Page 85 of Icy Pucking Play

"She doesn't…"

"…and you push her away because you're afraid shemightbe like Chelsea? Here's a newsflash, E-boy: she's not."

"You don't know that."

"Actually, I do. Want to know how?" She pulls out another phone. "Because I found this while cleaning out the office. It’s her old work phone from her Blades internship days. Her notes from back then are particularly interesting."

"Jules…"

"Let me read you something." She scrolls through files. "Here we go. Day one of her internship. 'Everyone warns me about the Ice Man, but they don't see how he stays late to help the rookie goalies. How he keeps protein bars in his locker for anyone who needs them. How he lights up when his daughter visits practice...'"

"Stop."

"Day twenty-eight, 'It's fascinating how someone they call cold can contain so much warmth. The way he teaches, the way he leads, the way he loves his family…'"

"Julia, please."

"Day sixty-two, 'Sometimes I think I'm the only one who sees him. Really sees him. Not the Ice Man, or the divorced dad, or the grumpy old dude. Just...him. And maybe that's dangerous because…'" She looks up. "Want to know how that entry ends?"

I stand abruptly. "I have to go."

"Evan."

"Practice."

"It's your day off."

"Then I have...something."

"Right." She gathers her things slowly. "Just remember—Sophie saw you before she had any reason to. Before family dinners and stolen kisses and whatever happened in her office that has Brad fromSports News Nowgiving you knowing looks."

I try not to redden. "Jules…"

"The point is, she chose us. Chose you. And now she's having dinner with the one person who could actually hurt this family." She heads for the door, then pauses. "But hey, at least you're protecting yourself, right?"

She leaves me there feeling like an idiot.

My phone buzzes.

Natalia:Dad? Can Sophie come to my game Saturday? I really miss her...

Before I can respond, another text comes through.

Ryland:Just saw Clark at the rink. He said something about having dinner with Sophie? Might want to handle that before he handles it for you.

I stare at the messages, remembering Sophie's face when I snapped at her. The hurt in her eyes. The way she backed away like I was someone to fear instead of...

Instead of someone she trusted.

Someone she...

My phone rings—it’s Julia.

"What?"

"Forgot to mention—dinner's at eight. Giovanni's." I can hear her smile. "In case you were wondering."

"I wasn't."

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