Let’s have a look.” I go through the tax differences. “A three-million-dollar contract in Long Beach will give you more net salary than a three-million-dollar contract in Toronto.”
“Fuck.”
“But there’s more to it than that. Every NHL player is paid in American dollars, including those in Canadian cities. So you can make up the tax gap by being paid in US funds.”
“Depending what the dollar’s like.”
I smile. “Right. Some of your business courses coming back to you?”
He grins. “Maybe I did learn something in college.”
“The teams will be looking at it differently though. They’ll use the tax implications to justify why you can take a lower salary, so the team has more money to spend on other players, because your net salary will still be the same as someone who makes more in higher taxed cities.”
He frowns. “That’s bullshit.”
I shrug. “It’s what they’ll try. I’m not saying I’d go along with that.”
His face relaxes for the first time since I mentioned the Bears. “Christ, you’re smart, Kate.”
His words make my chest heat up, and the warmth flows into my cheeks. “Thank you. This is my job now.”
“It’s why I hired you.”
“That’s right. So. We also have to consider the cost of living in different cities.”
We continue our discussion through dinner, and when we’re done eating, I pull out my laptop and show Hunter the numbers I’ve come up with on my spreadsheet. “It’s more than numbers, obviously. You want to play for a team where you’re a good fit, and that’s a lot of intangibles. Things like the coach, who you’d play with, what their expectations of you are.”
“Right.”
“Okay. I’m ready to follow up with these teams. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Okay, great.”
“You can head home to Calgary, you know. You don’t have to be here.”
“Yeah, you said.” His voice holds an edge as if he feels insulted.
“I’m not trying to get rid of you,” I say with a laugh. To be honest, if he leaves it’ll be better for my focus, but I also feel a tiny twinge of disappointment at the thought of him not being here. Hunter’s brought a little spark of excitement into my life. I love my work, but the buzz of negotiating and making a deal isn’t quite the same as the tingle of flirting with a hot guy.
It has to be enough, though. I’m totally focused on building my career and I don’t need sexy tingles and sparks in my life. Especially from Hunter.
“What have you been doing with all your spare time now the season’s done?” I ask him.
“Working out, mostly. A few of the guys are still around and we’ve gone golfing, and boating. Speaking of golf, how’s your brother?”
“He’s a jerk.”
Hunter laughs. “Okay.”
I smile. “He’s fine, as far as I know. I don’t hear from him much. He’s on the PGA tour. I think he plays in Florida this week. He’s always traveling, it’s hard to keep track of him.”
“I’m surprised you’re not his agent.”
“We talked about it, actually. But I know nothing about pro golf.”
“The job of an agent is probably the same.”
“Yeah…but I think Ryan was tired of listening to his big sister. I’ve been riding his ass since our mom died, and he’s done with that.”
Hunter’s smile is sympathetic. “Just like that, they’ve grown up and left the nest.”
That makes me laugh. “Yeah. And now apparently I don’t even need to worry about my dad. He’s got a girlfriend.”
“Really. Good for him.”
“It’s…something to adjust to. But yes, it is good for him.”
“This is the first time he’s had a relationship?”
“Yeah.” One corner of my mouth lifts. “It was a surprise.”
“It can’t be that much of a surprise. He’s not that old. It makes sense he’d want to…” He stops.
I lift an eyebrow.
“Er…lay some pipe?”
I choke.
“Dip the schnitzel? Visit Mount Pleasant?”
I fall back in my chair, wheezing with laughter. “What! Oh my God.”
He grins.
“We’re talking about my father!” I swipe a tear escaping from eye. “Please. No more.”
“Sorry.”
He doesn’t sound sorry. He’s watching me with amusement and a heated look in his eyes. My belly does a flippety thing even though I’m still giggling. I haven’t laughed like this in a while.
“You always did kill me with your sense of humor,” I say. “You seem so serious and intense and then something hilarious comes out of your mouth. I think it’s even funnier because it’s so unexpected.”
“Believe me, I was happy to discover I still had a sense of humor.”
“I bet you were.” I shake my head. I still get