It started out like any other Tuesday.
I spent twelve hours writing algorithms for one of the largest companies in the world and then came home to work on a pet project of mine—feeding facts about the men I knew into a formula to find my perfect match before my twenties came barreling to a close.
But then a man knocked on my door and handed me some papers that turned my life upside down.
Apparently, a father I never knew existed had left me something in his will. That something turned out to be part ownership in a professional football team.
Next thing I knew, I was learning a sport I knew nothing about by spending time with the team’s quarterback who was out with an injury, a man who my formula would definitely determine was all wrong for me.
Christian Knox was too handsome and confident for his own good and could have any woman he wanted. Only lately the only woman he seemed to want was me.
But there was no way I was getting involved when I was now his boss, even if he was insanely gorgeous and had the dirtiest mouth I’d ever come across.
It would be wrong, wouldn’t it?
Probably. But you know what they say about things that are wrong...sometimes they feel so right.
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“IN THE END…
We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”
? Lewis Carroll
CHAPTER 1
* * *
BELLA
“I still cannot believe this is all yours…” Miller ducked his head to look out the passenger-side window from the driver’s seat.
“It’s not all mine—twenty-five percent is owned by an investment group.”
“Whatever. You’re still the queen of that castle. Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”
I glanced over at the imposing building. “I love you for offering, but I think this is something I need to do by myself.”
“Okay. But I don’t have to be at the office until this afternoon, so if you change your mind, just give me a call.” He winked. “You may need an assistant to go ahead of you into the locker room and make sure all of those sweaty football players are decent before you walk in.”
I leaned over and kissed Miller’s cheek with a chuckle. “You’re such a giver. Thank you again for driving me.”
I opened the car door and paused, taking a deep breath as I stared at the tremendous arena. Up ahead was a guy wearing a hoodie and carrying what looked like at least a dozen pizza boxes.
Miller pointed. “Shouldn’t you go in a different entrance than the delivery people?”
“I have no damn idea. But if my lovely siblings have anything to do with it, I’m sure my entrance will lead straight to a dungeon.”
“Don’t let those spoiled, rich pricks intimidate you. And straighten your damn glasses. They’re crooked again.”
I sighed and pushed my glasses up my nose. “I’ll do my best.”
The walk from the parking lot to the entrance of Bruins Stadium felt a lot like walking a gang plank, especially since I knew there were sharks waiting for me inside. When I got close to the door, I noticed a few people milling around with cameras. I wasn’t sure if they were here for me, since I’d had people camped out in front of my apartment again lately, or if maybe they’d come because the players were practicing today. But I lowered my head to avoid eye contact and kept walking until I was safely inside. A security officer stopped me two steps into the building.
“Can I help you?”
“Ummm, yes. I work here.”
“Never saw you before. New?”
I nodded. “Today is technically my first day.”
He picked up a clipboard. “Name?”
“Bella Keating.”
He scanned his list and pointed to the X-ray machine a few feet away. “Just like the airport. Cell phones, laptops, and any other electronic devices have to be removed from your bag and run through the machine. When you’re done, wait on the yellow line to be called before walking through the metal detector.”
I followed the instructions and set my cell phone in a small round dish before placing my laptop in a larger gray tray. Two more security officers stood talking on the other side of the metal detector while I waited on the yellow line. Up ahead, I watched as the pizza guy with the hoodie stopped to talk to a woman. She twirled her hair and giggled at something he said before he got into the elevator car and disappeared. A few seconds later, the doors to the adjoining car slid open and a young guy wearing a suit walked out. His nose was buried in his phone as he strolled toward security. When he finally looked up, his eyes widened and his casual amble turned to a sprint. I glanced behind me, wondering who he was running for.
“Ms. Keating! I’m so sorry I’m late.” He frowned at the two security guards who, until now, had been ignoring me in favor of quoting stats about last weekend’s game, while I waited patiently on the yellow line as instructed. “Excuse me. Do you know who this is that you have waiting?”
The guard who had checked my ID shrugged. “Last name’s Keating, right? She’s new here.”
Suit Guy put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “And what’s the name of the new owner of the team? The person whose name will be on your next paycheck?”
The guard’s eyes grew wide. “Holy crap. You’re Ms. Keating?”
I hesitated before nodding. “Yes, I’m Bella Keating.”
“I’m very sorry.” He took my elbow and guided me to walk through the metal detector. It buzzed as I passed through, and I stopped, but the guard waved it off. “It’s fine. You don’t need to go through security at all.”
The young guy in the suit shook his head. “I’m sorry, Ms. Keating. I wasn’t expecting you until later. I was coming down to make sure security knew you would be here today, and to tell them to call me as soon as you arrived.” He extended his hand. “I’m Josh Sullivan, your assistant. Well, I mean, I was Mr. Barrett’s assistant. We’ve spoken on the phone a few times.”