So I told the story for what felt like the bazillionth time. Then I followed it up with the camp situation and how I'd come up with a solution.
"It sounds like you've got everything under control after your meeting with Aunt P."
We never called her Aunt P to her face for obvious reasons. "I'm lining up volunteers. Which is where you come in."
Annika said, "Hit me with it."
"Can I talk to Lucy about her summer plans for Mimi and if she would be interested in sending Mimi to camp and teaching craft classes?"
"Every day for the entire summer?"
I shook my head. "Three days a week, six hours a day."
"Why are you asking me?"
"Because you're her boss. If you can't spare her I'd understand."
"I'm sure she'd be all over it. Especially since she won't lose income by helping out."
I hadn't thought of that. "What do you mean?"
"Any LI employee who volunteers for an LCCO event is paid their regular salary." Her eyes searched mine. "You're on the LI board of directors, Jens. How did you not know that?"
I shrugged. "Some of that shit bores me to tears, so I tune out during the meetings."
"You and Walker." She smirked. "And I suspect Dad is right there with you guys. Anyway, things are projected to slow down in our department during the next couple of months, so the timing is good."
"So I can ask her?"
"Yes. But if she says no . . . I won't get involved, okay?"
"Deal." I started to get up.
"Ah ah ah, not so fast." She pointed at me. "Park it. Tell me more about Rowan. Because you've got it bad for her."
"She and I are friends. That's it."
"Right. That's why you're going to all this trouble for her kid."
I kept my cool demeanor. "First off, I had to come up with a project for LCCO anyway. This one fits the parameters. Second, she's my friend's sister. Martin wouldn't want me messing with her. Third, Rowan breaks every one of my rules. I could look the other way if it was just one, but it's all three. Fourth, she doesn't date athletes."
Annika laughed.
"What's funny about that?"
"You. Trying to convince me that any of that matters. The fact that she breaks all your rules is a cosmic clue and a celestial sign that you should just toss out the rule book."
I scowled at her. "You've been hanging out with Dallas too much if you're talking about cosmic clues and celestial signs."
She leaned forward. "Nope. Still haven't convinced me."
Screw it. I drained my coffee like it was a tequila shot. "You're right. Rowan is amazing. She's smart. She's so damn devoted to her son and for some reason I find that incredibly hot. She's funny. And sweet. But she's not a pushover. That red hair fits her fiery personality perfectly. She doesn't act fake nice to me because I'm famous and rich and then she's a raging bitch to everyone else. She's genuinely nice." I blew out a long breath and ran my hand through my hair. "Calder's dad, a pro football player, screwed her over, so she's all ‘pass' when it comes to athletes-especially pro athletes. And worst of all, at least from my side, is that I didn't have a clue that she's been a Vikings cheerleader the entire time I've been part of the team. Oh, and she cheered for the U of M football team too." I felt my cheeks heat. "So yeah. I'm the stereotypical egotistical football player who doesn't see anything in the stadium beyond my teammates standing on the sidelines and the damn end zone. How would I ever make up for that dickhead behavior?"
"You can't. But I think it's great you're trying to redeem yourself even when there's no chance the two of you will ever have a romantic relationship."
I bristled. Even my sister didn't have faith I could overcome Rowan's perception of me.
Annika pointed at me. "Oh, wipe the mulish look off your face, Jens. If you showed her the sweet, charming Jensen I know and love, she'd be all over you. I'm just saying it's too bad the NFL has that stupid rule about cheerleaders and players not getting involved."
As I'd gotten to know Rowan, I'd conveniently forgotten that rule. Which, now that I thought about it, bordered on infringing on personal freedom. Why did the national organization believe they had the right to tell me who I couldn't date?
"Although technically," she said slyly, "with you being on the injured reserve list, you're not an ‘active' player until the coaching staff officially deems you eligible."
I stared at her. "You scare me sometimes."