Page 50 of Hooking Up with the Hockey Player

“You’re doing great.” Reaching down, Tina gives her daughter a quick hug. “I know it’s hard to keep quiet for this long. I’m proud of you for doing your best.”

Shelby beams at her mother’s reassurance and turns back to me. “Do you think she’ll come?”

I glance at Tina out of the corner of my eye, and she just shrugs, effectively telling me that I’m on my own with this one. “Well, Anna has to work today, so I can’t ask her until later. I’ll let you know what she says.”

Clapping her hands, Shelby bounces with excitement. “Oh, I hope she says yes.”

Tina ruffles Shelby’s hair. “I think we all do,” she whispers. “Why don’t you go watch Bluey with Noah for now, though.”

“Okay!” she chirps, hugging her mom’s legs one last time before scampering away.

Tina waits for her to get settled on the couch before turning back to me, eyes twinkling again. “Is that really what happened yesterday?”

Shrugging, I nod. “Yeah. She showed me around downtown, which was the plan.” I fill her in on the art festival and root beer floats and heading back to Anna’s place.

“Well, that all sounds really promising. You two are so cute and wholesome, it’s enough to make me sick.”

I give her a disgruntled look. “Sweet and wholesome shouldn’t make you sick. That’s their job.” I jerk my head in the direction of Dozer’s room.

Tina chuckles. “Okay, fine. You’re right. Although, I wouldn’t say they make me sick so much as furious. But that’s another rant for another time. You better eat some breakfast and change into your swim shorts. The kids are gonna want to head down to the water soon. And since it’ll mean I don’t have to constantly shush them, the sooner the better, in my opinion.”

I give her a mock salute, and she punches me in the arm in retaliation. Grinning, I refill my coffee and pour myself a bowl of cereal. Waiting to talk to Anna might feel like torture, but playing with the kids will definitely help pass the time.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Anna

This is the longest Monday in the history of Mondays.

I’m not usually one for dramatics, and most of the time I enjoy my job. Sure, my boss is sometimes a pompous blowhard, but generally speaking, he’s not a bad boss. He’s happy with the way I run the office, our clients like me, and I make sure everything runs smoothly. He gives me free rein to organize things how I like, even letting me overhaul how the front office was set up after I took over. His daughter was the office manager before me, but she wasn’t the most organized person if what I inherited is anything to go by. It wasn’t terrible, mind you. But I’ve definitely improved the efficiency of the office, and I’ve made binders that detail all the systems so if I’m out sick, on vacation, or eventually replaced, they’ll be able to continue running smoothly with nothing more than a little hiccup.

Today, though, time seems to drag. From opening to lunch feels like a thousand years, though it’s no more than the usual few hours. And it’s not because I’m starving—I had my usual filling breakfast of overnight oats that I managed to toss together after Troy left. No, it’s because I’m dying to see Troy again.

When it’s finally lunchtime, I pull out my phone before my food, which isn’t like me. I tend to read or listen to an audiobook or podcast on my lunch break while I eat. But this time, I’m checking my phone to see if he’s texted me.

My heart leaps when I see his name and a text on my screen that came in shortly after I got to work.

Troy

Good morning! I hope you slept well. Can’t wait to see you again. Do you have any plans tonight?

My thumbs hover over the keyboard as I debate how best to reply.

None yet. But there’s this hot guy I’ve been spending time with lately. I’m hoping I might connect with him tonight.

As soon as I hit send, I wonder if that was a stupid response. I was going for playful and flirty, but maybe it’ll come off as trying too hard? Oh god. It probably does. Shit shit shit. I don’t think I can unsend it, though.

In the middle of typing out a response to backpedal the cringe of that text message, I get a response.

Troy

Oh yeah? He sounds pretty great. I bet he wants to hang out with you too

I think he’s pretty great

Troy

Do you want to come over to the cabin after you’re done with work? Or would you rather I meet you at your place? Oh, I should mention, that after Shelby heard we watched TV yesterday, she immediately extended an invitation for you to come over and watch Bluey, so if you come here, that’s probably going to be on the agenda.

---