Page 9 of Hat Trick Holidate

Nothing.

“Sis, this is Bryce Wynward.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” she says with a humorous tone as she stands up.

I bet she has.

My hand reaches out for Jolie’s, but instead, I grasp his sister’s fingers by accident. In an instant, a powerful jolt of energy surges through me, enveloping my mind in a blinding white streak. A chaotic flurry of sensations overwhelms me like a vibrant burst of colors merging.

What the hell?

Did she feel it too? Her eyes are shadowed and shielded from the cap, but I see the slight hitch in her breath.

“Whatever your brother has said about me isn’t true.” My voice comes out rough, trying to make sense of what just happened to my body when we touched and quite possibly pissed off that I can’t explore the connection I’m having with my teammate’s sister.

She shakes her head, ignoring my comment. “I’m Emmaline. Thanks for letting me hang out with Jolie. She’s sweet.”

A hum sneaks up my throat. “Can I have your number in case I need a babysitter?” This may be the first time I’ve asked a woman for her number. Then as if I’m helping my case in a strained but quiet voice, I say, “She was unexpected.” Why the fuck am I rambling?

Emmaline’s head tips to the left, and her finger taps her lips. “Roman will give it to you.” She pauses, and I find myself staring at her lips. “I learned the hard way that sometimes, the unexpected is the greatest gift.”

“So, you like surprises?” I ask.

four

EMMALINE

My heart racesas he asks for my number. The spark between us when our hands briefly touch feels just as potent as it did eight years ago. The man who washed away any thought of Grant. I always knew he had an athletic build, but I had him pegged for a basketball player based on his friend group that night. But when he strolls out of the locker room in a suit, with all the swagger, I’m ninety-nine percent sure this is the same guy who rocked my world just days after it shattered. I’ve never met a man with the same eyes until now.

What are the chances? I’ve never looked up my brother’s teammates since he was recently traded. I’ve been busy moving across the country, and it didn’t cross my mind that I would come face to face with him after so many years. The universe is playing a cruel trick on me but making me wonder if it’s fate.

My brother’s eyes shift from the Jets star center to me, then he’s distracted by another teammate. I never toldRoman about the epic night. After the game, Roman’s team had a mandatory meeting at his hotel, so I went out on my own, not expecting to connect with a man in all the right ways.

I needed to feel desired, and wow, did I ever. The man I’m staring at made me forget that I was jilted at the altar, cheated on, and my life was blown into smithereens.

“Ahem.” He rubs his fingers over his five o’clock shadow, grabbing my attention when I don’t answer. “I’ve never liked surprises.”

This is one hell of a surprise.

Looking down at Jolie, I say, “I’m sure you two will be a great team.”

He growls as he nods.

Internally, laughter explodes, remembering just how good he is at other things, but when I see the stoic expression on his face, I realize how scared he is. For an athlete of his caliber, fear isn’t something in their wheelhouse. They train their minds to conquer their opponents and exploit their weaknesses.

He extends his hand, and I look at it. Am I supposed to shake hands with a man I’ve had sex with? Dear God, he doesn’t remember. I shake his hand except there’s no shaking. He’s holding my hand, and a strange expression clouds his eyes.

“Have we met before?”

Yes. God, yes.

His eyes pinch, and thankfully, my phone rings, saving me from the embarrassment of saying yeah, I didn’t know your name, and you screwed me and saved me from the depths of despair.

“Hey, Mom.” I cover the receiver and say, “I have to take this.” I wave goodbye to Jolie, and Bryce Wynward, the two-time NHL MVP tucks her into his leg. As I walk away, I feel his gaze burning through my clothes.

“Sorry, Mom. Did you see Roman’s goal?”

“I did. I’m surprised it’s working out so well with Wynward as the center. For some reason, they’ve never liked each other.”

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