Page 51 of Sven

Alice just smiled as she watched him on the screen skating backwards. “Yeah, it did kind of happen fast, but when you know, you know.”

Natalie nodded as she watched Sven get the puck on his stick. Her eyes were glued to the TV, and her heart was in her throat as she watched him take off on a breakaway down the ice. Then he pulled back and flung the puck into the net. Natalie jumped to her feet, cheering. She knew there were probably fancy words for what he’d just done, but she didn’t know them. She just knew Sven scored and was being enveloped by the other players tapping his helmet.

She sat back on the couch and looked over at Alice, who was looking at her with a questioning expression.

“What?”

“Nothing...” Alice said as she turned her attention back to the screen.

“What?”

“Is there something going on with you and Sven?”

“What? With me and Sven? No. He’s my boss. Don’t be ridiculous, he’s just my boss. There is nothing going on.”

It was like she had lost control over the words coming out of her mouth.

Alice just raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

Natalie huffed. “I mean... I might have a little crush—I mean, look at him—but that’s all it is.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. We are strictly professional.”

“Okay,” Alice said, turning back to the game.

“I’m serious.”

“Okay.” Alice chuckled.

“You don’t believe me.”

“Does it matter?”

Natalie huffed again and crossed her arms.

“I mean, would it be so bad? I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and Daddy Sven seems to be turning over a new leaf. It might be good.”

Natalie turned her attention back to the game. She didn’t know what to say.

“Do you want a pizza?” Natalie asked.

“Yes,” said Alice with a grin. “How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?”

“I feel like it gets a bad rap because it’s delicious.”

“Me too! Ham and pineapple?”

“Let’s do it.”

They ordered a pizza and watched the game. It was a good one. The boys were in overtime, and Natalie was pacing as they skated a three-on-three sudden death. Out of nowhere, Gunnar got the puck and sent it to Sven, who took off down the ice. Natalie’s heart stopped as she watched him. Before she knewwhat had happened, he had the puck in the back of the net, and Natalie and Alice were yelling and cheering and jumping.

That’s when she heard Winnie over the baby monitor.

“Oh, shoot.”

“Sorry,” Alice said with a remorseful face.

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