Page 38 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

"Well it would hardly be a secret if I knew."

She sighs, and leaves my office.

I don't get anything the next day, but the following day there's an invitation to dinner after work with an address and time. When I arrived at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, it was to find Charlotte with a platter of tacos. We spent the rest of the night laughing over the gossip going around the office. Then we people-watch as we look through the window facing out onto Main Street.

Sam keeps me up to date as he hears everything when he delivers the mail. So far the theories for my secret admirer range from someone at the stadium to someone from my home town. I try to subtly suggest to Sam it's someone I've known for years so people will stop thinking it's someone I could get fired for seeing. Another couple weeks, and a few more white lies and I should be able to see Matt without anyone second guessing.

After that, Maria gives me gourmet chocolate that I have to immediately lock away or I'll eat it all. The first chocolate bar has bits of honeycomb in it. Based on the pictures on the rest of the chocolate bars, I know I won't be able to pick a favorite.

I'm in my office Friday afternoon thinking about if I should invite Lou to trivia night to ease into it with the gossip when Sam arrives at my door with the mail.

My admirer today has gifted me with a classic envelope, with two tickets for the latest superhero movie and snacks. I place the envelope and its contents on my desk. I'll have to thank Beth at our next book club.

"There's one more," Sam tells me, as he holds up a small box.

"Really?"

He shrugs. "At this rate, I might as well dedicate the cart to you."

"It's not that bad is it?" I ask him.

He takes a quick look around the hallway, before leaning in to whisper. "Tiffany is very jealous. Word has it that her boyfriend sent her those roses with a note breaking up with her."

"No!" I gasp.

One of his shoulders lifts as he gives a half-shrug. "The note may or may not have been in one of those plastic stake things sans envelope."

I'm thinking about the tea that Sam has just dropped when Matt pops his head into my office.

I smile up at him. "What brings you to my door?" I ask, my tone light and teasing.

"Just wanted to see if you know if Noah can come to tonight's game. I feel bad that he wasn't able to make it to the Sweethearts game." Then he drops his voice to little more than a whisper. "And I needed to see you."

My heart melts, and his words make me feel all warm inside.

"I've missed you," I whisper back. And then in my normal voice tell him, "Not only is he coming, but I've arranged for him to ride on the Zamboni during the first intermission."

Matt's grin is big. "That's great. He's going to love that."

"His mom is thrilled, and I've arranged the suite for their family so there's less exposure for him. I don't want to take any unnecessary chances."

"Thank you. I'm sure that means a lot to his family."

We're both silent in our own thoughts for a moment.

"Hey what's that?" Matt asks and points at the box and envelope.

I wave a hand in the air dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing."

He looks taken aback. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's just a trinket."

"Oh." He stands up to leave.

The abrupt change in his demeanor throws me off.

"Is everything okay?" I ask him.

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