Page 25 of One Night with my Best Friend's Dad

“We’ll be an excellent team,” I say. “And I think you’ll do just fine,” I continue, rising on my toes to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

I can’t help but smile at the way he’s looking at me. His eyes are so full of love and adoration—a far cry from the gruff, no-nonsense coach I first met.

Piper clears her throat, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Okay, you two. Save it for the honeymoon.” She chuckles. “Speaking of which, when are you two planning on tying the knot?”

I glance at Piper, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. “I, uh—It’s early days.”

“Not too early to have a baby!” Piper quips.

Mac rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well, I, um, I was waiting for the right moment.”

Piper shakes her head, a mock-exasperated expression on her face. “Unbelievable. You have a baby coming into the world, andyou’re waiting for the right moment. Connor asked me after a few dates.”

Mac wraps his arm around my shoulder and says, “And I’ll ask when the moment is right.”

Chapter 10

Kelly

It’s the last period of the hockey game and when I settle in my seat next to Piper, my eyes are instantly drawn to the ice where Mac is pacing back and forth, barking instructions to his players.

I love the way his brow furrows in concentration, the intensity in his gaze. It all sends a thrill through me.

Piper elbows me playfully. “Quit ogling my dad, will you?” she teases as the whistle blows and the players roar around the ice.

My cheeks flush, and I know I’m as red as a beetroot right now. “I can’t help it,” I murmur. “He just looks so—”

“Handsome?” Piper supplies with a grin.

I nod sheepishly. “And sexy.”

“Yuk!” Piper laughs and turns her attention back to the game, her eyes narrowing as one of the opposing players slams Connor into the boards. She jumps to her feet, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Hey, ref! That was a blatant penalty! Call it!” she yells over the noise of the stadium.

I can’t help but chuckle at her vehement protectiveness. But then, Piper has always been a fierce advocate for the people she loves.

My gaze drifts back to Mac, and I can’t help but marvel at the way he commands the attention of the entire arena. There’s an undeniable magnetism about him. He has such power and confidence as he commands his players, leaving me smiling at him in awe.

He turns and our eyes meet. Time slows around us as a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.

When he turns back to the ice, my heart pounds in my chest.

Piper’s voice cuts through the haze. “Oh, come on! That’s another penalty! Can’t you see he’s bleeding?”

I tear my eyes away from Mac, my attention now drawn to the commotion on the ice. Connor is sporting a nasty gash on his forehead, blood trickling down his face.

Piper’s hands clench into fists, her knuckles turning white. “I swear, if that guy isn’t banished from the game, I’m going to march down there and—”

The sharp blast of the ref’s whistle halts her tirade, followed by the player’s swift departure to the box.

And only minutes later, the arena erupts as a puck slams into the back of Seattle’s net.

Sticks clash with sticks.

Players clash harder again.

“Yes, go for it!” Piper yells.

---