Page 60 of Icing It

I grind my teeth, then say tightly, "When I tell her that I'm head over heels in love with you and here to sweep you off your feet she’ll hurry over to let me in.” I pause. I give Alexsei a confident and reassuring nod.

He shakes his head.

Luna snorts. “No one is going to believe you’re in love with me. You’re not that good of an actor.”

"You underestimate how much people want other people to be in love. She's your best friend and she's madly in love and she wants you to be madly in love. Better yet, madly in love with two guys. Better yet another hockey player who her boyfriend really likes. She’ll have visions of double dates and your babies being best friends. Open your fucking door before we have to make this dramatic."

I hear a sigh again, but she doesn't say anything, and a moment later there's a buzz and a click.

I yank the door open and immediately start up the steps, with Alexsei on my heels.

Luna already has the door at the top open. She has her shoulder propped against the doorjamb and her arms crossed as if she's not about to let us across that threshold.

She still has the black leggings on that she wore to the game. But her feet are bare now, and she's changed into an oversized sweatshirt that hits her about mid-thigh. Her hair is down and loose and she looks gorgeous.

Alexsei is staring at her like she’s a goddess and he steps forward immediately. "Hi.”

“Hi.” She gives him a soft smile.

But I jump right in. She has the power to hurt him and I can’t let that happen. I also strongly suspect that if I’m not bossy enough, the two of them could easily cut me out of whatever they do going forward. "You need to quit fucking around,” I tell her.

She lifts a brow. "Excuse me?"

"If you're ready to date Coach Phillips then you're ready to date Alexsei."

She looks at Alexsei. "You want to date me?”

He nods. “I do.”

She looks at me, narrowing her eyes. "And what do you want?"

"I want you to date Alexsei." I do. It will make him happy.

She eyes me for a second, then looks at him again. "You have to talk to me. Tell me if you want to see me. Ask me out."

He squares up. “I’m crazy about you. I’ve thought about those days together every damned day since. I want more. Please let me take you out. All the time.”

“I can’t do anything all the time,” she says quickly.

He nods. “Let me take you out whenever you can and want to.”

She studies him. Then wets her lips and asks, “Do you want to come in?"

He nods quickly. "I really do."

She steps to the side, giving him space to pass by. But she steps in front of me when I start to move forward. "I want to go out with him. Where do you think you're going?"

I just stare at her for a moment. God she’s a pain in the ass. And there are a few things we need to get straight. I look at Alexsei, who’s still beside me. "Go on in. I'll just be a minute."

There is electricity between Luna and I and I know Alexsei picks up on it and it concerns him. But I also know that he’s not leaving this apartment until she agrees to be with him. So Luna and I need to come to an understanding.

He finally moves past her. I watch as he trails his palm over her stomach as he does, leaning over to press a kiss to the top of her head. I also note how her eyes drift shut, and she makes a sweet humming sound as he touches her.

I really want her to take care of him.

Alexsei heads into the apartment and drops onto her couch.

Then Luna looks up at me.

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