Page 21 of Love in Overtime

He gives a nod and heads over to the bar.

As soon as he walks away, I exhale sharply. I put two pieces of pumpkin bread and a maple-leaf-shaped cookie on my plate. I’ll start with dessert and maybe move on to the shots later. I look around for an empty table, when I spot Emmy from Falling for Books. I need to thank her for getting us an invitation to tonight’s festivities. I’ve already ordered her a fruit basket, which will be delivered to the store tomorrow.

“Emmy,” I call.

She looks over and waves. “Hey, Blair.”

“I wanted to thank you for your help in getting Cooper and me an invitation tonight. This party is amazing.”

“Sure,” she says. “Yeah, the Harrisons like to put on a big production and impress the community. Are you having fun?”

I spot Cooper standing in front of the bar talking to Dawson Hayes. I know from my hockey research that Dawson plays in the AHL and has a reputation for being quite the ladies’ man. Although, like I told Cooper, you can’t believe everything you hear.

“I am,” I say. “Cooper would rather be anywhere other than a social event, but that’s typical.”

Emmy and I talk for a few more minutes, and then Cooper returns with my drink. We find a table a good distance from the dance floor. I already know there’s no chance Cooper brought his dancing shoes.

I pop a bite of pumpkin bread into my mouth and instantly a burst of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg reach my taste buds. I’m a huge pumpkin everything fan, and this might be one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. I close my eyes as I savor every morsel. When I open my eyes, Cooper is watching me with curiosity.

“You have to try this,” I exclaim. I slide my plate over to him, and without a word he tears off a small bite. I watch as he chews.

“Well?”

“Very good,” he says. “I should probably get my own plate, so you don’t have to share.”

“I don’t mind sharing with you.”

Wow, Blair. Just say every word that’s on your mind.

Before Cooper has a chance to respond, my phone rings loudly. I totally forgot to put it on silent.

“Sorry,” I say, glancing at the screen to see a picture of my dad and me at Disneyland when I was little. I turn off the ringer.

“Nice picture,” Cooper says pointing to my phone. “You should probably answer that.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay. I know my dad’s just calling to ask me if I got your autograph for him yet.”

“My autograph?”

I nod. “My father is a big fan.”

I conveniently leave out the part about him only recently becoming a hockey spectator when I got this job.

Cooper’s eyes grow wide. “Really? A fan of me?”

I sigh. “Yep. Every time he calls me, he asks if I’m with you so he can say hi. For some reason he seems to forget I’m in Maple Falls for work. He’s even organized watch parties for the Ice Breakers games.”

I glance around at the twinkling lights, the decadent food, and the guests on the dance floor. Honestly this doesn’t even feel like work. And then there’s Cooper.

“Next time he calls, I’ll say hi,” Cooper offers.

I give him a surprised look. “Really? Thank you. He will be thrilled, and it would help me out with the spam calls.”

“No problem.” His eyes lock on mine, and then he quickly stands up.

“I think I’ll get a plate. Since Ihaveto be here, I might as well eat.”

“That’s the spirit,” I say. “Would you mind getting me more pumpkin bread?”

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