailed off the second my eyes landed on Damon.

God.

He was covered in sweat, his hair sticking to his forehead as he demonstrated a play to the team. The ball moved easily through his hands before he passed it off and headed for the cooler.

I should've looked away.

Instead, I watched him grab a bottle of water and tip his head back. My gaze followed the movement of his throat before I caught myself and looked away but it only lasted two seconds because I went straight back to staring at him

Fuck me.

Then he used the hem of his shirt to wipe his face and suddenly a hand gently grabbed my jaw, and I blinked to see Barbara.

She pushed my mouth shut before stepping back.

Heat rushed to my face as I looked back to the members of my advisory board exchanging looks….Perfect.

Exactly what I needed.

The same people who already thought I wasn't qualified had just caught me drooling over the head coach.

"I'll review this practice in the video room..."

The whistle went off a few moments later, ending practice, and after a few words from Damon the players started heading out. I turned to leave too, only to glance in his direction and immediately regret it because he was already looking at me. The corner of his mouth lifted, and a second later he winked.

I rolled my eyes.

His chuckle carried across the court, and he shook his head before walking away.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I need to see the main arena for our home games since it's being redesigned," I said, already heading for the door while Barbara stayed behind to give them a few updates.

The truth was I didn't need to see the arena until it was finished, but I would rather walk through an empty construction site than spend another minute staying with those men while they insult me and definitely question every decision I make.

I kept walking and ignored the fact that the coaches' offices happened to be on that side of the building too.

Before I could make it to the main arena, I was suddenly pulled into a small storage room.A hand clamped over my mouth.

My heart jumped into my throat, and then just as quickly, the panic disappeared when my eyes landed on Damon.

Relief washed through me before anger and annoyance quickly took its place.

"Looking for me, love?" he asked, slowly pulling his hand away from my mouth.

"What is wrong with you?" I hissed, shoving him back. "Someone could literally walk in, and don't call me that, Mr. Torrence."

"Fine then, Ms. McCall." The corner of his mouth lifted. "Since you won't talk to me because we're at work, can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"

"If you want to talk to me then like every other employee, book an appointment with my secretary."

He let out a chuckle "You and I both know you told her to ignore my calls. I was on hold for three hours. Not that I'm complaining, but please, Davina ..." His smile faded slightly. "Let me take you to dinner so we can talk."

The word please hit harder than it should have,He wasn't really the type of man that would beg for anything and I hated that I could hear the strain in his voice.

For a second, I couldn't look at him.

He opened his mouth to say something else, but the door suddenly swung open.

"Hey, Damon..."

A player stepped inside before freezing.

"Uh..." His eyes bounced between the two of us. "Your wife's here, and she wants to see you…”