Page 63 of The Love Trick

She bursts into giggles, leaning her head against my arm. “Yeah, I guess I did. Are you excited for the party tonight, Mr. NHL Superstar?”

“Don’t say it like that.” I laugh, cherishing the way it feels to have her warmth against me. “It makes me out to be a bigger deal than I am. I’m just the same guy I’ve always been. And we’re celebratingyou,not me.”

“Ha, yeah, okay.” We walk into the party, and Penny runs to greet the two of us, wrapping us in a warm hug.

“You did it!” She plants a kiss on Addy’s cheek. “Look at you, with your business degree.” Her bright red hair is up in a weird sort of bun on her head, and while I’ve never understood the eccentricity of Addy’s best girlfriend, I’m good with it. It keeps things interesting.

“I know.” Addy beams, and then looks at me. “And it’s crazy—Blaze is in the NHL. It’s like we’ve all made it.”

“What’re you going to do now?” Penny asks, handing us beers and leading us out to the backyard. “I bet you’re going to be a millionaire by the time you’re thirty.”

“No.” Addy laughs. “Though, if my family has their way, I’ll be married to one.” She frowns at that. “Did you know they’ve set me up with a date next week? His name’sArcher. We were friends in second grade, but then his family moved to London. I guess he’s back now.”

“Wow,” I say, my stomach flip-flopping. “What’s he like?”

Ihateit when we talk about Addy’s prospective boyfriends.

That, and I’ve finally decided—now that I’m making the kind of money in the NHL that can live up to her family’s standards, I’m going to tell Addy that I’m in love with her.

And tonight’s the night I’m gonna do it.

“He’s not my type.” Addy looks up at me, her gaze lingering for a few moments. My heart hammers in my chest. She turns back to Penny, the two of them going on and on about Penny’s new boyfriend—one she thinks she’s going to marry.

I stand there and listen to the best of my ability, but tonight, my goal is to get Addy alone so I can finally tell her what I’ve been holding onto for the last few years. I’ve been quiet about my feelings since we met…

But tonight, I want to be loud and vocal about them.

Now, I can meet her family’s expectations. I can be the millionaire she marries by the time she’s thirty. My head starts to imagine that scenario, and my palms start to sweat.

I can do this.

I can tell her that she’s the one for me.

Then she won’t have to go out on a date with Archer.

“Oh my gosh, he’s cute,” Penny hums, staring at Addy’s phone. “Andthisis Archer?”

I swallow the lump in my throat, telling myself to ignore it. Penny calls any guy with a facecute. Archer is no different, I’m sure.

I roll my shoulders and then slip off to grab another beer. I pop the top and head back, seeing that Addy is finally alone.

Just tell her.

It’s now or never.

“Hey, you okay?” Addy looks at me, probably noticing that I might pass out at any moment.

“Yeah, totally,” I tell her. “Can we talk though?”

She giggles. “Wearetalking.”

“I mean, with a little more privacy.” I choke on my words.

Addy knits her brows together. “Oh, yeah, of course.”

I nod and grab her hand to lead her further from the crowd. It’s not the first time I’ve held her hand, but it’s the first time I’ve done it with the intention of not letting go. I have to admit, it’s getting to me.

“Is everything okay?” Addy pulls her hand from mine as soon as she turns to face me.

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