Page 7 of Icebound Attraction

This is it. The burning question. There had to be one...

“I organize myself accordingly. Of course, training takes time, but I don't give up on my classes. It's very important,” I lie.

I note that she frowns slightly, adding an extra charm to her concentrated air.

You're the one who should be concentrating, Liam!

“Yet you don't seem to be in the lecture halls very often...”

“Is it an interview for the sports paper or a report for the attendance office?” I retort, suddenly annoyed.

“Oh... I... Sorry... I didn't think my question would bother you.”

She scratches her forehead feverishly, rereading her notes.

“As captain, what message would you like to pass on to your teammates and fans after this game?”

“I'm proud of their performance. If we don't give up, we can qualify. As for the fans, their unfailing support is invaluable. It's their encouragement that pushes us to surpass ourselves,” I reply calmly.

She seems to notice that my tone of voice is more neutral, and scribbles a few more words before looking up at me. Two lakes, a perfect blue, where I lose myself for a moment.

“Would it be possible for us to debrief like this at the end of the next few games?” she suggests, a little embarrassed.

I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a choice. And anyway, I don't have it either.

“Are you asking me out, Emily?” I suggest, to lighten the mood, and also because I can't help myself.

Suddenly, her cheeks turn a lovely shade of red and I notice her body tense up.

“I... No... It's... er... for the paper...” she stammers.

“I was only joking,” I assert, trying to throw her off balance.

“Ha... Right... Um, so?”

“Yes, we can do that. We'll meet up at the end of the games.”

She nods, satisfied, her face still tinged with pink. Her blond hair sweeps across her shoulders for a moment, and I watch her in spite of myself, my eyes squinting.

Is the hunt on, Liam?

“Well, thanks Liam for taking the time.”

“Thank you for your professionalism, Emily.”

I give her my most charming smile and she takes her leave, smiling slightly. I watch her a moment longer, registering the movement of her body as it leaves my field of vision. Coach Franklyn's words echo in my head. It'll be far from easy not to flirt with her, but I've behaved relatively well today.

Anyway, she was attentive and seemed genuinely interested in who I was - outside of ice hockey. In a way, it felt good to talk to someone who didn't just see me as the team captain or the campus womanizer. I can't remember the last time someone really listened to me.

She also seems smart and passionate. It's a change from the girls I usually hang out with.

I shake my head.

It's my last year at university and I want to be spotted by an agent to have a better chance at the draft. It's her professionalism I can count on, not her killer ass or her charisma!

“How did the interview go?”

Coach Franklyn's voice draws me out of my thoughts.

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