Page 29 of Dream Girl Drama

Chloe started to answer, but stopped when Tallulah leaned over with a wary expression. “A topic of conversation how, exactly?”

“Usually, the hockey message boards are trade speculations or fans complaining about calls from the night before—”

“As they should,” Chloe said earnestly.

“Yes. But a thread popped up recently titled ‘Pink Jersey’ and the response was...”—he made an explosive sound—“... wild.It’s the longest message board thread to date. As in,ever. In the history of theGlobewebsite.” He squinted at Chloe. “You’re at every single home game and your presence has even been noted by fans watching from home. Mainly, because of your... enthusiasm in the stands. People want to know who you are.”

Chloe was distracted by the violent scuffle taking place over the man’s shoulder. Thankfully, Sig wasn’t involved in this one. “Oh, I’m—”

“Wait a sec, Chloe,” Tallulah interrupted, squeezing her arm. “Maybe you should talk to Sig before you answer any questions.”

Irving raised a dark eyebrow. “So youdoknow Sig Gauthier? Personally?”

The fascination in the man’s tone finally captured Chloe’s attention. Had he actually said there was a thread on theBoston Globewebsite concerning her pink jersey? “If people want to know where I had my jersey made, I’ll share the Etsy shop!” She brushed at the sleeves. “As far as I’m concerned, everyone here should be wearing a Gauthier jersey—he’s the best player on the team.” Wincing, she reached for her friend’s knee. “No offense, Tallulah.”

“None taken,” her friend responded with a dry smile.

“You’re the au pair turned girlfriend of Burgess Abraham,” Irving said, tossing a brief glance at Tallulah. “Right? And you’re sitting with Pink Jersey. Which is why a lot of people have speculated, considering Abraham and Gauthier are such good friends off the ice, that maybe Pink Jersey is...”

“From Glinda’s Glitz Haus,” Chloe replied, back to being transfixed by the game. Didn’t this man realize they were tied with five minutes to go in the third period? Crunch time had arrived, bitches. “Yes. It is,” she murmured, distractedly. “Fast shipping. Excellent packaging, too. Are you going to plug her on the website?”

Irving opened his mouth and closed it again. “I mean... sure.Sure. But I think what people are really wondering is whether or not you’re Gauthier’s girlfriend.”

“Oh!What?” Chloe’s heart sprouted legs and started running circles around her chest.Gauthier’s girlfriend.Those two words side by side reminded Chloe of the cold plunge back at the country club. How it felt to submerge herself in that shockingly cold water, before running with her teeth chattering to the hot tub and warming back up again. Freezing followed by hot. That’s what the phrase “Gauthier’s girlfriend” did to her system. Flash froze it. Baked it.

Someday, a girl would call herself by that title.

But it wouldn’t be her.

Who would she become to Sig when he eventually found someone he liked enough to date? Their relationship would have to change drastically, wouldn’t it? No more falling asleep together on her couch in front of the television. No more extralong hugs that led to even longer looks, the occasional nuzzle or stroke of her hair. No more calling him just to hear his voice. That wasn’t stepsister behavior. Two more months and they would officially have to stop toeing the danger line that was etched into the ground between them.

Living the life of a couple, knowing full well that could never be their reality.

Chloe forced humor onto her face, even though her windpipe had sealed itself shut. “No, I’m not his girlfriend. Of course not. My mother is marrying his father. Soon, too!”Smile. Bigger. That’s not big enough. Keep going.“In two months, actually. I just got back from a wedding dress fitting with my mother in Paris. Wedding preparations are well underway. It’s going to be the social event of the season, although people in Connecticut say that about every event, right down to the Botox parties. It really has lost all meaning.”

Irving stared back at her. “You’re Gauthier’s... stepsister.”

“Future.We’re not related by marriage yet.”

“So for now, you’re...”

Friends. Best friends.

Right.

“I think you’ve gotten enough for tonight,” Tallulah slid in, looking distinctly worried. “If you don’t mind, we’d love to watch the rest of the game.”

Irving shook himself. “Of course.” As soon as the reporter stood up, someone screamedpuck in play. “Uh...” He awkwardly hunkered halfway down, producing a white laminated rectangle from his pocket and handing it over to Chloe. “Here is my business card if you want to say anything else.”

Chloe looked at the card. “Oh. It really does say ‘glorified grunt.’”

The man flashed a distracted grin. “Told you so.”

She shook her head. “Why would people be interested in my relationship with Sig?”

“What can I say? Boston loves a rumor. They also love black-and-white facts.” His gaze ticked down to her jersey and back up. “When you can find a way to give them both, they eat it up, spoon and all.”

“That doesn’t sound awesome,” Chloe said slowly.

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