Page 32 of The Rebound Plan

When we get to the head of the line, Max goes first, and then heads back to the table.

“How are you doing, Shannon?” Russ asks, all casually warm and friendly. Different than how he was inside with me, but still nice. God, he’s so, so nice.

I exhale and hold out my plate. “Ready for a medium-rare steak if you have one on the smaller side.”

His eyes crinkle at the corners as he turns back to the grill. “Aye, I’ve got a strip loin with your name on it.”

I’m surprised he knows my favourite cut. I’m touched. “Thank you, Russell.”

From behind me, Emery squeaks.

I twist around to make sure she’s okay, and she’s jamming her two index fingers together. “What did you do?”

“Stubbed it.”

“Your…finger?”

“Yep. I’m fine.” She looks past me to Russ. “Nothing a little kiss won’t fix, right,Russell?”

We both pivot back, and he’s looking at Emery like she’s the most adorable pain in his side ever, which is…interesting.

It’s weird, mostly. But whatever floats their boat.

I murmur another thanks and get out of their way just as Emery smooshes her fingers against Russ’s mouth, and he tells her to settle down.

As plates are loaded up with the salads Emery made, and we devour the perfectly grilled steaks, the conversation shifts to their afternoon workout, and their plans for tomorrow. Golf first thing, then collecting the boat and jet skis, and then in the afternoon, Russ has booked some ice time at the local arena. Both tomorrow and the next day, they’ll skate together and bring the rookies into the fold, everyone sharing what they’ve learned from training with friends across the league over the off-season.

They drift to broader topics, too, like recently announced contracts, and the rookie camp that Jamie and Malik will be going to before training camp begins for everyone else.

But nobody brings up Ice League or Francois.

At one point in the conversation my thoughts start to drift back ten years, to Mediterranean summers that seemed so intensely glamorous for a small town girl from Michigan. I thought I had the world in the palm of my hand, after a few rough years of missing out on more auditions than not, of struggling to make ends meet as a waitress and then a bartender.

When a roll of laughter snaps me back to the present, I realize I’m looking at Russ.

He’s staring back, his brow pulled tight.

I flush and give him an apologetic smile before dropping my gaze.

“Has everyone had enough? I’m going to get these salads back in the fridge. They’ll be even better tomorrow for lunch,” Emery says brightly.

“I’ll help.” Harper stands.

“This is what we have rookies for,” Russ says, waving them both back into their seats. “Mason! Zondi!”

The younger players jump to their feet and the whole table laughs.

“Thirty push-ups and then clear the table,” Kieran says dryly.

Russ grins. “I’ll be right back with dessert. Who wants creme brûlée, and who would prefer a coconut panna cotta?”

CHAPTER 12

RUSS

I know Emery is following me inside. I also know I can’t stop her. It’s a miracle she didn’t drag me away before dinner.

“So…” she says as soon as the door closes behind her.

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