Page 93 of Captain's Claim

“Looks amazing, babe!” Natalie adds, her voice carrying over the gentle acoustic guitar playing in the corner.

Clara grins, and gives us a thumbs-up before returning to her whirlwind of activity.

“She’s incredible,” Mia says, shaking her head in admiration. “I don’t know how she does it.”

“Magic,” Natalie replies with a wink. “Pure magic. And to think she's still single? Come on, what hope do we have?”

Mia and Natalie laugh together, but quickly their focus turns to me.

“Alright, ladies,” I say, setting my glass down with a determined clink. “What’s the plan for tonight?"

“Oh, definitely girl talk,” Mia says, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “You guys were away for too long, and I want all the juicy details about you and Blake.”

Natalie smirks. “Yeah, spill it, Sophia. We’ve seen the way he looks at you. We've seen the posts on the Icehawks account. Come on, is this all for real?”

Mia hums. "Because it lookssodelicious."

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks and try to play it off with a laugh.

“There’s not much to tell,” I say casually. “We’re just... figuring things out.”

“Uh-huh,” Natalie says skeptically. “Figuring things out while he practically undresses you with his eyes every time you’re in the same room?”

Mia giggles. “Ryder says the chemistry whenever you're down at practice is off the charts!”

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. “Okay, okay. Maybe there’s a little more to it than that.”

Natalie leans forward, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Do tell.”

Sipping my drink, I try to push the thoughts of the board meeting today out of my mind. They see me and Blake as a marketing tool, not as real people with real lives.

But I can't exactly tell the two sets of love-heart shaped eyeballs staring at me right now that, can I?

I never got around to calling my mom. I can already hear her voice in my head, filled with disappointment and concern about my professional work. She’d want me to stand up for myself, to demand respect and authenticity.

But I can't think about that now. Not here, not tonight.

I need this night with Natalie and Mia.

“Well,” I begin, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves as I think about Blake. “He’s... different than I expected. Underneath that tough exterior is someone who really cares about his team.Andthis community.”

“And you,” Mia adds with a knowing smile.

I shrug, trying to hide my own grin. “Maybe.”

Natalie raises an eyebrow. “Oh, come on, Sophia. That's nothing. We want details! The good stuff.”

“Fine,” I relent, laughing at their eager expressions. “But only if you promise to share your own stories one day too.”

“Deal!” they chorus.

I roll my eyes, trying to downplay the whole thing before diving into a half-hour long retelling of everything that happened before the road trip, after the road trip, leading right into the way he helped me button up my dress before I left for tonight.

I'm careful not to delve too far into Blake's past, and skim over the details he confided in me about his hatred for birthdays.

“So, we’re kind of just... spending time together. That’s all," I eventually conclude after talking for what feels like forever.

Natalie snorts, clearly not buying it. “Hmmmm. I'm not buying it. Just spending time together? Babe, that’s what I say about this martini, and yet, I’ve already ordered a fourth.”

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