Page 16 of Cash

It was then she was finally brave enough to look down the table at him. It was a good thing she was already seated because her knees would have buckled underneath her at the smile he gave her. Her entire body was pulsing just being in the same room as him. She was done for.

9

CASH

The moment she walked into the room the world stopped spinning. He remembered how beautiful she was, but remembering it and seeing it were two completely different things. Her body was full of soft smooth curves that were on display in her athletic outfit. She must have had a class to teach after this because she was in leggings and a matching top with a soft shrug sweater over the top. But with the soft curves was an unspoken elegance and grace with the way she held herself. The type of beauty and elegance that demanded attention and respect with the beautiful raise of one of those curved eyebrows.

Cash sat through the meeting trying to pay attention, but it was scheduling stuff he was already aware of. This was just a quick meeting before the meet and greet he and Wes would do with the players and their parents.

A couple times during their short meeting his eyes caught Evie's. He gave her a warm smile, but he got a tiny one in return, and she didn’t glance his way for the rest of the meeting. He was positive she felt it too, but she seemed to be fighting it.

"Are there any questions?” Owen asked. “I think that just about sums it up."

People started to get their things together.

"Cash, Wes, in about fifteen minutes the meet and greet starts over in the big rink,” said a young woman by the door holding a clipboard.

"Sounds good, I'm excited," said Wes with a big smile on his face.

"Thanks again for doing this. We’ll be able to fully fund the scholarship program next year and add in a couple more spots," said Owen.

"I'm glad. I learned to play from a program like this," Wes said to Owen.

Cash was distracted though. Evie had left, and he needed to go find her.

"If you'll excuse me for just a moment. I'll meet you out on the ice," he said, patting Wes on the shoulder before he took off to go find her.

He turned the corner and found her stretching in the corner. He didn't want to ogle her when she was getting ready to teach a class, but he only had a few minutes to make his move. He wasn't going to miss his chance to get a date with her. It was now or never.... or maybe it was now or in a few weeks, either way he wasn't missing this chance.

He walked over to her. Her back was to him with both arms over her head bent and pulling her elbow for a stretch.

"Hi," Smooth. For being hockey’s playboy, he was tongue tied.

She turned and their eyes met, the air between them electric.

"Hi," she answered back breathlessly.

He was glad that he seemed to have the same effect on her that she had on him.

"Thanks again for the work you are doing for the rink,” she continued. “It's going to help a lot of kids."

"Of course, I used a scholarship program just like this in Colorado to play hockey."

She stopped stretching and gave a small smile, “I remember you said that at the gala. It’s a good program."

"Yeah and look at me now. I'm happy to spend a week teaching these kids and helping fund the scholarship program. Hockey's an expensive sport, I know my single mom couldn’t have afforded it."

She just nodded listening to him.

"Do you want to get some coffee when I'm done here?" he asked.

She glanced down at the ground, trapping her full beautiful lip between her teeth.

"I have a full day of classes, maybe another time."

"Excuse me, Mr. Hawthorn, I think they are ready to get started," said a small woman who had been working in the skate rental area.

"Of course, on my way," he turned and said politely to her.

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