Page 56 of Goalie Interference

“I’m grateful Sophie agreed to be my date,” Remy said. “Feels good to have a beautiful woman on my arm.”

I smiled at him. “When Remy told me about the shelter, I wanted to help out any way I could.” Cotton’s smile was polite but he didn’t know what I was talking about. “It’s so generous of him and Cian O’Murphy to do photos for rescue animals with the lucky winner. I want to make sure everyone knows to bid high!”

He nodded. “Yes, we do appreciate the generosity of our team supporters.”

“We don’t want to monopolize your time. Everything looks lovely and I’m sure this will be a wonderful success.” There were a lot of people wanting to talk to them, and it was best to get in, make your point, and get out.

I turned to go, squeezing Remy’s arm to let him know we were done, and found myself face-to-face with my ex. It made sense that Ollie was here, but he was with a date. I sucked in a quick breath.

“Sophie!” he said, somehow sounding shocked, upset and disappointed.

I wasn’t sure what his problem was—that I was with Remy, or wearing this dress, or here at all at a function where he was required to be? Maybe all of those. I narrowed my eyes. “Ollie. Happy holidays.”

His cheeks flushed. I turned my gaze to the woman standing with him. She was stunning. Long black hair spilling in waves down her back. She had deep brown eyes, a short, straight nose,and full red lips. Her black dress flattered her curves and her makeup was perfect. She looked up at Ollie questioningly.

“Maria, this is Sophie. And Rem— Daniel Rempel, one of my goalies.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said in a soft voice.

I smiled back politely, suddenly sure my red dress was too loud.

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight, Soph.” Ollie’s voice was chastising, as if I’d done something wrong.

“We’re divorced, Ollie. We don’t have to tell each other our plans anymore.”

His face flushed. “Well, of course I need to be here, as a member of the coaching staff.” He looked away, unable to meet my gaze.

“I’m well aware.” I was enjoying having Ollie on the hot spot. “But with my experience at events like this, I’m happy to help Remy do his best to promote the auction item he’s participating in.”

Ollie’s mouth turned down. “I wasn’t aware you two were seeing each other.”

“Why would you be? Another by-product of being divorced. I don’t have to tell you those details, just like you don’t have to tellmeeither.”

Maria’s eyes widened. She looked between the two of us, obviously uncomfortable.

Remy put an arm around my waist and stepped aside. “We should let you greet Mr. Russo and Mr. Cotton.”

Ollie eyed Remy’s arm, but I simply smiled. Maybe I should have told him we were just friends, but it wasn’t any of his business. Maybe he and Maria were just friends too, but…

Russo greeted Ollie and his date. “So nice to see you again, Maria.”

I tensed. This wasn’t a brand-new relationship. He’d brought her to team events before, while never saying a word to me. After the way he’d flipped out when he found out Remy was staying on Cash’s estate? Totally hypocritical. I turned back to Remy

“So how are those boys of yours?” Russo continued, and I gripped Remy’s arm tightly.

Ollie pulled his gaze away from us and put a hand on Maria’s back. “They’re good, thank you. They enjoyed the skating so much.”

The team had a family event at the end of November, players and staff bringing their kids in to skate on the ice with the players and get gifts from Santa. Ollie had brought Maria and her kids. I swallowed with difficulty. We’d been at my dad’s for Thanksgiving just before. We’d talked, Joanna’s friends had flirted with him, and the whole time he’d been seeing Maria. And kept it a secret.

“You have children?” I asked, making sure I understood without jumping to conclusions, the way Ollie had. There was something in my tone though, because Maria looked wary as she nodded.

Russo pasted on a vague smile and moved away.

“How old are they?” They couldn’t be too old, since Maria was still young. Younger than me.

“Three and five.”

I forced a smile. “How nice. Isn’t thatnice, Ollie?”

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