Page 84 of Conner

“Tell HR or whatever else we need to do on that end.”

“You're serious? You’re ready to tell HR we’re together?”

“Baby, I meant what I said. You're mine. You can take all of the time you need, but we're end game. You know that, right?”

Her heart was just about to beat out of her chest. Now that everything was over, and it was just her and Conner, it felt even better than before.

“You, Conner McPhee, need to be worrying about your game tonight.”

“Oh, I am, but I can worry about my game and still want to be with you. And let me tell you, if that's not growth I don't know what is.” He pulled her up from her desk chair and held her close while still propped against her desk. Then he kissed her, and not a work appropriate kiss but a kiss to get lost in.

A throat cleared loudly by the door. They broke apart and she thought she heard Conner growl.

“Bill, Hi!”

“Sasha, Conner,” he said as he sat at his desk. “I heard about Florida, Sasha. I'm glad you're okay.”

“Thanks,” she said.

“How’s Brianna?” Conner asked Bill with his friendly smile, like that hadn’t just been caught making out.

“Oh, she’s good. Enjoying her first year at NYU.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

He took Sasha’s hand and looked down at her. "Come get lunch with me," Conner said to her.

She nodded and grabbed her phone.

“See you later, Bill.”

Once they were in the hallway Conner whispered in her ear. “So, it looks like we should tell HR sooner rather than later.”

She elbowed him but couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.

46

Conner

That night Conner left the ice defeated. He knew that getting the cup this year without Wes was going to be an uphill climb, but he thought they might make it through the first round, but they had just had their asses handed to them by Florida.

Fuck Florida.

The mood in the locker room was somber. Coach gave the best pep talk he could, but all the men in this room had worked their asses off and they all hated to lose. You didn't make it to be in the NHL without that drive to win and a playoff loss was hard to stomach.

No one was going out tonight, they were all going home to lick their wounds. Conner would plan a team gathering for some time soon before people started scattering for the off season.

He was looking for Sasha as he left. It didn't feel right walking to his car without her. When he was in the parking lot, he didn't see her car. He guessed she had already headed home. He still didn't like it. He wanted her with him.

He made it home and pulled into his empty garage. In the weeks she had been staying with him he had gotten used to seeing her car in his garage. He had gotten used to her plethora of beauty supplies in his bathroom. He loved her dolled up for work, but he loved her even more at home when she was just walking around in those sinfully short sleep shorts with no make-up and her glasses on. He had never known anyone like Sasha.

He walked into his big empty house. He was bummed about the loss. He was missing Sasha.

This was ridiculous. They could do better than this. He picked his keys back up and got back in his car and drove over to Sasha's apartment.

He pulled up and got out of his car and walked in. The fact that the lock was still broken, and he could walk right into her building made him even more sure of his decision. He climbed the stairs to her apartment two at a time and strode quickly over to her door. He raised his hand to knock on the door, but to his surprise the door opened before he could land a knock.

Standing there in the doorway was Sasha holding an overnight bag. She gave a little squeal of surprise before a big smile spread across her face.

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