Page 89 of Goalie Interference

She swallowed. “Thanks. Maybe it’s just when you’re married that you think with your head, not your emotions.”

Maybe. But not every married couple was like that. “So what’s this place like?”

“Asian. I thought something different would be nice.”

There was a parking garage not far from the restaurant, so we left the truck there and went on foot the last block. We walked side by side, together but not touching. I wanted to reach out and hold her hand but…gambling with my hockey career wasn’t smart. That would prove to people that we were more than friends.

Sophie had made a reservation but there was no line, not tonight. The hostess grabbed menus and led us toward a table atthe back. Partway there, Sophie abruptly halted. I put my hands on her waist so that I didn’t unbalance her as I made a late stop of my own. I followed her gaze to a table and saw Otts. With Maria.

His jaw dropped as he stared at the two of us. “Sophie?”

She was tense beneath my hands. I dropped them quickly. Had he seen?

“Hi, Ollie,” she responded.

Oh shit.Maria’s eyes were wide as she stared between Otts and Sophie. Then Otts looked past her to me and his lips tightened.Fuck.He must have seen.

I nodded. “Coach. Maria.”

“What are you…”

I took a step back. The anger on Otts face made it all too clear that he was pissed. And he was my coach. A couple of words from him and I could be traded. And at my age? Other teams wouldn’t be interested in signing me. I might have fucked up my whole hockey future.

What future?said a voice in my head.

Sophie stepped away from me, her chin up. “I’m showing Remy some of the restaurants I enjoy. We’re neighbors, and he doesn’t know the city.”

She was covering for me. She understood that hockey was my top priority. Just like performing was for her family. And Otts’s reputation was for him. Which made me another asshole using her. And for once, I made a decision that wasn’t for hockey. I reached out for her hand and pulled her close. “We’re here to eat. Less crowded than last night, right? Next year I’ll have to book in advance.”

I nudged Sophie forward and she blinked before following the curious hostess to the table they’d set aside for us.

Once we were seated with our menus, I leaned forward. “Are you okay? We could leave, or just have a drink and then leave.”As far as my issues with Otts were concerned, it was too late to change anything. But if Sophie was uncomfortable, I’d happily go.

“Why did you say that to Ollie? I was giving you an out.”

I set my menu down. “That wouldn’t be fair to you.”

A furrow creased her brow as she studied me. “But Ollie was pissed. And I don’t think it was just at me. Aren’t you worried about what he might do?”

“Yeah. A bit.”A lot.“But if you’re willing to be with me, if I get the privilege of your time and attention, then you get respect. And pretending we didn’t come here on a date is not respectful. Or honest.”

The corners of her mouth tilted up. “Really?”

I nodded.

“No one has ever…” she started.

“That’s on them, not you.” The decision felt right, down to my bones. I refused to be another person who didn’t value Sophie.

“Okay, let’s stay and enjoy our meal. Want to know what’s good?”

There was still some tension, so I checked. “You sure you want to stay while Otts is here?”

She sighed. “Sorry. I’m kind of…irritated. Because he has Maria here, and this was a place we came together. And the day after Valentine’s was our thing. But then, I’m here with you, so why should I care?”

That was the question, wasn’t it. “Feelings aren’t always cut and dried.”

She met my gaze. “I’m not in love with Ollie. We’ll probably always have a connection of some kind, thanks to our families, but I don’t want to be with him. Not now. We were never meant to be more than friends. And the way he’s behaving makes me wonder if I really knew him at all.”

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