Page 111 of Runaway Bride and Prejudice

As to why I think she’s intentionally torturing me, it was the way she patted my shoulder and whispered “Have fun” in a sing-song voice before she left me thirty seconds ago. If she doesn’t suspect something already happened between Van and me, she is trying to encourage something between us.

I clear my throat and look everywhere but at Van. I can feel him looking nowhere but at me.

The guys must have come off the ice because they’re in practice gear aside from their helmets. Other than some footageI’ve watched online in a weak moment, I haven’t really seen Van in a jersey and pads.

It’s … a really good look on him. Masculine and a little intimidating and—nope!

No ogling! Back on track, Mills!

Gah!Van has even poisoned my internal monologue with his nickname.

“So, um, let’s get started,” I say. “I’ll keep it brief. I’m sure you all have important hockey things you’d rather be doing.”

Eli laughs, leaning back in his chair. “No way! We don’t mind. Your dad is making everyone else do four lines.” When I stare blankly back at him, he adds, “It’s a drill.”

“One that involves a lot of skating back and forth at full speed,” Alec says. “A lethal combination of boring and exhausting. So, please take your time.”

“I don’t know,” Van says, “I’m in the mood for a little matrimony. Sorry—I meanmonotony.”

I cannot keep my eyes from him now but immediately wish I hadn’t looked. I was doingsowell before I looked. Okay—sort ofwell.Semi-well. Well-ish.

His dark hair is a little damp, probably sweat. Which should be gross but is somehow very, very hot instead. There’s the tiniest shadow of stubble on the jaw that was bare yesterday. Van’s espresso eyes blaze, sparking a matching flame inside me. Just like yesterday in Parker’s office, I can practically see him issuing a challenge.

But what does hewantfrom me?

“Sorry, no matrimony today.” I give him a smile that is both sweet and sharp. “But I’ll try to avoid monotony as well.”

Van reaches across and taps the paper Parker left. “Just stick to the questions, and I’m sure it will be fine. It’s always a safe bet to color in the lines and follow all the rules.”

From my periphery, I can see Eli and Alec exchanging looks at this back-and-forth, which is growing more bizarre by the moment. At least, for them. Van and I are having a whole other conversation, existing firmly in the subtext.

I keep my gaze pinned on his as I snatch the paper from the table. I crumple it in my hands, then toss it toward the trash can in the corner of the room.

I miss.

Van smirks.

I shrug. “Actually, I think I’ll just wing it today. I’m in the mood to live on the edge. Make impulsive decisions. Let loose. You know how it is.”

Van narrows his eyes. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. You might make a choice you regret.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say,I regret nothing—which would have been ahugemistake—but Eli speaks first.

“Um,” he says, scratching the blond scruff on his jaw. “Are we still talking about the interview?”

I straighten in my chair and smile at Eli, then Alec, whose gaze is bouncing between Van and me. He looks like he’s about to ask a question I don’t want to answer, so I clear my throat. Then realize I didn’t even skim the questions Parker left. I can’t remember what the focus of this interview was going to be.

Awesome.

“Maybe you could start with the basics,” Van suggests. I’m slightly relieved until he follows this with: “Like, our relationship statuses.”

I swallow. Before I can disagree, Alec says, “Single. Happily single, I might add.”

Eli raises his left hand, a ring glinting in place. “I’m married,” he says with a huge grin. “Heard you met my wife last night.”

“I did. She’s really great.” I can’t help but think about what Bailey said about Van walking her down the aisle, and it makes my skin feel tight.

Van leans forward, elbows on the table. “Want to guess my relationship status, Amelia?”

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