Page 43 of The Pucking Player

The way she’s looking at me now, all soft and warm, makes my heart do a funny little flip. It’s a feeling I’m not used to, but I think I could get addicted to it.

“So,” I say, leaning toward her. “Looks like we might be stuck here another night. Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”

Sophie’s blush deepens, but there’s a glint in her eye that tells me she’s not entirely opposed to the idea. “I’m sure we’ll think of something,” she says, her voice low.

And once more, I’m reminded why I’m falling so hard for this girl.

16

#CAUGHTINTHEACT

SOPHIE

I’m sprawled on Jessica’s obscenely comfortable couch, wondering if it’s socially acceptable to marry a piece of furniture.

The late January sun is doing its best impression of a mood light, casting long shadows across Jess’s living room. It’s that magical time of day when everything looks like it’s been dipped in honey—warm, golden, and sticky sweet. Kind of like my feelings for Liam. But we’re so not dwelling on that.

I’ve just handed over the gala dress to Jess, freshly dry-cleaned.

“So,” Jess drawls, settling into the armchair across from me. The fire crackles merrily in the background, like it’s providing a soundtrack to what I’m sure is about to be an interrogation worthy of the Spanish Inquisition. “Spill, baby girl.”

I blink at her, going for innocent. “Spill what? The tea? Because I haven’t even touched my mug yet, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Jess rolls her eyes so hard, I’m worried they might get stuck that way. “Don’t play dumb, you little scoundrel. You know exactly what I mean. The gala. The snowstorm. You and Liam getting stuck at the bed and breakfast? In separate rooms, as far as Dad’s concerned. And you’re welcome, by the way…”

I groan, burying my face in her very expensive looking throw pillow. “There’s nothing to tell,” I mumble into the fabric, which smells suspiciously like it’s been laundered in liquidized hundred-dollar bills.

“Uh-huh,” Jess says, in a tone that clearly says she’s not buying what I’m selling. “That’s why you walked in here with that dopey smile. Because nothing happened. I can tell you got your cherry popped, girlie. So, how was it?”

I peek out from behind the pillow. “I do not have a dopey smile.”

“You do,” she insists. “It’s like you’ve been hit with a happiness stick. It’s disgusting. And I love it.”

I toss the pillow at her, which she catches with infuriating ease. “Fine. Maybe...maybe something happened. Or almost happened, then happened all the way. Ugh… Alright, alright,” I concede noticing her ‘cut the crap’ look. “It was amazing!” I blush to the roots of my hair, my face burning.

Jess leans forward, her eyes sparkling with more excitement than should be legal. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Start from the beginning. And don’t you dare leave out a single juicy detail.”

As I open my mouth to spill the beans, I ask myself how did I, Sophie Novak, pre-med student and certified nerd, end up with a story worthy of a romance novel?

Oh right. Liam O’Connor happened.

“Well,” I start, feeling my cheeks heat up, “it wasn’texactly what you think. We didn’t... I mean, we did, but not right away. Ugh. Long story short, Liam was really patient.”

Jess raises an eyebrow. “Patient?”

I nod, fiddling with the hem of my sweater. “Yeah. He, um, he found out I was a...you know. I had no experience. And he said we’d wait because I had a few drinks at dinner. That he wanted me to remember everything.”

“Wow,” Jess breathes. “Color me impressed. And then?”

“Then he was... God, Jess, he was so gentle. And attentive. And passionate. It was...” I trail off, my face burning hotter than the fire crackling beside us.

Jess grins, leaning forward. “It was what, Soph? Amazing? Mind-blowing? Earth shattering?”

“Everything I ever imagined it would be,” I squeak, reddening to the roots of my hair.

Jess lets out a delighted laugh. “Oh, baby sis. I’m so happy for you. And a little jealous, if I’m being honest. Sounds like Liam’s got some mad skills.”

I peek out from between my fingers. “He really does. There’s so much more to him than I thought.”

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