Page 20 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

Aubrey takes her hand, and they step away from me. “Have you come up with any more ideas of how you could get the shop out of the red?” Aubrey asks Anabelle.

“I have my loan payment coming up next week, and I’m not sure I can cover it this month,” Anabelle admits.

They do realize I can hear them, right?

I remember how packed her shop looked earlier. Cozy, sure, but it felt like a dozen businesses stuffed into one room.

Not that I care. Just . . . objectively, that can’t be good for sales.

“Girl, this is getting real,” Aubrey says. “If you don’t make that payment, you could destroy your credit.”

Anabelle wrinkles her brow, and I have the sudden desire to run my thumb across her forehead and smooth it out. “I know. This is why I don’t sleep at night.”

Why am I picturing her wrapped up in her blankets, tossing and turning? Not something I should be thinking about. But for some inexplicable reason, I can’t stand the thought of this woman struggling. Or Nolan not being provided for. I barely know her. I shouldn’t care this much.

But I do.

“Why don’t you run a weekend sale?” I blurt, loud enough for them to hear.

They both turn to look at me, surprise etched on their faces, like I’m the last person they expect to give advice about a little boutique.

“Run a buy one, get one half-off sale on slow sellers,” I advise.

“That’s . . . actually really smart,” Anabelle says.

“It’s all a matter of marketing.”

I rub the back of my neck, wishing I hadn’t said anything. Too late now.

“How do you know all this?” she asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

“I just do.” I smile at her.

“Right,” she says, turning to Aubrey. “He has nothing to hide.”

“I don’t know why I opened my mouth,” I mutter. “Note to self: never be helpful again.”

Nolan crashes into us like a human cannonball, and I gladly turn to him. He’s way less intense than these two.

“Great game, Nolan.” I tell him. “You had some really strong blocks. Next time we get together, we’re going to work on your form. I have some tricks I want to teach you.”

“Thanks, Lucas.” He turns to his mom. “Can we get ice cream now?”

“Sure,” Anabelle says.

Aubrey chirps, “Why don’t we all go? Lucas, you coming?”

“No, I’d . . .”

Nolan gives me this hopeful look with those big eyes of his.

Sigh. “I mean, sure.”

Anabelle needs to wipe that amused look off her face or so help me . . .

Aubrey puts her arms around Anabelle and me. “Well, isn’t this just cozy?”

“Oh, yeah. Just cozy,” I say sarcastically.

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