Page 33 of Snowed In With the PUCK

I’m not sure how long I sit there, staring at the floor, until my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Jessica.

Jessica:I think we should both just focus on work for now. It’ll help us avoid any more misunderstandings.

I stare at the screen, feeling the finality in her words. She’s distancing herself, making it clear this whole thing is done. And maybe she’s right. Maybe focusing on hockey is what I need to do. But it doesn’t stop the ache in my chest.

I don’t reply. What would I even say?

***

I pull into the driveway of the Stanton house, and the silence of the place feels heavier than usual. I don’t even bother turning on the lights as I step inside, letting the darkness wrap around me. The weight of the day presses down harder now—Jessica’s text, the headlines, the mess I’ve made of everything.

I head into the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the fridge, and lean against the counter. The house feels too big, too empty. And all I can think about is how much I wish things were different. How much I wish I could turn back the clock and do this whole thing over—be honest with her from the start, tell her how I really feel.

But I can’t.

Instead, I take a long sip of the beer, staring out into the dark, and wonder if I’ve lost her for good.

Chapter sixteen

Jessica

I’m sitting at mydesk in the law office, staring at the papers in front of me, but not really seeing them. The beauty of the Denver skyline outside my window usually calms me, but today, it feels like a reminder of why I’m here. I’m here because my dad wanted me to take this “great” opportunity to work for an NHL team in their law firm. Well, that’s not what he really wants. He really wants me to work with him in entertainment law in LA. Regardless, I’m not here to fake date an NHL star. That was a mistake. But how could I say no? I can’t disappoint Dad. I think if I keep trying, one day I’ll actually please him.

I shovel my way through the paperwork, doing my best to get work done. It’s been like this all morning—going through the motions, pretending to be focused on work. I can’t stop thinking about Eric.

I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they creep back in. The feel of his hands on my skin, the way he looked at me that night—it wasn’t supposed to happen. We weren’t supposed to blur the lines.

And now everything’s a mess.

A knock on the door jolts me back to reality, and I glance up to see Jason standing in the doorway, his usual self-confident expression firmly in place. My boss is always so put together, every hair in place, his suit impeccably tailored. Today is no different. He steps into my office and shuts the door behind him, a file in his hand.

“Jessica,” he says, his voice dripping with that professional tone that always feels a little condescending, “we need to talk.”

“About what?” I ask, though I already know.

Jason tosses the file onto my desk and slides into the chair opposite me. He crosses one leg over the other, folding his hands neatly in his lap. “The headlines. About Eric and Allison.”

I feel a tightening in my chest, but I do my best to keep my face neutral. I’ve been avoiding looking at the news ever since yesterday, trying not to think about the photos of Eric and Allison that are circulating everywhere. The media’s having a field day with it.Trouble in Paradise?The headlines all scream the same thing: Eric’s cheating, Eric’s moved on, Eric and Jessica were never real. And sure that last one’s true, but it still hurts.

I shrug, trying to play it off. “I don’t care anymore.”

Jason raises an eyebrow. “You don’t care? Jessica, it’s yourjobto care. You and Eric are supposed to be maintaining this relationship for the public. You know how important this is for the team’s image—and for your own career.”

I let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in my chair. “I know, Jason. But I’m tired of pretending. I’m tired of faking this relationship just for the cameras. It’s a lot of extra work, extra mental strain. You have no idea.”

Jason gives me a long, calculating look. “You’re a lawyer, Jessica. You should be used to playing a role by now. This is no different from any other job requirement. It’s just PR, not real life.”

Not real life. The words sting more than I expect them to. Because, deep down, I know he’s right. It was never real—it wasn’t supposed to be. But somewhere along the way, it started to feel real for me. And that’s the problem.

I swallow the lump in my throat, refusing to let Jason see how much this is affecting me. “I’ll handle it,” I say, my voice clipped. “But I’m not happy about it.”

Jason nods, satisfied, and stands up. “Good. Because this is about more than just you, Jessica. This is going to reflect on your career advancement in this firm. And you can’t afford to let personal feelings get in the way of that.”

As if I needed the reminder. I watch as Jason leaves my office, the door clicking softly behind him, and I’m left alone with my thoughts again. I lean forward, resting my elbows on my desk and rubbing my temples. This is a heck of a lot to process. I wish I’d never gotten involved in this mess in the first place. I wish I’d never agreed to fake date Eric. And I wish I’d never fallen for him, because now I’m stuck in this nightmare with no way out.

The door to my office swings open without a knock, and my father strides in like he owns the place. His presence fills the room instantly, larger than life as always, his deep tan and perfectly styled hair giving him that unmistakable LA vibe. He’s wearing a designer shirt that might look age-appropriate on someone in their twenties, but on him it just looks… weird. And his jeans look far too tailored for someone who’s supposed to be a grown man, namely a grown man who is also my dad.

“Jessica!” he exclaims, throwing his arms out wide like we’re in the middle of a family reunion instead of my office. “You won’t believe the mess I had to go through to find parking out here. Denver’s gotten so busy with the ski season, hasn’t it?”

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