Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
When he skates to his right, Max darts a couple inches to his left, protecting the side of the net where Riggs is aiming. Riggs doesn’t shoot though. A millisecond later he passes the puck to me. Ivan’s looming nearby, menacing. I take my chance, sending that baby soaring past the posts. The puck lodges in the twine. The horn blares, and a goal pops up on the scoreboard.
Yes!
I clap Riggs on the back, then Ivan.
“That’s the way we do it,” Riggs shouts, buoyant.
“Let’s get some more,” Ivan seconds.
Lake races over. “You’re on fire tonight,” he says.
My gaze swings to center ice where Mabel’s up on her feet, cheering, right next to her brother.
My heart sprints, but then stalls. All my worries slam right back into me. The game, my kid, the bakery, my friendship, and most of all…her.
What am I doing with all of this? How the hell am I managing all these things in my life? The questions I’ve been asking all season loom above my head like storm clouds. But one more look at her—cheering, exuberant, fearless—and the storm cloud vanishes.
I’m just doing it.
I’m managing it somehow.
I’m tempted to skate over to her, or give her some sort of searing you’re mine look, but this peaceful, easy feeling in my chest is enough for me right now.
Someday.
Somehow.
After I hop over the boards and sink down on the bench, I grab my water bottle covered in stickers that Charlotte’s sneaked on. I down a thirsty gulp. When I set it on the floor, my brain feels calm.
Finally, I don’t feel torn between hockey and my attraction to her. Maybe because I’ve accepted this attraction isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
It’s staying, because it’s so much more than attraction. It’s deep and real, no matter how forbidden my business partner might be.
We skate through the tunnel with a W. When I reach the corridor, Remy’s there with her tablet, congratulating us. “Now don’t forget, we have an upcoming teddy-bear toss before the holidays. Well, a fox toss, but you get the idea.”
Lake grumbles as he rips off his helmet. “A fox toss? Don’t those get old?”
She’s undeterred, smiling his way, all bright and sunshine. “They never get old, Lake.”
“Beg to differ,” he mutters.
“Oh, hush. It’ll be great.”
“It will,” someone else says.
I turn to see some dude in a vest and an undercut. Judging by the way he sets a hand on Remy’s arm, he must be her boyfriend.
Lake scowls, and yup—that scowl’s directed at Mister Too Hip.
But I push thoughts of them out of my head when my attention snags on someone else. Striding toward us is none other than my best friend and the woman in a lilac jersey that I bought for her.
Sure, I saw her in it the whole game, but now I can savor it since I’m off the ice—the way she looks like she was meant to wear my number, in a shirt that I bought her, with the V-neck and all, with her hair twisted up in a scrunchie that I’ve used on her. It’s like everything has a double meaning for us and it’s driving me a little wild.
That’s a problem, though, since my whole damn team’s surrounding us, along with Theo.
He holds his arms out wide, directing his attention to Lake. “The fans love the fox toss. We’re doing a couple in the new year, so get ready. And let’s all embrace the chance to give back like that since it’s for charity. And for the record, that was an excellent game.”
After the team nods their thanks and filters toward the locker room, Theo hangs behind in the corridor, tapping the back of Mabel’s jersey. “We need to get you a custom one that says Afternoon Delight too. I swear you two need to market the llama-loving baker and the baking hockey player.”
I roll my eyes, but he’s got a point. “Fine, fine. We’ll get on that stat.”
“I’ll order one tonight. Will that make you happy?” she says to him.
“Yes. I like it when people do what I say.”
I laugh. “I know. Trust me, I know.”
He nods my way. “Nice job out there.”
“You were definitely the hockey-playing baker tonight,” Mabel seconds.
Her praise makes my pulse jump. It’s annoying feeling this way about her in front of him, but I’d better get used to it. Because—dammit—she’s having a happiness effect on me. I feel ridiculously good near her, even though I probably shouldn’t, considering I’m lying to her brother. Someday I’ll say those words to him—I’ve got it bad for your sister. But not today. Not till she’s ready. If she’s ever ready.
I’ve made my choice—to have this secret fling with her, no matter the cost.
But for now, I turn my attention to Theo. “Why are you so happy tonight? Is it just the win?”