Page 37 of Sven

“I’m Alice.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Natalie.”

“Nice to meet you, Natalie. I haven’t seen you around before. Who are you here with?”

“Oh, umm... Sorry, I’m here with Sven’s daughter.”

“Ooohh,” Alice said, her face full of understanding. “I heard about that. I can’t believe what happened. Are you from the area?”

“Is it that obvious?”

Alice shrugged.

“No, I moved here over a month ago.”Wow, has it really been that long? Time is flying.“Are you here with a player?” Natalie asked, trying to get the attention off herself.

“Kinda,” she said with a smile. “I’m Coach Wagner’s daughter, but I’m also dating Taylor Campbell... Oh, and I’m here today taking pictures. I also work for the team—currently helping out with social media, but I’m just doing that for now. I’m trying to focus more on my art.”

“Oh, really? You’re an artist?”

“Yeah, well, I’m trying to be.”

“I’ve always loved art. I met Bob Ross as a kid, and he gave me a painting lesson.”

“Shut up! How did you meet him?”

“My grandfather knew him and took me to meet him.”

“I loved all those old PBS shows. Who’s your grandfather, Mr. Roper?” Alice asked, laughing.

Natalie’s mouth dropped open. This wasn’t usually something she led with. Letting people know her grandfather was a beloved childhood figure for most people in the country was tricky. Kids everywhere had grown up watching his show, and everyone knew his name. Being his granddaughter was amazing, but it also came with lots of preconceived notions.

“Oh my god! Are you serious?”

Natalie shrugged.

“What is he like? Please tell me he’s not an ass. I hate it when famous people you loved as kids are assholes in real life.”

Natalie smiled. She’d been asked this question so many times, but she was always happy to let people know.

“No, with my granddad, what you see is what you get. He’s just that kind and caring in real life.”

“Well, that’s just wonderful,” said Alice before standing. “I need to go take some pictures, but we should hang out sometime.”

“I’d like that,” she said as she finished with her own laces.

She stood on her shaky ankles and made her way to the ice. Sven greeted her with a smile and a happy baby.

“How are you on skates? I forgot to ask.”

“We’ll see,” she said as she took his hand and slowly skated and wobbled.

“You got this.”

“Don’t you think you should focus on the baby in your arms and not the grown woman next to you trying to stand?”

“I think I can confidently handle both of you. I know you don’t follow hockey, but I’m a pretty good skater,” he said with a wink and his signature smirk.

She glared at him and shook her head, even though she loved that cocky side of him.

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