Page 84 of Cross Check Hearts

ME: Even sweeter now. Good night, hummingbird.

Chapter37

Hannah

Ralph stares blankly at me in the mirror from where she’s sitting on the edge of my bed, so I stare right back. “What are you looking at?”

She meows grumpily at me and walks right over all the clothes I’ve laid out, tried on, and discarded. It’s like she’s silently judging me for being so picky about what to wear, and I guess I don’t blame her now that the majority of my closet is strewn across my bed, but this is a big decision.

I reach out to scratch her head, and she instantly starts purring. “I know, it’s so rude of me not to leave a space on the bed for you, but we’re in a crisis right now, girl. Declan’s mom is coming to town, so I can’t wear just anything.”

Ralph meows like she agrees with me, so I pat her head and sink down on the bed next to her. She immediately claims my lap, still purring, and I can’t stop myself from petting her. It’s exactly the kind of comfort I need right now because I’m feeling unreasonably nervous. This charity thing isn’t really that big of a deal for me—I go to these kinds of press events for the Aces with my father all the time—and I shouldn’t be so anxious about meeting Declan’s mom since we aren’t officially an item or anything, but I’m still freaking out a little.

She’s already been here for a couple of days, and I wanted to meet her at the last Aces game, but I was busy with a yoga class and couldn’t go. So tonight will be the first time I’m meeting his mom, and even though we aren’t “official,” I still really want to make a good impression. We only get one shot at a first impression, and just because Declan and I aren’t public or even official, that doesn’t mean it will stay that way.

I end up settling on a simple black dress since I’m not sure what to expect—and because it’s one of the few pieces of dress clothing that isn’t currently coated in Ralph’s fur. She isn’t happy about me leaving, and she protests loudly the entire time I’m putting the rest of my clothes away, but as soon as I give her a little bit of food on my way out the door, she seems to forget that there was ever a problem.

I check my reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time, and nod in satisfaction. I think I look fine, and like I didn’t overdo it, but I just hope I’m not underdressed for this thing. My hands smooth the folds of the dress, and when I’m satisfied, I grab my purse on the way out the door and lock it behind me.

I don’t know why I didn’t think to look up the address ahead of time, but when I pull into the parking lot a few minutes later, I realize that the charity event is being held at a local ice-skating rink. I guess that makes sense for an event featuring hockey players, but for whatever reason, I assumed this was going to be a more formal affair. And a twinge of self-consciousness creeps into the corners of my brain about being overdressed.

Thankfully though, when I climb out of my car, I spot my parents and several of the Aces heading into the building together, so I hurry to catch up with them. My mother sees me coming and waves, but as I get closer to her, the tingle of self-consciousness I was feeling before turns into a knot in my stomach as I realize I’m dressed way nicer than everyone else.

Oops. Shit.

“Hi, sweetheart. You look lovely,” my mother says as she wraps an arm around me. She probably means it, but I still can’t help interpreting it as a jab. “But I think you might freeze in here,” she adds in a whisper.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I tell her with a confident smile when we break apart, although I’m honestly already feeling a little cold—and we haven’t even gone inside yet. But I’ll just have to deal with it, because it’s too late to pick another outfit now.

What I’m wearing doesn’t matter. I’m here for the team. It’s going to be fine.

I repeat that to myself as I follow the group into the building. As we pass through the entrance, my eyes catch on a banner hanging from the rink’s boards that reads “Skate with the Aces,” and I inwardly cringe. It’s not just the team here—it’s families and kids, all decked out in casual clothes perfect for skating.

My gaze drifts across the ice where several families are already gliding around, some with natural grace and others wobbling along. A little girl looks my way curiously before being distracted by something more interesting, and I can’t blame her. I must look like I’m headed to a cocktail party rather than a casual meet-and-greet at an ice rink.

A chill from the ice washes over me, and I rub my bare arms, wishing I’d known to dress more appropriately. My dress might look great, but it’s doing nothing to protect me from the frigid air. One thing is for certain—it’s going to be a long, cold evening.

As I scan the rink again, my eyes land on Declan standing near the ice on the opposite side of the space with a woman I assume is his mom. The moment he spots me, his expression changes—something hungry and intense flashes across his face that makes my pulse quicken. He leans down to say something to the woman beside him before making his way in my direction. He casually greets my father and some of the other Aces as he passes, but his focus stays on me.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Declan asks when he reaches me, his low voice sending a pleasant shiver through me. He gestures to a semi-secluded nook away from the ice rink, and I follow, conscious of putting some distance between us and prying eyes. Once we’re relatively alone, he reaches up and tugs his jersey off with one hand, then holds it out to me.

“Even from across the room, I could tell you were cold,” he says. “Here. This should help.”

My eyes dart from him to where my parents stand and back again, my heart racing. Being alone with him feels risky enough—wearing his jersey would be like announcing to everyone that there’s something between us. But the thought of being wrapped in something of his, something that carries his scent and name, is undeniably tempting.

“Come on, hummingbird,” Declan encourages, ducking his head a little. “You’re shivering. Just put it on. It doesn’t have to mean anything else.”

I bite my lip, torn between wanting to accept his offer and worrying about the consequences. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. There are a lot of people here, and I don’t want to draw attention.”

Declan’s gaze travels slowly down my body and back up, leaving heat in its wake. “They’re already staring at you. And I can’t handle every guy in this place looking at you with that dress clinging to your curves.”

The possessiveness in his voice floods me with warmth that chases away the chill. For a moment, I forget we’re in a crowded arena. All I see is Declan and the intensity in his amber-flecked brown eyes. My fingers itch to reach for the jersey, but caution holds me back. “I don’t know…”

He moves a little closer, his body radiating heat as he narrows the space between us. His breath caresses the bare skin of my shoulders.

“Either you can put it on,” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper, “or I can put it on for you. Don’t think I won’t. Believe me, I’d love to stake my claim on you in front of every person here, especially with the way they’re all looking at you.”

The burning look in his eyes tells me he means every word. My breath catches as I imagine his hands on me, adjusting the jersey over my shoulders in full view of everyone. The thought sends a thrill through me, even though I know it would only invite questions I’m not ready to answer.

---