Page 8 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

I nod as I use my elbow to push the door open. Maria is already helping the next customer by the time I make it through the door. Maybe next book club we'll get the truth out of her about why she hates Lou so much. All of us are curious and when I talked to Lou, the lovable idiot, he didn't have a clue.

Dropping the box of pastries off in the break room, I turn to get a napkin so I can take one with me to my office. As I turn I nearly run into Matt.

He stands so close to me I can smell his spicy aftershave. Dressed casually in jeans and a blue team hoodie, he must have stopped into the break room before going to practice. Lou had asked him why he came up to the break room all the way up here, and he'd confessed the coffee was better up here. Most weeks I'd catch a glimpse of him on my way to or from dropping off the box of treats, and it was enough to keep me going until the next time.

"Oh!" I put a hand to my heart "You scared me."

Matt stares at me, and I get so lost in his dark eyes that it jolts me when he mumbles something that sounds like “You” followed by "Look good."

He clears his throat and steps around me as if he hasn't just caused my brain to short circuit. Did he really just say I looked good? If he did I'd totally wear this suit every day. Or maybe buy one in every color.

I watch him as he picks up a Right Wing Raspberry Tart Maria recently added to complement the Right Wing Muffins. The treat looks so much smaller in his hand than it had in the box. He takes a bite, and little flakes of pastry fall. Of course he was here for the food, I must have misheard him.

Shaking his words off I remind myself about napkins. "Take the lemon bar to Lou, please. You know he'll pout like a toddler if he finds out someone else ate it."

Matt ate the last of the tart in a second bite before picking up the lemon bar container. "Yes Ma'am."

I open a cupboard with the napkins, by the time I get some napkins and turn back around, Matt is eyeing the chocolate muffin.

"That one's mine." I need the extra sugar to survive this exchange.

"Arm wrestle for it?" Matt asks.

"I'll just tell Lou you made me cry."

He winces. "It's all yours."

Matt picks up an orange cranberry muffin instead. Tiffany walks into the breakroom, smiles at Matt before casually looking at me.

"Chocolate for breakfast?" She asks. "I could never, that much fat would go straight to my hips. My personal trainer is constantly telling me to choose healthier options. Like cranberry. Fruit has so many nutrients. Right Matt?"

He looks at her, then me, but doesn't say a thing.

Clearing her throat, she looks back at me. "Anyway, just something to think about. A moment on the lips, forever on the hips."

I leave the breakroom and Matt behind. Her words aren't the most painful thing I've ever heard, or said to myself, but the chocolate muffin no longer sounds good to me. I can't bring myself to throw it away, but I can't eat it either. Spotting Sam in the hallway with the squeaky mail cart, I hand over the chocolate muffin.

"Really?" He asks.

"There are other treats in the break room if you want something else."

"This is great! Normally everything's gone by the time I get in there. And I have to get all this out so I can use the cart for the Valentine's Day stuff. You wouldn't believe what the fans have sent in for the players."

My stomach twists as I remember my impulsive flower purchase. I really don't want to hear what Tiffany would have to say about the small thing of flowers I'd ordered.

"Enjoy."

He has the paper wrapper peeled down before I can turn towards my office. Today will be busy enough making sure everything for the Sweethearts game this weekend is in order.

Chapter 4

Hannah

All day long I have a knot in my stomach as I wonder when the flowers will arrive. I watch the team practice on the ice, snagging a few shots on my phone to post online. I’ve found that a mix of professional shots and the candid ones had different audience reaches. The posts for the Sweetheart game are up and doing well. For once the comments are positive and people are asking if the Kiss Cam will be up and running at the game. I make a note to get footage later to see if there will be something good to post later. Normally I go with the highlight reel, but the Kiss Cam has potential. Then I get to triple checking everything once more.

My phone buzzes.

Maria: Speed Dating tonight! Don't be late, Charlotte and I need a wing-woman.

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