Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“I’ll ask.”
“Water will be fine if they don’t have it.”
I sneak a look at him. I guess, if I had to be forced into a beautiful dress and spend the evening at a glamorous event, at least I get to be on the arm of a tall, hot Swede. His shoulders are broad and he has a face that belongs in magazines. Strong, defined jaw, blue eyes and a smile that makes me remember what it feels like to want a man.
“Lundgren, Harry Gorman.”
A man with a jolly red face and bushy gray hair reaches for Magnus’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Gorman,” Magnus says.
“Harry. I’m a friend of McClain’s; taught him everything he knows.” He smiles wryly. “And I’m a big fan. Tell him I’ll be drafting your contract myself if he doesn’t move his ass.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Wish I’d been there for your hat trick. You’ll just have to do it again at home—I’ve got season tickets.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Harry claps him on the shoulder, grins at me, and walks back over to the group he was with.
Jules would know what to say here. She’d have the perfect words, and she’d understand what Harry meant about the contract. I’m just standing here, awkwardly silent, wishing the line would move faster.
“Did Coop tell you he asked for my mom’s phone number?” Magnus asks me, a corner of his mouth tilting up in a grin.
I laugh because that tracks. “He’s not shy.”
“He’s a good kid. He invited me over to play cars.”
“He’s loved cars since he started crawling.”
We reach the front of the line, and when Magnus asks for a Sprite, the woman behind the bar looks at him like he just requested chocolate milk with a straw.
“We have alcohol and water, sir. I think there’s lemonade somewhere, too.”
“Just a water and a Heineken,” he says.
It’s an open bar, but he leaves a twenty as a tip. He offers me his arm again, and we make our way over to the tables of auction items.
There are signed jerseys and pucks in frames, VIP luxury box seats to games, dinner for eight with a local private chef, a bourbon collection ... and the values listed on each item could buy a decent car.
“Remind me what a hat trick is,” I say.
“It’s when one player scores three goals in a single game. A natural hat trick is when one player scores three consecutive goals with no one else scoring between them.”
“And you did that?”
“Yes.”
I arch my brows, impressed. “Did you save anything from that game?”
“I have the puck from the third goal. The team kept my sweater from that night.”
“Maybe it’s up for auction tonight.”
He gives me another one of his crooked smiles. “I hope it helps a good cause.”
My gaze lingers on him a little too long, and I force myself to look away. This must be what it’s like to be Suki or Mara. I can’t imagine looking at a hot, kind, successful man and knowing he’s mine and the father of our children.
Jules and Noel approach us, Jules grinning confidently. “I might know someone who’s bidding on that week in a private beach bungalow in Hawaii.”
“It looks amazing.”
“It’d be a perfect honeymoon.”
“Excuse me.” A woman with short black hair in a long gold gown smiles at Magnus. “I’m Hudson McClain’s sister, Caroline. Our cousin’s daughter is dying to meet you.” She frowns, acting like she just noticed me on his arm. “Are the two of you together?”
Magnus drops his brows just a fraction, looking unsure how to answer her.
Caroline laughs. “I mean, I know you’re standing here together at this moment, but are you a couple?”
“No,” he answers. “We’re both here with a group of friends.”
Caroline’s face lights up. “Perfect.” She smiles condescendingly at me. “I’m just going to steal him for a bit; you don’t mind, do you?”
Hudson McClain must be important because Harry mentioned him giving Magnus a contract. I don’t want to ruin anything for him, so I pull my arm away from his.
“Of course not.”
Magnus still has a stormy expression, looking torn about leaving me alone.
“I’ll see you at the table,” I assure him.
Caroline grabs his arm and leads him away. Jules comes to stand beside me, her placid expression not matching the words she murmurs softly.
“What a fucking vulture. Let’s go sit down.”
She leads the way to our table, where Leo, Mara, Bash, and Lainey are all sitting.
“Where’s Maggie?” Leo asks Carter.
“Meeting someone.”
“Blair, you look gorgeous!” Lainey says.
She’s always sweet and friendly. Her red hair is past her shoulders now, styled into loose curls. Her deep-green dress is off the shoulder, a perfect style for her.
“Thanks, you too. I can’t take any credit for this; it was all Jules.”
“Who do you think picked my dress out?” she asks, laughing.
I set the tiny black clutch bag I borrowed from Jules on the table, wishing I could take my phone out of it. I’m out of my element here, especially without Magnus to talk to.