Page 17 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

I think he's going to kiss my hand. I'm not prepared for this at all. Am I supposed to bat my eyelashes coyly like an eighteenth-century debutante? Can I make myself blush prettily on purpose? Is it getting hot in here?

"Bro! Move on." My next date has stepped up beside Matt, and he taps his shiny wristwatch dramatically. "Time's up."

Matt sets my hand down, and the glare he gives the other guy is much too similar to the one he uses when he stares down an opponent on the ice. Shiny wristwatch guy flinches and then straightens his pink polo-covered shoulders and lifts his chin.

"Treat her like a lady," Matt tells him, before he walks to the next table.

The rest of the night is filled with men that just don't measure up to Matt. The rest of Ben's hockey friends filter through, some subtle while others aren’t, as they ask for tickets to games. The short one even asks if I'll get him the team's autograph. They spend so much time gushing with their love for the team and hockey, I make sure to check no on my card for each and every one of them. Hockey and Lou fill enough of my days, the last thing I want is for it to fill all my free time too.

When the Sweetheart Shuffle finally comes to an end I take my time at my table. I'm making sure my card is filled out, when I see the spot by Matt's isn't. I didn't have time between Matt and shiny wristwatch guy. Even without meeting the love of my life, I don't regret spending tonight speed dating. I have a quest now, be better at the work-life balance thing, and discover what else I can do with who I am. I am kind and smart. I smile as I think about Matt's words.

"I hope that smile means you have a hot date set up." Maria says as she slides next to me, Lou not far behind her. "And it better not be number five. I call dibs."

The snort, that's far from ladylike, comes out of me without any warning. "Mama's Basement five?" I ask.

She shrugs. "I like a family man."

Lou glowers at her. "I'll show you a family man."

"What does that even mean?" Maria asks him.

He leans closer to her, and she stands her ground. "Someone that's never grown up enough to live without the apron strings isn't worthy of you."

"I happen to like aprons." Maria snaps back.

"That's not what I meant." Lou groans.

Completely ignoring Lou she looks at me. "I need to head home so I can get some sleep before I have to put on my apron tomorrow."

"Do you need a ride?" I ask her. "My car is out front."

She pulls out her phone. "I'll order an Uber. It's too bad Charlotte never made it."

Lou is scowling at her as he says, "You're not getting in a stranger's car. I'll drive you."

She rolls her eyes. "How about not."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lou asks. "I live right by you, we're literally going in the same direction."

Maria just shakes her head at him and walks out the door, with Lou following after.

Work the next day is going as well as cheese-grating a rock, as my grandma used to say. Hard, and doesn't serve a purpose. The meeting with finance to go over the budget for the rest of the month is the worst part of my job. Tiffany always takes the opportunity to scrutinize my expenses and requests down to each penny. While I can appreciate the desire to account for it, the entire process doesn't help with my headache. If I don't get a snack and pills soon, I'll have a migraine by lunch.

"Tell me why you need to go to the Minnesota away games with the team?" Tiffany asks me.

I take a calming breath. I've answered this question multiple times now. "Because it's a player's hometown and will allow me to get material for highlighting said player."

"You mean your brother Lou."

"Yes." I force out. "Each hometown visit we've done for the team has driven clicks up seven percent, and brings sales up. I'm only asking for a spot on the plane with the team."

"Don't you have enough home material for him since you grew up together?"

"Not the kind for this media kit."

My mother has planned every spare minute of the days Lou and I will be in town. There will be no less than two mandatory parties with friends, and family. The baby shower, and barbecue were what I knew of now. But no doubt I'll be expected to be there early for set up and have to stay late for clean up.

The head of finance leans forward in his chair. "It's approved, let's move on."

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