Page 12 of The Sweetest Chirp

I balk at his question. “Sorry?” I ask, changing my voice to be a bit throatier and not as smooth as it usually is.

“I’m only asking because you look exactly like our friend Audrina.”

“Nope, I don’t have a sister,” I somehow get out as I plaster on a fake grin. “But I do get that people think they know me. It must be my OnlyFans.”

I’m totally joking, but they don’t need to know that. Like I wanted, Owen chokes on his OJ, while the other guy grins widely. He must play for the IceCats, too, because he’s built like a damn bull. All lethal muscle but designed for speed. He holds my gaze as he asks, “Can I get your handle?”

I force a snort, grinning back at him. Raven was right. The way he is looking at me, he is very thirsty. “Maybe.” I tap the table. “Enjoy. Raven will be back in a few.”

But before I can even lift my hand from the table, a large hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me dead in my tracks. I gawk at where Thatcher has my wrist in his hold before looking up to see his face turned up to mine. He throws off his hat then his glasses, and as his eyes bore into mine, my whole body burns. He swallows hard, his eyes searching mine, and all I can do is stand there, locked in his gaze, at his mercy.

I’m such an idiot.

I thought I had this under control, but I’m the fool who brought a knife to a gunfight.

“Audrina,” he whispers, and my stomach drops at the rawness of my name on his lips. His eyes shine, and I can’t move or say a thing.

I shake my head. “No, my name is Maria.”

“Yes, Audrina Maria Hawkins.”

My stomach twists in on itself, my whole body breaking out in gooseflesh as I hold his gaze. He clears his throat but doesn’t move or say another word. Instead, Owen says, “I don’t think it’s her.”

“It is. I know her, don’t I, Audrina?”

My stomach clenches, my heart dead in my chest as I stare into the brown eyes I’ve been missing more with each passing day.

Somehow, I find my voice. “Let me go.”

“No.” Still holding my wrist, he stands up before pulling me into his arms. I want to say I fight it, that I put up some kind of resistance, but I can’t. I fall into his chest as he wraps his arms around me, and he nuzzles his nose into my hair. I sigh deeply into his chest as he tightens his arms. His lips move to my temple, and I know he feels my pulse pounding against his lips.He presses a small kiss there before he moves to my ear, and the emotion in his voice is almost my undoing. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”

I melt against him as he pulls back to look at me. He reaches up before licking both thumbs. I freeze in awe as he rubs them along my cheeks, under the rims of my glasses. His eyes darken, his lips curving up as he breathes, “There you are.”

Tears spring to my eyes, but before I can utter a word or take off, I hear the name everyone here knows me by.

“Maria.” Ruby’s voice sends chills down my spine. I pull back quickly, praying that when I turn I don’t see what I know is waiting for me. I move away from Thatcher, and his eyes are wild, tears flooding them. “Darling, I think sweet thing has a bit of a fever.”

I’m unable to look to where I know Ruby is standing. Instead, I watch Thatcher direct his gaze over my shoulder. I watch as his brows pull in and he tries to process what he is seeing. I watch as the realization of what’s before him hits him square in the chest. He actually takes a step back, grasping the table for balance. I watch as his face turns white, his eyes widening, his lips parting, and I swear he isn’t breathing.

I watch as he sees his daughter for the first time.

CHAPTER SIX

There are many things in my life I have been absolutely sure of.

That I was meant to play professional hockey.

That I was born first to be my little sister’s hero.

That I was meant to be Audrina Hawkins’s best friend.

That I knew, even though I was drafted out of high school, I wanted to get my degree in sports medicine. Plus, hockey isn’t guaranteed, especially with how a simple injury could take you out in mere seconds.

That I would die for my sister and my parents. The same goes for Anya and William, who are more my aunt and uncle than just friends of the family. I knew I’d keep my promise to everyone, and I would find Audrina.

That I was absolutely wrong for what I said to her the morning after I left my bed.

That there is nothing in this world that can deter me from loving her.

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