Page 2 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

Lia looks at me thoughtfully. "Is that guy still on Lou's team?"

I take a big swallow of my drink, before saying in a tight, quiet voice. "Maybe."

"Oh!" Charlotte claps her hands together in joy.

"It's not a big deal. He barely even knows I exist. Lou made sure of that."

The only issue I’ve ever, really, had with my brother is the fact that he’s so protective of me. Sure as kids we’d squabble like normal siblings, but if anyone else messed with me Lou put a stop to it. At first I’d been all too happy to have him fight my battles for me, but somewhere along the way he started fighting battles for me that didn’t need to be fought.

Maria laughs, and the sound of it lifts my spirit. "Oh, Hannah. We're going to get you a hockey sweetheart."

I smile, but it holds no real joy. "I'm fine. I've accepted that I'm going to be single forever."

Sofie shakes her head. "Now that's just sad. You're not even twenty-five."

"Besides, I can't date a hockey player," I tell them.

"Because Lou says so?" Maria asks.

I shake my head hard. "No. My contract. There's a strict no-dating clause. I'll get fired."

When Dan, the team goalie, had asked for my help with declaring his love to Alexis, one of the team physicians, I'd learned the anti-dating clause was specific to me, and courtesy of my brother. The team owner and coach had wanted Lou, and Lou had negotiated my offer without me knowing. Just protecting me like always. I still hadn’t confronted him.

Charlotte grins. "But is there a no kissing clause?"

My jaw pops open.

"What?" Charlotte shrugs innocently. "You don't have to date someone to kiss them."

"I couldn't do that," I protest.

Maria rolls her shoulders before looking at me with a gleam in her eye. "Then we're going to have to find you someone else so you get over mystery hockey guy."

My eyebrows raise in surprise, "And how do you propose that?" I ask her.

She smiles and lifts her phone. "Speed dating."

Goosebumps break out over my skin. "You can't be serious."

"There's one two days from now at the Pizza Pub, It’s the Sweethearts Shuffle."

"Valentine's Day?"

"What better day to have it?" Charlotte asks.

I stand up from my seat, and put the brownie box down. I walk my glass over to the table with the lemonade pitcher. Nerves have made my mouth dry.

Lia clears her throat. "Unless you want help getting him to notice you?"

The thought of Matt paying attention to me makes my stomach flip. But the thought of ruining Matt's friendship with Lou, and the impact that would have to the team… I can’t do it, can I?

"I couldn't do that to Lou or the team," I tell her.

Sofie comes over to me and gives me a gentle hug. "Well if you change your mind. We're here for you. We’ll do whatever the birthday girl wants."

I blink, taken aback. “Birthday?”

Charlotte lets out a cackle, and asks me, "Did you really think we wouldn’t find out it’s your birthday tomorrow?"

---