Page 51 of Faking the Face Off

I wait, watching the dots pop up telling me he’s busy typing a response back.

No problem there. I enjoy surprising you.

My tummy does a tap dance.We’ve texted pretty much non-stop since he left for this stretch, and even though he’s back in a couple of days’ time, I’ve gotten used to seeing him every day. If not at the arena, per usual, then it’s when we hang out when he’s off the ice and I’m off work. Things have pretty much only escalated a few notches between us, the benefit of being friends already, but it’s a welcome escalation, that’s for sure.

I definitely didn’t mind when our normal catch-up lunches turned to dinners, then dinners lengthened into long conversations about wants and hopes and fears into the wee hours. Or meeting for an early coffee before he sneaks into the arena to do drills ahead of the team practice that day, then meeting up after to debrief over breakfast.

And all of it is complete with a guy who listens to me, asks questions about what I’m doing, what I want, and someone who likes to pull my chair out and open my car door. It’s all so very chivalrous and endearing. And romantic. It’s totally romantic and I’m getting sucked right in, because let’s face it: a girl could, and will, get used to this.

I start to text something back. Something snappy or witty, but I stop myself. Instead, I put my phone back in my purse and leave it there. Something washes over me. A feeling, a thought, maybe instinct? It’s telling me to remember why we’re here. I’m feeling things, and he’s made it clear he is, too, but Ollie wasright when he said we need to make sure we’re doing it all for the right reasons.

I don’t want to reply right now, but it isn’t because I’m playing a game or want to be coy or trying to be hard to get. It’s not even out of protection.

I just want to sit in this feeling of knowing that there’s someone out there who likes surprising me, who is waiting to hear from me, and is on my side.

Because it feels amazing.

CHAPTER 17

OLLIE

By the time the bus arrives and pulls into the parking lot back at the arena, it’s already eight o’clock in the morning. The whole team looks like zombies, shuffling off the bus with bags slung over shoulders, bleary-eyed and barely functional. But we’ve got tux fittings lined up first thing for the mayor’s ball tomorrow, and there’s no getting out of it. Especially when Anna arranged for the tailor to come to us. Charity is charity, and we need to do our part.

I drop my bag in the locker room, run a hand through my hair, and groan when I catch my reflection in the mirror. My black eye is long gone, but I still look like I’ve been in a fight—with the bus, sleep deprivation, and maybe a bear.

“Hey, you’re looking good,” Dixon calls from across the room, his grin way too wide for this hour. “You bringing that mug to the ball?”

“Jealousy isn’t a good look, Dix,” I fire back, grabbing my phone to distract myself.

While we wait for the tailor to set up, I shoot off a quick text to Anna.

Just landed. Team tux fitting at the arena. You up?

Barely. Did you even sleep?

Nah. Sleep’s overrated.

Lies. Text me after?

Yeah, I’ll come by when we’re done.

It’s a simple conversation, but I find myself grinning at my phone like an idiot. Even half-asleep, Anna’s quick wit and sarcasm manage to make me feel like I’ve got all the energy in the world.

“You’re smiling at your phone,” Sawyer says, appearing beside me. “Anna, or did you finally get a good meme?”

“The former.” I shove the phone back in my pocket.

“Uh-huh,” he says, smirking.

Dixon leans against his locker, adding, “Another event. I’d rather be home watching TV, fellas, than hanging with you another day.”

Before I can shoot back another sarcastic reply, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, expecting another message from Anna, but instead, Mia’s name lights up the screen.

I swipe to answer. “What’s up?”

“Where are you?” she asks, skipping any kind of greeting. Her voice is sharp, laced with that edge she only gets when something’s really wrong.

“Just got back. Why?”

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