Page 61 of Risky Move

After Cassie sent Tom a text that she had arrived at the arena, he asked her to meet him after the game near the Suns’ family gathering room.

Tom: Took Uber here. Beg a ride home?

She showed Lauren the text. “No problem. Wise decision—told you he’s one of the good ones.”

Cassie relaxed and wandered over to the buffet, her appetite suddenly returning. She waved at Amelie near the bar, happy to see her friend.

“Feels like a century since we’ve talked.” Amelie greeted her with a hug.

“I looked for you at the Thanksgiving meal, but heard you and Chance had some quality time at the beach?” Cassie teased Amelie as she handed her a plate.

“Oh…that day wasmagnifique!”

“Couldn’t get him to come to Terri’s?” Cassie selected some fresh fruit and cut veggies.

“I tried…he’s really a private man. Never talks about himself or his family. When I ask him questions, he never answers. Says he lives in the present.”

Cassie waited until Amelie filled her plate. She led to a high-top table and didn’t speak until both perched on stools. “Does that bother you? Not telling you anything?”

“He’s given me the basics. Has an older sister in Québéc City, parents deceased. He won’t talk about past relationships, but said he’s not married ‘at this moment,’” Amelia laughed as she accented his words with air quotes.

“At this moment…what’s that supposed to mean?”

Amelie shrugged. “Who knows? Not married right now. Maybe divorced? Maybe not in a relationship with anyone else? He wouldn’t specify, except to say he expects us to be exclusive if we will be together.”

“Serious?”

“Who knows? I just go with the flow. I dislike juggling two guys, and if exclusive means he isn’t hooking up with random puck bunnies when he’s on the road, I’m good for now.” Amelie grinned as she looked at Cassie. “I hear you and the hunky hockey doc got together.”

“Where did you…? Never mind…Cam told you.”

“You know, Cam really likes you, in his way—even though he can’t stop flirting with every female he sees. He came home bummed after that Thanksgiving celebration. Said that I should have told him you and the good doctor had gotten together.” She raised an eyebrow, silently waiting for Cassie to give details.

“Did he tell you about what he termed a ‘misunderstanding’ the night of your party?”

Amelie shook her head. “Not a word. What did he do this time?”

Cassie lowered her voice to a near-whisper. Amelie shook her head as Cassie recounted the evening’s events. “He doesn’t understand why I told him ‘not interested.’”

Amelie laughed. “I love my brother, but he needs to grow up. And yes, I’ve told him…many times. Even sent him a few mind messages.”

“One of these days, some woman will change his thinking,” she predicted. “He’ll clean up his behavior to prove he no longer lives up—or down—to his reputation. Whoever it is will knock him off his feet.”

“Just hope it’s sooner than later. You wouldn’t believe the girls I’ve run into looking for coffee first thing in the morning.”

“TMI—I think the warmups are about to begin. Want to sit with us?”

* * *

After the game, Cassie followed Lauren and other players’ families to the gathering area near the Suns’ locker room. Not interested in the variety of drinks and snacks offered, she leaned against the doorframe, watching the locker room door.He should come out before any players, right? Unless there’s an injury he needs to address…or something with the visiting team. Hope not.

She didn’t wait long. A bag slung over his shoulder, Tom’s gaze fell directly on Cassie as soon as he exited the locker room. Despite the exhaustion etched in his face, Tom’s eyes warmed her like the sun. Without thinking, Cassie dashed to his side and hugged him tightly.

“I’m worried about you,” she admitted in a whisper.

Tom dropped the bag to the floor and hugged her. “No need to worry about me. I’m fine.”

Cassie pulled back to meet his eyes. “Define ‘fine.’ You don’t look ‘fine.’”

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