Page 88 of Goalie's Obsession

I walk back over, press a soft kiss to her temple, and whisper, “You deserve this. All of it.”

She hums something sleepy in response, already drifting.

I step into the hallway, door clicking softly behind me.

And I carry the image of her peace with me all the way to practice.

Chapter Nineteen

Lucy

Iswipeashimmerygloss across my bottom lip and lean toward the mirror, trying to decide if I look like someone who has their life together—or someone about to fake it in designer heels and a borrowed smile.

Emma’s face stares back at me from the glowing rectangle propped against the hotel lamp, taking up half my phone screen like she’s judging me from the comfort of Chapter & Grind.

“You look like a very glamorous hostage,” she says, sipping from herDon’t Talk to Me Before Espressomug. “Blink twice if Natalie’s forcing you to wear sequins under duress.”

I blink once. Slowly. “It’s voluntary. Ish.”

Emma raises a brow. “Uh-huh.”

I glance down at the green juice sweating on the table beside me and sigh. “Coach Brody’s got Connor on some ridiculous promo circuit today and Natalie’s about to turn our suite into a West Hollywood fashion tornado. So yes, I’m alive—but barely.”

“At least you’re alivewith cheekbones. And trending,” she adds, reaching offscreen and pulling a tablet into view. “Shall we check the headlines of shame?”

“No,” I groan, flopping back on the bed with a dramatic whine. “Please let me enjoy ten uninterrupted minutes of denial.”

“Too late.” She scrolls. “Ah, here it is. ‘Icehawks Goalie and Billionaire Heiress: Hockey’s New Power Couple.’”

I cover my face with a pillow. “Kill me.”

“Sorry. You’re booked for a red carpet tomorrow. Death is not in your schedule.”

A beat of silence passes as I peek up at her through the fringe of my lashes. Her expression softens.

“You doing okay, Luce?”

I don’t answer right away. Just give a small shrug. “Trying to be.”

I sit up a little straighter, fingers curling around the hem of my blouse. “It’s just… everything, you know? Ethan’s still ghosting everyone. My family name is trending for all the wrong reasons again. And Connor…”

I trail off, pressing my lips together as I stare up at the ceiling like all the answers to the world are written up there.

Emma lifts a brow. “Connor what?”

I shake my head, a helpless little laugh escaping.

“He’s actually amazing. Which isterrifying, because I didn’t see any of this coming. I thought I was just going to survive this trip, not—” I wave my hands vaguely. “—fall for the goalie and have the entire internet dissecting my childhood trauma and bank statements.”

Emma tilts her head. “So, just a casual Tuesday then?”

I groan. “I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a hurricane with a sparkly clutch and a can of hairspray.”

She smiles gently. “Yeah, but babe—you’re also doing it in heels.”

I let out a soft laugh, something uncoiling in my chest. That’s why I love her. She knows when to push, and when to justbe.

Emma smiles gently. “You’re doing better than you think.”

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