Page 37 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

I curse under my breath, realizing I’ve been tricked. Ryan asked me to do him a favor by inviting Lauren over for dinner, promising to help me with my upcoming event in return. I didn’t suspect anything when he asked me to add Mia to the guest list. Now it’s clear that this was all part of some elaborate plan.

As I step inside, Ethan closes the door behind me. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice low and full of concern.

I sigh, feeling the weight of everything I’ve been trying to avoid pressing down on me. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just ... surprised, that’s all.”

Truthfully, I’ve been avoiding Ethan all week because I know how irresistible he is. Every time I’m around him, I feel my defenses crumbling, and I need time to sort out my feelings before I risk getting involved with another high-profile celebrity. But now I’m trapped, and there’s no easy way out.

Ethan gestures for me to follow him, leading me into the dining hall where Ryan and Liam are setting the table, both of them also wearing aprons. The smell of something delicious fills the air, and despite my reservations, my stomach growls in anticipation.

As soon as I step into the room, I can feel the tension. There’s an underlying current between Ethan and me that’s impossible to ignore, and I can see Ryan and Liam exchanging glances as they sense it, too.

Ethan takes a seat next to me, and before I can say anything, he leans in, his voice soft and sincere. “Holly, I’m sorry. For accusing you of meddling.”

I turn to look at him, surprised by the apology. “Ethan, it’s ... fine. You don’t have to?—”

“No,” he interrupts, shaking his head. “I was wrong. You’re just doing your job, and I made it difficult for you. I’m sorry.”

His words are genuine, and they touch me more than I expect. But instead of dwelling on it, I decide to shift the conversation to safer ground. “Let’s focus on the fan outreach event. We need to make sure everything is in place.”

Ryan, never one to let things get too serious, jumps in. “Yeah, let’s talk about that. What’s the theme again? Something about bringing the ice to the fans?”

Liam snorts, clearly amused. “That sounds more like a marketing ploy than an actual theme.”

I can’t help but laugh at their banter. “The idea is to make it feel like a winter wonderland, but with a Blizzards twist. We want the fans to feel like they’re part of the team, part of the magic.”

Ethan nods thoughtfully. “But how do we balance that without making it feel too commercial? We don’t want to lose the authenticity.”

I appreciate his input, even if it’s laced with his usual practicality. “That’s why we’re focusing on the personal stories, the connections. It’s not just about the game; it’s about what the team means to the community.”

Ryan leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “So, we’re the faces of this winter wonderland, huh? Just how cheesy is this going to get?”

“Oh, it’s going to be cheesy,” I say with a grin. “But in the best way possible. The fans love this stuff. We just need to make sure it doesn’t cross into cringe territory.”

Liam chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely,” I reply, my tone firm. “This is about more than just the team. It’s about giving people something to believe in, especially during the holidays.”

The conversation continues, with everyone throwing around ideas, debating the finer points of the event’s theme. But beneath the surface, there’s something deeper going on, something that’s not being said. I can feel it in the way Ethan looks at me, the way his hand rests on the table, so close to mine that I can feel the warmth radiating from him.

Eventually, the discussion winds down, and Ryan stands up to clear the table. “Alright, time for dessert. Who’s in?”

“Me!” Mia chirps, already halfway to the kitchen.

Lauren and Liam follow, leaving me and Ethan alone at the table. The tension between us is almost unbearable, and I can feel my resolve weakening.

Ethan turns to me, his expression serious. “Holly, I meant what I said earlier. I’m sorry for everything.”

I nod, feeling a lump in my throat. “I know. And I’m sorry too. For ... avoiding you.”

He looks down at his hands, then back up at me, his eyes filled with something I can’t quite place. “Come home with me tonight.”

I look out the window. The night is winding down, and I’m more than ready to head home. My mind has been spinning with everything that’s happened, and I know I need some time to process it all, but I also want to spend the time with Ethan.

I’ve kinda missed him.

We step out to say our goodbyes and I ignore the obvious curious look from Lauren as I get ready to leave. But as I step outside, Ethan is there, leaning casually against his car, his expression unreadable.

“Need a ride?” he asks, his voice calm and low.

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