Page 25 of King

King gathers the Pups in a huddle where I’m standing at the board. “You all did an amazing job today. Don’t you think, Coach Willa?”

“I do,” I say, clapping my hands. “We’ll keep practicing, and you’ll get even better.”

The kids cheer, their faces glowing with pride.

“All right… we’ll see you at the game Saturday. Try to be here at least fifteen minutes early if you can, fully dressed.” I then turn to the parents and call out, “Anyone have any questions?”

They all shake their heads and as everyone begins to disperse, I turn to King with a heart full of gratitude. “I cannot thank you enough. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

King shrugs modestly. “It was my pleasure. You’ll do a great job whether I’m here or not because you understand the goals.”

Warmth spreads through me as I greedily accept his praise, something I’m not often given in my life. I’ve always tried to figure out how to do things on my own and when I’ve succeeded, I was the only one patting myself on the back.

Brittany approaches us, her arm around Izzy’s shoulders, her eyes cutting between me and King.

“King, this is my sister, Brittany.”

King smiles and nods at my sister, but his attention drops to Izzy. “The mom to the incomparable Izzy. Your skating today was amazing.”

Izzy grins up at him. “Aunt Willa practices with me sometimes. She wants me to be a figure skater, but I love hockey.”

“No one says you can’t do both,” King says, and I can see that this was never something Izzy thought about.

Her face screws up as she considers that. “Really?”

“Really,” King assures her. “I did lots of different sports growing up. I think it’s good to try them all so you can find out where your passion lies.”

Izzy looks dubious but then glances up at me. “Should I try figure skating?”

“Only if you want to,” I say with a smile.

Her gaze goes to her mom. “And piano?”

“Of course.” Brittany’s eyes slide to me. “Can I talk to you privately for a moment?”

“Izzy,” King says, getting my niece’s attention. “How about you help me pick up all the pucks from the ice?”

So sweet and thoughtful, essentially offering to watch Izzy. I smile at him gratefully and follow Brittany a few steps away so we’re out of earshot.

“Willa, oh my God,” Brittany whispers, her eyes wide. “If you don’t jump all over that, I’m going to disown you.”

I roll my eyes. “Britt, stop. He’s just helping with the kids.”

“Yeah, but he’s a Greek god, remember? And so nice! I wonder how old he is.”

My defenses rise because I’m embarrassed I looked him up online last night. He’s only twenty-five and I’m not sure what it says about me that I found such info disappointing. Not that I have any business even thinking of King in a way other than as an assistant coach, but he’s far too young for my thirty-three years. “I have no clue and get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Okay, but surely you’re feeling theI want to fuck youvibes he’s throwing your way, right?”

My jaw drops wide open even as a flush of heat sizzles through me. I glance over my shoulder at King who’s holding the bag for Izzy as she skates from puck to puck to pick them up. Turning my head back to my sister, I hiss, “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“Oh my God, you are so dense. That guy is into you.”

“He is not,” I scoff.

“He is too,” she says adamantly.

“He’s too young,” I whisper harshly, shaking my head.

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