Page 12 of Faking It with my Hockey Crush

Still flustered and searching for words, I reply. “I have to get back to work.”

As I turn away from him and head down the street, he calls after me. “Still no appointments?”

“Nope,” I call back.

The next day is worse.

I’m not in the office for more than a half hour when a delivery arrives. It’s not the normal delivery of antiseptic wipes or paper rolls that I use on my medical bed. Oh, no. It’s a huge bunch of roses.

“This cannot be happening,” I cry once the delivery guy leaves.

Sharon is nearly jumping up and down with delight. “Who are they from?”

I give her a look. We both know exactly who they’re from. She grins widely, and then shrugs, like it isn’t a big deal. But it’s a big deal to me.

You should be happy there’s a guy paying you attention.

I ignore my inner voice and watch Sharon snatch the card from amongst the blooms. Tearing it open, she reads it out. “The first of many.”

“What?” I gasp. “No. No way. This has gone far enough.”

Grabbing my coat and hat, I fly out the door and head down the street. I need to put an end to this, and I need to do it now. I should have done it two days ago, but now is better than never.

Barging into The Rusty Spoon, I watch Jimmy’s head jerk up at my unusual entrance. I’m a reasonably quiet, demure person who doesn’t make waves, which is likely why he’s gawking at me as I approach the counter.

“What’s the matter?” he gasps.

“This ends today, Jimmy. Either I pay for our lunch from now on, or I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

A strange look comes over his face, and I’m pretty sure he’s trying to hide a smile. He then hands something to me. It’s a business card with nothing but a phone number on it.

“He said to give you this.”

I know exactly who he’s talking about. I’m just struggling to comprehend his foresight.

Jimmy smiles. “He knew you’d lose it eventually.”

“Did he now?”

“Hey, Emma. He’s just trying to be nice,” Jimmy says, giving me a soft look.

When I leave the diner, my mind is a mess of thoughts. Not least of which is whether I might have overreacted to the situation. I mean, Jimmy isn’t wrong. Ryan probably is trying to be nice. He’s doing it to get his own way, but still.

But I have a very secure feeling that he’s not going to quit, either. So, what do I do?

Just call him.

5

Ryan

“Hello?” I say, answeringmy ringing phone to a number I don’t recognize.

“Mr. Steele,” Emma Carter’s voice travels down the line.

“Miss Carter,” I reply, smiling widely.

I’ve been expecting this call. I’ll be honest, I was expecting it sooner, but I think the flowers pushed her over the edge.

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