Page 29 of Hat Trick Holidate

I don’t know what to do. He hasn’t even glanced my way since we came into Jolie’s room. He has completely forgotten what just happened. He’s taking care of his child like he should be. I tiptoe out of the room and down the steps, unsure whether I should leave or stay.

Our bodies felt so good together, the same way they did all those years ago when he ruined me for any other man.

Stepping out onto the patio, I grab my glass of wine and walk back inside. A few sips later, I go home. Since I’m not used to driving in Atlanta, and I’ve had a glass of wine, I use a rideshare to get home.

My house is slowly coming together, but a few rooms store all the boxes. Luckily, my bedroom is neat and tidy. I undress and wash my face, then stare at my reflection. My skin is still pink and warm as I think about his lips. About how he wants to be a good father. And finally, about how he remembered me and our one night together.

He’s thought about me.

I pad into the kitchen, across the hardwood floors that beckon to be refinished, and push my glass against the water nozzle on the refrigerator. My mind wanders all over the place from all the things I need to do to my house for Jolie and how I can help her open up to her dad and back to his hard, sculpted body.

“I’m so screwed,” I say aloud to no one.

I swallow my vitamins, gulp down the water, and get in the bed. It’s late, later than I’ve stayed out for a year or more. I set the water on my bedside table as my Kindle stares at me, but my concentration is lacking right now, so I turn off the light and scooch into the bed.

A few minutes later, my phone lights up. It’s Bryce.

Bryce: Why did you leave?

Me: You were having a daddy/daughter moment, and I didn’t want to intrude.

Bryce: I wish she would tell me about her nightmare.

Me: She took a baby step tonight, letting you comfort her.

He must be thinking about what he wants to say as the dots appear and disappear.

Bryce: Being interrupted in the middle of… is a first for me.

Me: All in a day’s work.

Bryce: A man going down on you and getting interrupted?

Me: No, I meant being interrupted by kids. Geez. What kind of girl do you think I am?

He must not know how to respond because the dots pop over and over.

Bryce: I really wanted to taste you again.

Me: This is inappropriate. I’m your babysitter.

Bryce: No, you were a friend helping me out. In fact, I need another favor.

Me: No. I will not wear your jersey and be a freaking puck bunny.

For five full minutes, nothing.Is it possible he’s offended? He’s the kind of man who isn’t used to being told no. But geez, I was kidding.

Me: When did you realize I was Rusti?

Bryce: At Admire. But I felt something familiar when I touched you at the arena. When did you?

The phone rings as I’m figuring out what to say.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Hey. Was I that forgettable? Because if that’s the case, I want a second chance.” He chuckles with lightness to his voice.

For some reason, I don’t want to lie to him and play hard to get. “The moment I laid eyes on you in your suit, I remembered. I never forgot.”

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