Page 8 of Hockey Wife

“So most of your teammates drink here?”

“Sure, like Hudson. I think you might have met once.”

The cute guy standing beside Dex nodded at her, halfway to a full blush. “Hello.”

Hudson Grey, she thought his name was, and he was absolutely adorable. She was about to return a light and witty comment when something prescient had her turning to the bar’s corner.

She knew those shoulders would set him apart.

He stood, stance wide, one thick, muscle-corded arm raised as he focused on the dartboard. He’d had a light stubble when she met him before, but now he was fully bearded. No matter, she would know him anywhere.

“Hi—oh, there you are!”

Dex asked, “Georgia, you okay?”

“I will be.” Fisting her hips, she pondered how to play it.

March over there and tap him on one broad shoulder?

March over there and … say “hi, Banks, remember me?”

March over there and …

She didn’t have time to think of a third option because the energy in the bar sparked electric. Banks turned. Faced her. The hand holding the dart dropped to his side with a jerk.

Then he moved toward her, plowing through the crowd, eyes blazing like supernovas.

Did the sight of her annoy him that much? It had been over two months since she last saw him. Back then, in the early dawn, she’d stolen a moment to watch as he slept, memorizing the rise and fall of his chest, the sooty eyelashes like dark half-moons feathering over his cheeks, those firm lips that had promised so much …

Conked out and dead to the world, he hadn’t awoken to see her off. She was glad. Cowards did their best work unseen.

“Georgia,” Banks said on arrival, her name uttered with a disdain that didn’t surprise her even if a small part of her had hoped this reunion might run smoother.

“Banks.”

Then silence.

Neither of them filled it. Someone should because Georgia wouldn’t want people to think she was transfixed by the man before her, rapt in her regard for his wide shoulders and broad chest, barely contained in a gray tee. (Why did it have to be gray and why was gray the best of the T-shirt colors?)

Still nothing from him, and words refused to come from her end.

Dex was forced to step in to mediate. “You guys know each other?”

Banks’s cold gaze slipped to her dress, offering an even chillier disapproval. Like he thought it inappropriate for this bar or the time of year or the reunion of a hastily married couple.

“I need to talk to you,” Georgia finally said.

Without taking his eyes off her, Banks said, “O’Malley, how do you know Georgia?”

“She’s my neighbor at Castle Apartments.”

“Come down in the world, have you?”

“Nothing you need to worry about,” she managed, though that kind of snark on his lips seemed out of place. Like he knew things about her. “Could I have a moment of your time?”

“We have nothing to discuss.”

“Ah, but we do.”

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