Page 56 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

He stops right in front of us, his stick tapping against the plexiglass with an audiblethunkthat feels like a scolding all on its own. Even through his face mask, his frown is visible, a stern expression that makes him look like a peeved gladiator.

His gaze darts between Nova and me, as if catching two kids red-handed with a jar of cookies.

Yikes.

“You let her hold the sign?” he shouts, his voice muffled but clear enough for me to catch. His massive shoulders rise in protest, gloves raised as if he’s calling foul. “That wasn’t part of the deal!”

I squint, doing my best to read his lips and piece together his tone, though the indignation is practically radiating off him.

“She took it!” I shout back, throwing my hands up in mock surrender. “What was I supposed to do,fight her for it?”

Nova leans into the exchange and adds her two cents. “I’m scrappy! She wouldn’t have stood a chance!”

He huffs, his lips twitching upward like he’s trying not to laugh. Then, with exaggerated deliberation, he tips his helmet slightly forward before skating backward with an effortless grace that belies his size, stick tapping once more as he heads toward the goalie box.

God damn he’s sexy…

“You’re drooling,” his sister teases.

I snap out of it, hand reflexively brushing the corner of my mouth—just to check, of course. “Am not.”

“Don’t bother denying it.” Nova plops down into her seat. “I enjoy being the matchmaker for once.”

“For once?” I echo, raising a brow as I fold my arms and settle in beside her, gaze affixed to the ice. “Are you saying you usually scare people away?”

She gasps, clutching her chest in mock horror like I’ve just insulted her honor.

“Excuseyou, I’m a fantastic wing woman. But,” she leans in conspiratorially, lowering into me. “It’s rare that I get to sit back and watch the sparks fly all on their own. Gio has never actually chased a woman I told him about—he usually ignores my suggestions. You’re a first.”

Out on the ice? Her brother is impossible to ignore, all focus and precision as he fields practice shots from his teammates.

“Face-off in two minutes, three seconds,” Nova singsongs, glancing at the scoreboard. “Plenty of time for him to score a date.”

I shoot her a sidelong look. “Are you ever not meddling?”

“No. I’m his twin, his business is my business.”

My head shakes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She freezes for a second, then waves her hands frantically, like she’s trying to retract the words. “Wait, that’s not what I meant! I mean… his past girlfriends were awful. Total puck bunnies. You know the type—only interested in him for his money or the NHL connections. I didn’t mean I’m an impossible pain in the ass to deal with, I swear!”

I arch a brow, folding my arms as I lean back in my chair. “Sounds a little like you’re playing hockey mom.”

She groans, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated with herself. “God, no. I swear, I’m not that bad. I just... okay, maybe I’m a little overprotective, but only because I care, you know?”

I soften, the edge in my tone giving way to understanding. “I get it. You just want the best for him.”

“Exactly!” she exclaims, slapping her knees in mock victory,her expression lighting up. “The night I bumped into you at Five Alarm, you were so animated and fun, the first thing I thought to myself was:Gio has to meet this woman.”

I smile at that, warmth creeping into my chest despite myself. She flatters me and I’m falling for it.

“And here I am.”

She grins, leaning back in her seat like she’s basking in her own matchmaking success. “And here we are.”

The weight of her words hangs between us for a moment, comfortable and light, and I can’t help but laugh softly even though she probably cannot hear it over the noise.

“You really don’t take a day off, do you?”

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