Page 16 of The Cupcake Cottage

“I want what’s best for Maverick,” she said softly, pushing the papers back at Louis. “He’s a good man. A friend.”

She forced herself not to say more, to believe that he wasn’t behind this.

“This is helping Maverick and our team,” Louis said, gesturing to the article. “Rookies couldn’t get deals, but their phones are ringing today. Because of this.”

There was no way that could be true. Daisy-Mae glanced at Maverick. He nodded.

“Fans seem to like seeing you together.” Louis slid a piece of paper across his desk.

It was a printout from social media. A photo of her with Dezzie Dragon in the players’ box during a practice with Maverick leaning over the gate to chat with her. Both of them were full of smiles. Someone had snapped it during an open-to-the-public practice while she and Violet had been practicing moving around the arena. The headline said “I knew it!”

“Can I see?” Maverick asked, reaching for the page. He glanced at it, his expression softening. “Remind me to follow this account.” He placed the photo back on Louis’s desk.

“Nice to see something positive for once, huh?” Louis smiled at Maverick who nodded.

“This isn’t true though,” Daisy-Mae pointed out.

“Fighting or denying this may make a bigger mess for Maverick,” Louis warned.

“So what do we do?”

“Why don’t the two of you consider this?” Louis said amicably. “Go out for supper—”

“So you can have more photos taken?” Maverick asked.

“Yeah?” Daisy-Mae backed him up.

“And the team will pay the tab as an apology,” he said in a calm tone no doubt meant to soothe their ruffled feathers. “You both work hard for the Dragons. And if nothing else, you can celebrate the fact that one rookie was already offered a sponsorship deal on the tail of this news.” Louis tapped the papers on his desk. “Ultimately, what you decide to do in your private lives is none of the team’s business.”

But what if dating Maverick was part of her new contract? One of those clauses that weren’t written down because they were illegal but would be reinforced by her contract not being renewed if she didn’t play nicely?

And if it was decided that they should continue this public ruse, hanging out with Maverick like they were a couple wouldn’t exactly cramp her style or any immediate dating plans.

“Wait.” Daisy-Mae ran Louis’s words through her head again. “You’re saying that rookies weren’t getting deals? But this has only been out for a few hours…”

“The sponsor asked about the two of you.”

“And you said what?” Maverick asked.

“The PR team informed them that neither of you are married, and that you’ve been friends since you were kids. They ate it up.” He shrugged again. “You two look good together and have that magic everyone can see.”

“But…” There had to be a clincher of a reason to say absolutely no to this crazy idea. She turned to Maverick. “What if true love comes along, but you’re pretending to date me?”

“I doubt that would be a problem.” He wouldn’t look at her.

“Why?”

He was silent for a long beat. “Because I’m unlucky in love.”

“No. You’re fussy. You barely even dated in high school.”

“I’ve always been busy with hockey—which is where Iamlucky. I can’t have a horseshoe with me in every area of my life. It’s difficult to find someone who understands my lifestyle.”

“You’re fussy.”

“Fine. I’m fussy. I’m searching for the right princess to wear the glass slipper I keep in my back pocket.” The way he looked at her seized her lungs. It felt like he was carrying that slipper for her, waiting for her to extend her foot. Maybe she should have said yes to the PR duo dressing her up in a princess gown.

“So. Supper. Tonight?” Louis asked, the hope in his voice clear.

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