Page 67 of Goalie Interference

The Aces had a game that night. I didn’t dress for it, watching from the team box. Another win, which was good. I just wished I was part of it.

The next night, as I took Beast down for his last outing before bedtime, I saw Sophie heading toward the carriage house. My heart leapt in my chest, but she was probably just coming to get something from her workshop.

I waited, in case, letting Beast sniff any bush that caught his interest. We were hidden in the shadow of a tree when she got close enough for me to see her by the exterior lights of the coach house. My eyes were pinned to her face. She turned to the apartment stairs and jumped when Beast growled at the intrusion of another human.

She whooshed out a breath. “I’m sorry. I should have called. Is it too late? You’re going to bed, aren’t you?”

“It’s not too late.” Even if she only wanted to talk, I was willing. “Want to come up?”

She followed me up the stairs, Beast grumbling, but once we were inside he headed for his bed and ignored us.

“Anything to drink?” I’d gotten some wine, just in case.

She leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Sure. Whatever you have.”

I pulled the wine out of the fridge and opened a drawer to find the corkscrew. “Problems with Otts?”

Sophie shook her head. “No. Cash arrived today.”

My missing landlord. “He’s a problem?”

She sighed, taking the glass of wine I passed her. “He didn’t come alone.”

“He has a girlfriend?” Or had he brought friends?

“He always has girlfriends. And this one is a little territorial.”

Did she mean— Had she come here because she didn’t feel welcome at the big house? “But it’s your home too.”

“That’s only part of it. She doesn’t like to share his attention.”

“She sounds like a bitch.”

Sophie took a long swallow. “But a very beautiful one.”

I had a strong urge to go to the big house on her behalf. “What’s wrong with your brother?”

She tilted her head. “Wrong with him?”

“Does he not notice when his ‘girlfriends’ act like bitches to you, or does he not care?”

“I hope he doesn’t notice.” Her voice was small.

If I saw my landlord, I was going to have words with him. “You’re welcome here anytime you need an escape.”

A smile. “Thank you. I was hoping…” Her cheeks flushed, and suddenly I didn’t hate this new girlfriend as much.

I set down my glass and took the two steps necessary to stand beside her. “I was hoping too, but no pressure. I can sleep on the couch.”

She swallowed the last of the wine in her glass and set it down. She inched forward, so that our bodies were separated by a hair’s breadth. “That’s not whatIwas hoping.”

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “Seems like we’re about to find out how Beast behaves when someone sleeps over.” Just then a yowl came from the door. Sophie bit her lip. I dropped my forehead against hers. “The cat won’t stop, will she?”

“Probably not.”

“Guess she doesn’t like the girlfriend either.”

I released Sophie so I could open the door. Goober stalked in. Beast sat up, but Goober hopped on the counter and turned her back to us all.

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