Page 48 of Suck My Puck

A teasing smile plays on her lips. “I know the perfect place.”

Chapter 16

Bella

Igaze up at the night sky, sparkling with a million stars.

I glance over at Braden lying next to me on the roof of his car. He’s staring up, his soft blue eyes focused, a gentle smile on his face.

My tummy flips. He’s been amazing this whole night, doting on me and taking care of me and listening intently while I vented about my ex.

I think about that look in Braden’s eyes. That focused, intense look. He wasn’t just half-heartedly paying attention, like so many other people would.

He actually listened to everything I said. He cared about my pain. He validated my feelings and comforted me.

I think about how he said I was the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

Tingles flash across my body.

At first, I thought he was just being nice. But he was telling the truth. I could tell by the way he looked at me and the tone of his voice. He meant it.

Those tingles turn into a hot flash. It’s probably silly just how much it means to hear him say that. But it’s the truth.Braden is insanely handsome. And a hockey star. A million hockey fans would give anything to spend time with him.

And this hockey hunk is lying on the roof of his car with me in the middle of the night because I wanted to go stargazing.

Hethinks I’m beautiful.Hethinks I’m out of my ex’s league.

This feeling and this time with Braden are what I want—what I need. And he always seems to know exactly what I need.

“I didn’t think you could see this many stars in the night sky just outside of Denver,” he says. “I figured there would be too much light pollution.”

“This spot is the best.”

We’re pulled on the side of the highway, ten minutes from Red Rocks Amphitheater. Red Rocks is a pretty popular star gazing spot, but it’s always so crowded, so I started coming to this spot years ago whenever I wanted an epic view of the stars.

Braden twists to look at me. “How’d you find this place?”

“I was bored in high school and had just gotten my license. My friends and I would drive around and try to find cool outdoor spots to hang out away from all the tourists. We were really into hiking and camping and stargazing. We were so pumped when we found this place.”

The corner of his mouth hooks up. “You and your high school friends sound pretty cool.”

I laugh. “We were dorks.”

“No way. You were definitely prom queen, pretty girl.”

I roll my eyes and laugh, despite the flip in my tummy. “I was a prom queen nominee. I lost the final vote.”

He grins. “Iknew it.”

“And what were you? Captain of the hockey team?”

“Goalies can’t be captain.”

“Oh, right.”

He clears his throat. “Hockey was pretty much my life in high school.”

I notice the lightness in his eyes dims the slightest bit.

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