Page 47 of Going All In

“Laying it on thick, aren’t you?” Darcy muttered.

“Of course,” Jake said, leaning down and brushing a kiss across her nose. “I’m supposed to be smitten, right?”

“You two are adorable together. What are you whispering about?” her mother asked.

“Nothing, Mom,” Darcy said.

“That’s two shots, right?” Jake asked Lydia.

“Oh my god, you told him about that? And he still showed up? I think I like you even more,” her sister said to Jake. “And yes, that would be two shots. What’s your poison?”

“He is not playing your ridiculous game, Lydia,” Darcy said. That was just what she needed. Her fake boyfriend doing shots with her sister every time her mother said something about how they looked or acted together. That had disaster written all over it.

“I think I’ll skip it tonight, but good luck, because I’m smitten with your sister so I’m sure your mom will have plenty to say.” Jake flashed his trademark smirk that did things to her that she really didn’t want to think about right now.

“Boo. No fun,” Lydia said, taking a sip from the glass of wine next to her.

“Just think, now that I’m blissfully happy with Jake, Mom will have to turn her attention back to you,” Darcy said.

“Don’t even joke about that.”

“Why is Lydia exempt from this?” Jake asked.

“Mon was horrified after Lydia’s elopement and subsequent annulment. She did try to set up Lydia once or twice, but I think her victims are still scarred. By Lydia, not my mom.” Darcy grinned.

Lydia shrugged. “I’m a wonderful challenge, and they weren’t up for it. What can I say?”

“Come on, let’s eat,” Darcy’s mother said, a platter of chicken francese in her hands.

Let the games begin.

“Jake, you sitthere,” Darcy’s mother gestured to the spot next to her. Luckily, Darcy would be on the other side of him.

“Sure. Let me take that,” he said, reaching for a large bowl of pasta that she’d brought in.

“Thank you. Such a gentleman,” she said.

“How are you feeling about the team this season?” Darcy’s father asked as soon as everyone was seated.

Jake had quickly been introduced to Darcy’s brother, Charles, and his wife, Bianca—both doctors like Darcy’s dad—while Darcy’s mom was putting food on the table. Charles pumped his hand and gushed about the season.

“I think we have a solid shot. Each of our lines are strong, and I want to say we’re hungry for it, but every team is,” Jake said. He’d already known Darcy’s father and brother were rabid hockey fans.

“Ah, that’s the canned answer PR tells you to say. What do you really think?” Arthur asked.

Jake grinned. “I think we can do it. I don’t want to jinx anything and say that we’re going to win, because who can know that at this point. I mean, look at St. Louis. They were dead last at this time last year and they ended up winning the Cup. We have the guys to get us through the slog of the playoffs. And I want it. Got really close once while I was in New York. I really love playing with these guys, and to win the Cup would be a dream.”

“That’s what I want to hear. Not that PR coached answer,” Arthur said. “You guys look great. Maybe if you get to the end, we could all go to a game.”

“Dad,” Darcy interjected.

“No. If you want tickets, they’re yours. Every player has at least two per game, and my family is in Chicago, so if you guys want them, just let me know,” Jake said.

“I like this one, Darcy,” Arthur said, raising his glass toward Jake.

“Won over by the thought of endless hockey tickets. My dad’s easy,” Darcy said, shaking her head.

The affection she had for her father was clear, and he couldn’t ignore the slight twinge he felt. He’d never had that with his father. The man had barely been a blip in his life. Jake linked his fingers with Darcy, needing her touch. He hadn’t given his father much thought in years.

---