Page 38 of The Girlfriend Zone

“So…are we handing these out tonight?” Josie asks innocently.

We all burst out laughing. “As much as I love dicks, the answer is no,” Maeve says. “There will be adults there.”

“Surely you don’t mean the hockey team by adults?” Everly teases.

“You don’t want the whole team getting tiny dicks as a gift?” Josie deadpans.

“The Sea Dogs can eat dicks all night long, but it’s more like my aunt and her friends that I probably shouldn’t give mini cocks to,” Maeve clarifies, since her aunt’s hosting the party. “Let’s keep these just for us,” she says, giving Fable a pointed look. “These are a joke, right?”

“Do they taste like a joke?” Fable counters, then relents. “Of course. They’re just for us.”

Everly sobers, leaning in, her blonde ponytail swishing closer to me. “Your dad will be there too?”

“Yep,” I reply, shrugging. “Everyone’s going.”

She gives me a knowing look. “So…that means Miles too? How’s that going to be for you?”

Inwardly, I feel a twist of nerves but I keep my expression neutral. They know the basics—I’ve told them about the one perfect date we shared. A date that couldn’t be repeated. But I haven’t told them how hard it’s been to keep my distance. What’s the point? I need to keep moving forward.

In life, in work…in everything.

I shrug, forcing a smile. “It’ll be fine. Good, even. Let’s just say it’ll be interesting.”

The food arrives, and as I eat my veggie burger, my mind wanders once more to tonight. I’ve seen Miles ahandful of times in the last year—in the stairwell, in his car after the community garden event, in the hallway post-auction.

Tonight will be different in one big way. There won’t be a chance to be alone.

MainLine is buzzing, the spacious coffee shop packed with friends, family, and…the team. Lights glint off glasses and silverware, and the space feels sparkly with celebration. The music is softer here, with an old standards vibe, and I’m grateful. But I’m still on edge, knowinghe’ssomewhere in the crowd.

It’s summer and hot for September. I’m wearing jeans and a silky black sleeveless top—at least, that’s what I tell myself. It’s not that Miles likes the ink on my arms so much he once bought me earrings that reminded him of my tattoos—earrings I’m wearing tonight.

I don’t have to look for him; he’s already here, chatting at the counter with the guys. I should’ve been ready for it—that jolt I felt when I saw him earlier tonight—the first time I’ve seen him since the season ended. But it surprised me again tonight, maybe because he looks so good. Like he’s worked out even more in the off-season. His arms are stronger, chest broader, and his hair a little longer and messier.

I’m not complaining.

I’m acutely aware of him across the coffee shop, which is closed for the private party but serving champagne and, naturally, coffee spiked with liquor. But I stick with a group of friends, where Maeve is thanking us for the real party favors—chocolates shaped likepaintbrushes, hockey sticks, and a ring for their marriage.

“You’re the best, and I love you,” Maeve says, pulling us into a group hug. When we let go, I grab my camera from my bag and snap a few pictures. “I can’t resist,” I say, since I want her to have pictures of tonight.

“You’re the best,” she says again, then nods to my camera. “And you better send me those.”

“Obviously,” I say. “Also, just try to stop me from taking more all night long.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” she says.

“Good.”

“But I don’t want you to feel like you have to,” she adds, and it’s thoughtful the way she looks out for me professionally. There’s no need though.

“Trust me, I want to,” I add.

“Thanks.” Then she leans closer, her gaze straying across the room briefly before she turns back to me, saying in a lower voice, “And someone can’t take his eyes off you.”

My body reacts instantly—a tingle slides down my spine, chased by excitement. I shouldn’t want this. I really shouldn’t. And yet I want to eat up her comment with a spoon.

Stupid. So stupid.

“Well, he should probably stop, since my dad is here,” I say. That’s why I can’t talk to Miles tonight—I don’t want to give a thing away. This is just a party, and I’m just another face in the crowd tonight.

---