Page 63 of Hockey Wife

“I’m not sure where Ba—we were planning to put you.”

“Probably as far away from the lovebirds as possible,” Connie said.

From the love—oh. They’d expect Banks and Georgia to be in their own room. Together. With one bed.

She’d known that was a likelihood, but she had assumed they’d discuss it first.

What’s to discuss? You’re married and should be lying beside your husband for long, sleepless nights …

“Let’s worry about the room assignments later.” Georgia cupped Connie’s elbow and guided her toward the living room. “You guys must be tired. What time did you start traveling?” The Bankowskis lived in Apple Falls, Wisconsin, just outside of Green Bay.

“Just after 6:30. Best way to beat the traffic.” Trish screwed up her mouth. “Did we wake you? We probably should have warned you.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. How about tea or coffee?”

Connie sank into the corner of the large sectional while Trish arranged cushions around her. “Coffee would be great. Need a hand?” Trish asked.

“Not at all!” In the kitchen, Georgia shot off a text to Banks.

Surprise! Your mom and grandmother are here.

The phone rang immediately.

“Hotel Banks, how can I direct your call?”

“Are you kidding?”

“Why would I kid about that?”

His growl went to places that were unfortunately very receptive. “Are they okay?”

“Of course they are. They have six suitcases and look like they’re planning to stay a month.”

More growling. Yum. “Could you hold the fort until I get there? Morning skate’s about to start, though it’s optional and I could probably skip it.”

“Don’t change your plans. In case you haven’t heard, I can be very charming. Not that it’s ever worked on you.”

Manly grunt.

“Excuse me?”

“Married you, didn’t I?”

Her lips tugged up in a smile. “My charm’s to blame?”

“Certainly wasn’t mine.”

Was he … flirting with her? “Yep, you’re as charmless as they come, Big Guy.”

And she was flirting right back. Enough of that, ya hussy.

“What are they doing now?”

“Settling in. I said we’d give them rooms later, mostly because I didn’t want them seeing that we’re not”—she lowered her voice to a whisper—“in the same one.”

“Okay, we can figure that out. They won’t question why your clothes aren’t in mine. You need a lot of space for your collection.”

She chuckled. “Right, my collection. Because there’s plenty of room with the fifty million suits in your closet.”

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