Page 33 of Santa's Pucking Hat Trick

“How did you…?” I started to ask, but Sawyer just gave me a knowing look.

“I told you. I know a guy.”

Of course he did. Sawyer Finnegan didn’t seem like a social butterfly, but he was the kind of guy who could get things done without making a big deal about it. Besides, being a player on the Santas gave him a lot of social currency around these parts. He confirmed my suspicion, adding, “The guy who does the ice is a big fan of the team. Lets me know when it’s ready for skating but not open to the whole town yet. So…we’ve got the place to ourselves.”

He grabbed a pair of skates from the back of his car and handed one to me too—a slightly beat-up looking pair, but certainly serviceable. “I pulled these from the storage earlier,” he explained. “Hope they fit.”

I took the skates, glancing between them and him. “You really thought of everything, huh?”

Sawyer shrugged again, but this time there was a faint flush on his cheeks. “Figured you might want to avoid falling flat on your face in front of everyone when the rink opens to the public.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smile. “Thoughtful. If a little self-serving.”

“Me? Never.”

We laced up our skates and made our way to the ice. It was quiet, the only sound the slight scuff of our blades as we stepped onto the pristine surface. For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in. The town square was lit up with holiday lights, a few snowflakes starting to fall, and we had the whole rink to ourselves.

It was…romantic. And I didn’t know how to feel about that.

Sawyer skated easily, his movements smooth and practiced, while I wobbled on the ice, trying not to fall. He noticed and skated back to me, extending a hand.

“Here,” he said softly. “Let me help you.”

I hesitated for a second before taking his hand. His grip was warm and steady, and I felt a strange sense of comfort as he guided me across the ice, showing me how to balance, how to push off without flailing my arms like a maniac.

“You’re a good teacher,” I muttered, focusing on not tripping over my own feet.

“Patience is key,” he replied. “Besides, you’re doing better than I expected.”

We skated in silence for a while, the tension between us thick but unspoken. Finally, I couldn’t help but ask, “You were a little…off at the game tonight. Something going on?”

Sawyer slowed, his expression clouding as he exhaled heavily. “Yeah. Just found out my ex-wife is pregnant.”

“Oh,” I said, unsure of what to say. “That’s…complicated.”

“Yeah,” he said, voice quieter now. “She never seemed too stoked about kids when we were married. And now, she’s having one with the big-shot NHL player she left me for.” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Kind of funny how life works.”

“I get it,” I said softly. “My ex cheated on me too. We dated in college. Perfect guy on paper, but…yeah.” I shrugged, trying to keep my voice light, but the memory still stung, even after all this time. Matt and I hadn’t been together for months even before graduation, and I genuinely didn’t want him back, especially after having experienced much better sexual attention from two hotter guys recently.

Sawyer gave me a look, his expression softening. “Guess we’ve both been burned, huh?”

“Yeah.” I laughed, but it came out more bitter than I intended. “I’m not really one for relationships anymore. They just seem…messy.”

He nodded, and for a moment, we were just two people standing on the ice, both a little broken, both a little hesitant to try again.

“That kiss,” I started, feeling the tension between us shift as I addressed it out loud for the first time. I could have almost convinced myself it hadn’t happened were it not for Sawyer’s noticeable change, the way his hazel eyes darted down to my lips as if he was considering taking them with his own once again. I struggled to speak. “On the ice that morning. That…wasn’t messy.”

Sawyer’s eyes darkened, his gaze locking with mine, intense and searching. “No, it wasn’t.”

“There was no drama,” I thought out loud in front of him, feeling the way he was subtly tugging me closer to him until we were flush against one another. My heart rate was picking up speed, and heat pooled in my belly just at the memory of his strong arms around me, his sensuous lips on mine. “We were able to be normal at work. Even though we’re…clearly attracted to one another.”

He nodded, his expression urging me to say more. Maybe so he wouldn’t have to. Maybe so I’d give him permission to do what he clearly wanted—what I wanted too. I could feel the heat building between us, the pull that I’d been trying to ignore since the moment we met.

“I think we’re aligned here,” I told him carefully. “About what we want from each other.”

“Say it, then,” he dared me. “What do you want, Rachel?”

“Nothing serious. No strings,” I answered.

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