Page 101 of What If I Knew You

“So does that mean you guys are…you know.”

I nod slowly. “I think so, yeah. We both agreed it’s what we want so we’re giving it a go and we’ll see what happens.”

“What about your dad?”

“We’re not telling him just yet. When we’re both ready we’ll sit him down.”

“Please let me be a fly on the wall when that day comes.” She snickers beside me and I bump her with my hip.

“You’ll be among the first to know for sure.”

Layken gestures to the net and plush balls being used by the kids. “Ella said they had this stuff in storage to use with kids when they’re at the arena so she asked if she could bring it along and the team said yes.”

I smile nostalgically at the net where Bodhi stands. “That net was mine when I was a kid. Can you believe that?”

“No way.”

I nod. “Yep. Mom didn’t want to get rid of it when I outgrew it and Dad suggested saving it for things just like this.”

“Well then I guess I should be thanking you. These kids seem to love it.”

I watch quietly as Bodhi teases the hair on the head of one kid and makes him laugh with his silly plush ball tricks and then he stands and shakes hands with the kid’s parents.

Harrison Meers wheels the next kid over to where he’ll shoot his ball across the room and August Blackstone crouches down to allow the boy to choose what color ball he wants. When he points to the green ball, August sets it down in front of his wheelchair and Harrison helps him line up his stick. Together they shove the stick against the ball and watch as the ball rolls into the net. The families in the room applaud as once again,Bodhi raises his arms and says, “Another excellent scoooooore! You guys are good at this!”

I can’t help but smile warmly as I look on from outside the room because Bodhi Roche is every bit the good guy I thought he was. And that knowledge further confirms the decisions I made the night we met. That the decision not to tell him I knew who he was because somewhere inside the professional hockey player was a normal young guy who needed a little guidance and encouragement, was the right decision.

A few minutes later Bodhi happens to look up and sees me standing with Layken near the doorway.

“Hey!” His beaming smile is enough to melt all my insides. But I melt even more when he leans down and kisses my cheek.

“Hey yourself.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I work here, silly. If anyone should be asking that question round here, it’s me.”

“I was going to stop down and see you on my way out,” he tells me. “Looks like Layken beat me to it.”

I wiggle my brows. “She’s super sly that way. That’s why I keep her around.”

“Huh.” Layken sighs. “And here I thought it was my taste for Chinese and my sparkling personality.”

I nudge Layken’s shoulder with my own. “That too babe.”

She laughs. “Bodhi here is going to make sure our children’s art auction is the biggest hit yet.”

“Oh yeah?” I cock my head. “That’s a pretty big promise.”

“Lucky for you, I know a few people with heavy pockets.”

“Lucky for them,” I say. gesturing to the kids still laughing inside with Lumin and August. “Not for me.”

“Don’t worry Diary Girl,” he says with a wink. “I’ll make sure you’re feeling lucky too. I promise.”

Layken’s brows shoot up and she gives me an amused glance. “Oooh listen to this guy, Corrigan. I do believe you found yourself an ooey gooey cinnamon roll.”

“Cinnamon roll?” Bodhi lifts a brow. “Is that code for something?”

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