Page 31 of One Pucking Chance

She reaches across the table and covers my hand with hers. “I don’t want to hurt you, Jaden. I know you had hoped for more. I do value this friendship, and the last thing I’d want to do is take advantage of you or hurt you in any way.”

“Anna.” I turn my hand beneath hers and thread our fingers together. Squeezing gently, I say, “Anna, I’d rather fake date you than never have fake dated you at all.”

She giggles. “Jaden, be serious.”

“I’m a hundred percent serious, and I’m telling you that you will not hurt me one bit. I can promise you that. I’m a big boy. You aren’t taking advantage of me. I offered. You’re my friend, and you’re in a bind. And I want to help. It’s a couple of friend outings with some paparazzi photos. I promise I have no grand ideas that it will be more than that.”

I don’t believe the words I’m saying, even as I give her my most serious face. The truth is, she could crush me and ruin my heart for anyone else. The smart thing to do would be to heed her warning and drop it, but I’ve never claimed to be very smart.

This is my dream girl, and it’s impossible for me to turn down the opportunity for more time with her. This is my chance, and I’m not going to blow it.

“Okay,” she says.

“Okay?” My voice rises an octave as I jump up from my seat.

“Yes.” She nods, standing. “Let’s do it.”

“Nice!” I give her another high five.

“This is going to be fun.” I wag my eyebrows.

She points a finger at me. “Do not make me regret this, Jaden. Remember, you’re doing this to help me, not make things worse.”

“I’d never make your life harder. Don’t worry.”

“Oh, I’m worried.” She blows out a breath.

I shoot a quick text to the limo driver. “Alright. We should get you back. You have to wake up early tomorrow.”

“That I do.” She grabs a small purse from one of the chairs and meets me by the door.

“What?” I eye her up and down. “No giant bag of Crane swag?”

She chuckles. “I think Miranda got enough for us both and then some.”

“I meant to tell you that you look absolutely amazing by the way. That jersey is”—my eyes wander over her body once more—“simply perfection on you. And the hearts are cute.” I tap her cheek.

“Thanks.”

I open the door to the suite and extend my hand. She takes it, and I thread my fingers through hers.

“Jaden?”

“We’re dating, right?”

“Oh yeah, right.” She nods and squeezes my hand.

I lead her through the halls, and we run into Eddy.

“Oh, hey… J-man, I just finished sharpening your skates. They’re back in your locker.” He’s chatting in his usual cheerful manner, oblivious to the woman at my side. In fairness, I’ve had a lot of women at my side over the years, but they never stick around for longer than a night. His demeanor shifts when he takes a second to register that it’s Annalise’s hand in mine. He morphs from his usual chill persona into a mumbling mess. “Oh… hi, Ms. Annalise.” He actually starts to bow before correcting himself. Standing up straight, he looks around as if he’s trying to find someone to save him.

I attempt to hide my amusement. Poor guy. I know exactly how he feels. Annalise has a way of turning strong men into mush. “Eddy, my man. This is my girlfriend, Annalise. Anna, this is the best equipment manager in the league and one of the team, Eddy.”

I refuse to let Anna’s hand go, so she awkwardly extends her free one. “Hi, Eddy. So nice to meet you. So you take care of the skates?”

Eddy shakes Anna’s hand, and his face lights up when he registers her question. If Eddy could talk about anything ad nauseam, it would be his job. I wasn’t just blowing smoke when I said he was the best in the league at what he does. “Oh, it’s more than skates.”

Before I can stop him, he’s all smiles as he jabbers on about his duties on the team. I love the guy, I do, but Anna and I have places to be. “Eddy.” I interrupt him. “I’m sorry, but we have a car waiting for us.”

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