Page 4 of Puck and Prejudice

“Not when you have that daydreamy look on your face”—I sit up in bed—“and look like you took a ride to O-town.”

“Izzie!” she shout-whispers.

“Am I wrong?” I quirk a brow.

Jane bites her lower lip, trying to hide a grin. “No. Oh, he’s just so amazing, Izzie! He’s the one.”

“Really? How can you know after only one night?”

She drops her gaze to her lap. “Well… we’ve been seeing each other for a few months.”

“What? And you didn’t tell me?” I don’t attempt to hide my disappointment. Jane and I are tight. We tell each other everything—or used to.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to, but… well, I was afraid of your reaction.”

My stomach dips. “Why? Oh, Jane… he isn’t married, is he?”

She winces. “God no. He’s… younger than me.”

I narrow my eyes. “How much younger?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Phew. I thought you were going to say he was eighteen. Three years difference isn’t a big gap.” I study her. “His age isn’t the only reason you didn’t tell me. There’s more.”

“You don’t miss a thing, do you?”

“Nope. Nancy Drew has nothing on me.”

Jane chuckles. “She doesn’t.”

“Well… are you going to tell me why you waited so long to spill the beans?”

She takes a deep breath. “My mystery man is the starter goalie for the Lions.”

Oh shit.“He’s a hockey player?” My voice rises in pitch.

“Shhh… and yes.”

“What’s his name?” I ask, fearing she’s going to say Jackson Darcy.

“Chad Bingley.”

I let out a sigh of relief. Thank God he’s not the guy who received the beer shower. It’d suck if Jane’s secret boyfriend was that rude asshole. “Where in the world did you meet him?”

“His niece is in one of my beginner classes. He came to watch her dance one day, and we talked for a bit. Then we exchanged numbers. We texted for several weeks before he finally asked me out.”

“Wow, that takes taking-it-slow to a whole new level.”

Jane shrugs. “He’s super shy, which is what attracted me to him the most. The majority of guys who approach me have a domineering alpha vibe, which I don’t like.”

“You always preferred the quiet ones.”

“Yes. Chad is so sweet and dreamy. God, I love him so much. I never thought I’d feel this way about someone so fast.”

I smile. If anyone deserves to find her dream guy, it’s Jane.

“Where did you go on your first date?”

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