Page 21 of King

“You’ve got a crush,” he says accusingly.

“I do not,” I say with great offense. But I am intrigued by her. In just that short time, I saw a woman with courage and determination, unwilling to back down to protect a child. I had noticed her before that though, charmingly yelling words of encouragement but not one single helpful bit of coaching advice. She was out of her depth and the fact that she was doing it anyway lent a certain authenticity that you don’t find in many people. “It’s not like that. She’s just… different.”

Rafferty leans toward me, grinning. “Different how? You never show interest in women. You always blow them off.”

I think about that for only a second. “She’s genuine. She stepped up to coach a kids’ hockey team even though she knows nothing about hockey. She’s… real. Has substance.”

“Sounds like someone’s smitten,” Rafferty teases.

“I’m not smitten,” I protest. “I just… I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.”

“Smitten,” he echoes. “But she’s hot, right?”

So fucking hot but I also could see she’s older than me. Not sure by how much but the fact she’s a doctor means she’s got at least a few years on me, maybe more.

An age gap isn’t a problem but she’s obviously very accomplished and independent because she didn’t want my help. God help me, that makes her even more attractive.

“She’s a total hag, I take it,” Rafferty says.

I blink at him in confusion. “What? No. Willa’s very beautiful.”

“Did you get her number?”

“Sort of. I mean I have it, but not because I intend to ask her on a date. I offered to help her coach the team.”

“Very slick,” Rafferty says, leaning back with his arms spread out on the bench behind him.

“It was a genuine offer,” I say. “She declined, but I exchanged numbers with her in case she changes her mind.”

“And you haven’t heard from her?”

“Crickets,” I say somewhat dejectedly.

“So call her. Reiterate your offer to help coach the team. And if she declines again, ask her on a date.”

I tilt my head, pondering that. “Just ask her on a date?”

“You do know that’s how these things work, right? If you’re interested in a woman, you have to let her know. What’s the worst that could happen? She shoots you down on both.”

I hate to admit it, but he’s got a point. Rejection is the worst that could happen, and if I don’t call her, it will be worse to never know. “All right. I’ll give her a call.”

“That’s my boy,” Rafferty says, tapping his knee against mine.

After our sauna, we shower and get dressed. We part ways in the players’ parking lot and once I’m in my car and the Bluetooth connects, I call Willa.

Frankly, I don’t expect her to answer because it’s a workday for her, being a doctor and all. My intent is to leave a message that will entice her to call me back, but to my shock, she answers on the third ring. “Dr. Montreaux.”

“Willa… hi. It’s Jack Kingston. King.”Christ, you sound like a moron.

“Oh,” she says, clear surprise in her voice, but it instantly warms. “How are you?”

And… is that delight I hear? Or maybe she’s just a nice woman. I mean… I know she’s nice. It’s attractive. “I’m good.” An empty space where I can’t think of a single interesting thing to say, but then the fear that she’ll fully realize I’m a moron kicks me into gear. “Actually… I was calling to try to convince you to let me help you coach the Ice Pups. You have a practice tonight, right?”

“That’s right. At six p.m. as…” Her phone breaks up and I don’t hear what she says except for some crackling.

“I can’t hear you… are you there?”

“Sorry, can you hear me now? I’m in my car and the reception is spotty out here.”

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