Page 61 of Play to Win

“You bet.”Théo’s dad and mom head to the kitchen.

Théo starts introducing me to people.I recognize the names Théo mentioned earlier, glad I knew them ahead of time.When he gets to JP, tension thickens the air around us and Théo’s jaw tightens.

“Nice to meet you, JP,” I murmur.

“And this is Emma,” JP says.

The blonde next to him extends a hand to shake mine.She’s really pretty, with big blue eyes, long eyelashes, and perfect skin.“Hello, Lucy.”

“It’s Lacey.”Bitch.“Lovely to meet you.Great shoes.”

She glances down.“Thanks.”

I actuallyamenvious of the leopard Louboutins.They’re fabulous.

I study JP.There’s a definite family resemblance, and he and Théo are similar in size and build.And yet there’s something different.JP is good-looking, but I don’t feel any kind of tug of attraction like I do with Théo.

I catch the tense exchange of scowls between the brothers.

“Boys.”An older man approaches us.“Good to see you both.”

This must be Théo and JP’s grandfather.And Théo’s boss.I have to admit I’m curious to meet the patriarch of this big hockey family.The king.Ha.

“Hi, Grandpa,” JP says with a smile.“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“That’s not my fault,” Mr.Wynn growls, shaking his grandson’s hand.

JP’s smile falters.“This is Emma.Emma, my grandfather Bob Wynn.”

“You look familiar.”Mr.Wynn eyes Emma with narrowed eyes.

“That’s because the last time you saw her she was with Théo,” Aline says tautly, still smiling.

The air goes static around us.

Emma grimace-smiles and shakes Mr.Wynn’s hand.“Yes, we have met before.”

Mr.Wynn stares at Emma then at JP.

“She’s with me now,” JP says.

Théo’s watching this with what appears to be ...amusement.Huh.I slide my arm through his and hug it.He glances down at me and winks.I meet his eyes and we share a look of hilarity.I’m surprised he’s not more tense about this meeting.Although I do feel the hostility between him and JP.

“And this is Lacey,” Théo says.

Bob Wynn is in his seventies and fixes me with a smile that’s still ...wow, sexy.In a charming devil kind of way.He’s a big man too, although not as big as his grandsons, with a twinkle in his dark blue eyes as he greets me.“For Chrissakes, Théo, you could have told me you were married.Jesus.”

I blink at his cussing.Not that I don’t cuss.I love the F word more than any other.It just seems a bit odd in a first meeting.Nonetheless, my smile is genuine as he shakes my hand, studying me.

“You’re beautiful,” he says.“Good work, Théo.”

I stop myself from wrinkling my nose, feeling a bit objectified, but I’ll give him a pass since we just met.

“My wife, Chelsea.”Bob indicates the woman next to him.

Chelsea’s smile is warm albeit a touch reserved, and she extends a hand to me.I shake it, and her grip is firm and assured.I like that.I’m a little taken aback at the age difference between her and Bob, though.He’s in his early seventies; she can’t be much more than fifty.

She’s beautiful, her blond hair cut in a chin-length bob of messy waves, her lips a shiny pale pink, blue eyes perfectly made up.If she did her makeup herself, she’s good at it.She too is wearing Louboutin shoes that I could weep over and an expensive-looking black dress that flatters her slender shape.Huge diamonds sparkle on her left hand.

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