Page 74 of Playoff

Hell, I don’t know if I ever stopped.

The ten years we were apart feel like ten minutes when we’re together like this.

But even if she loves me too, the road ahead is going to be complicated. Between my uncertain future in hockey, the no fraternization clause in her contract, and the inevitable trustissues after how much I hurt her before, I’m not sure how she could possibly think this—and I—are worth it.

TWENTY-THREE

Rowan

Date night.

I don’t know what that means.

Obviously, I understand the words and what it’s supposed to mean, but how does it translate to Blake and me? We’re in Vegas, and the boys lost last night. It was a close game, 2-1, but one bad bounce gave the hometown team the advantage. There was practice this morning, and then everyone was warned not to party. It’s Vegas, after all. I’m sure half the team will listen. The other half, well, it’s a crap shoot.

So that’s why I was surprised when Blake told me it was date night.

He also told me the destination was a surprise but that I didn’t have to dress up.

Which is why I’m standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom wondering if I look okay. It’s usually in the eighties during the day but the temperature drops considerably in the evening, so black jeans and a pretty top seem like the rightchoice. At least, I hope so since he won’t tell me where we’re going or what we’re doing.

I dab some gloss on my lips and fluff my hair.

This is as good as it’s going to get.

I slide my feet into a pair of cute flats, which is all I brought other than flip flops and the tennis shoes I wear for work. Then I head down to the lobby. We’re meeting at the hotel next door since we don’t want to be seen getting into a cab or Uber together, and I walk through the lobby, excited butterflies dancing around my chest.

I hate dating, but this is different.

This is Blake.

There isn’t going to be any getting-to-know-you small talk. No concerns about whether or not he’ll make a move on me—I know he will and can’t wait—and I already know we can talk about anything and everything.

“Hey.” He smiles as I join him in front of the hotel, where he motions for a cab.

We get in and head to the Strip, since we’re staying on the far end.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nope. Just relax.”

He puts an arm around my shoulders as we pull away and then leans in to brush his lips across mine.

“You look pretty.”

“Thank you.” I playfully run my hand down the front of his button-down shirt. “I like you in a dress shirt.”

“You see me in a dress shirt at every game,” he protests.

“Yeah, but that’s a full-on suit. This is… more casual. And a lot sexier.”

He chuckles. “Well, if you find it sexy, I’ll wear them more often.”

“Well…” I drop my voice to a conspirative level. “I like you naked the best, but I can live with the shirt.”

His lips find mine again, though we keep it chaste since we don’t need to put on a show for the driver.

“Dinner first, and then your surprise.”

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