Page 7 of All I Want

“I’m sorry for that,” Alex said.

“I’m sorry for not reaching out,” Maggie said at the same time.

Her nervous laugh rolled over him. He hated that she was tense around him. That so much time had passed without a word between them. He’d been angry that she’d refused to listen to him when she’d ended it. It was easier to cut ties completely then pretend they could go back to being friends.

And then a few months after he’d been traded, he’d had a game in Chicago. He’d walked into a café close to Maggie’s campus. She’d been surrounded by friends at a small table. She looked happy, with a stack of textbooks in front of her, her arms waving as she discussed something that clearly interested her.

He hadn’t wanted to get in the way of that, so he’d turned and left the café before she’d spotted him.

He shook free of the memory at her whispered words.

“I missed you.”

And then he was pulling her close, his arms locking around her waist.

Fuck. He’d missed this more than anything. She’d always fit perfectly in his arms. Her laugh was watery against his chest, and he took in a deep breath, inhaling the light, clean scent of her shampoo that he’d always associated with her.

“Missed you, too,” he said. His voice was gravelly.

She pulled free from his hold. “I’m so proud of you, Alex. I knew you would be a success with the Strikers. And the work you do with Westie’s Warriors is amazing.”

“All of that is for Grace,” he said, putting his finger under her jaw when her gaze dropped to the glass in her hand.

“Really?” she whispered. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she looked at him.

“Of course. She was like a sister to me, Maggie.” Grace would’ve been in college by now, probably breaking hearts with her quick wit and easy laughter. Alex had always thought that one day Grace would’ve been his sister.

“I’m such an asshole,” she said, shaking her head against his chest, and he couldn’t stop himself from running his hand along her soft hair. “I’m sorry for how everything ended. We were friends for so long. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

She paused and looked back up at him, giving him a half-smile. “I know you probably hated me, and I should’ve sought you out when I moved here, but do you think we could be friends again?”

Even when they’d been friends, he never wanted to just be friends.

Was that possible now?

“Friends?” he asked,and Maggie wanted to bolt.

Damn Callie for convincing her to go out tonight and not telling her that she was dragging Maggie to the team bar. Maggie knew that Callie’s sister worked here and was dating one of the players. And sure, she’d seen a few players here the one or two times she’d come in for a drink, but it never dawned on her that they came here regularly.

“Yeah. We were good friends once upon a time.”

“Yes, we were.”

He tilted his head in question, clearly not sure how to take her. Hell, she wasn’t sure how to take herself right now.

“Great. So, how’s everything going? Aside from the great hockey career. Are you happy?”

“Umm. Yes, it’s a great team to play for.”

“I heard you’re seeing someone. That’s great.”

Why the hell had she brought that up?

“It’s pretty casual. Just a few dates. Been checking up on me?”

Her cheeks heated. Dammit. Of all the things she had to bring up.

“No. I heard one of the nurses mention it. I’m glad you’re happy and everything is going well.” She paused. How many times was she going to say the word happy? “Thank you for creating the Warriors. Grace would’ve loved that.”

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