Page 138 of The Wingman

I shake my head, smiling wide and laughing. “Nothing to be sorry about, Luca. You look great.”

“Right?” He bobs his head, making the wig dance. “I’m feeling this hair.”

Hayden tugs me to the bar to get a drink and my gaze catches on the chalkboard with the daily specials. A pink cocktail is drawn with an umbrella and a scribbly something above it.

The Darcy - bright, sweet, bubbly, and surprisingly strong!

My heart squeezes.

“A special drink? For me?” I beam at the sign, then glance at Hayden in surprise. He just grins and winks. “Really?”

“It was Georgia’s idea,” Jordan says with a small smile, filling a cocktail shaker.

My heart warms with affection and I look back up at the sign. “What’s the thing beside the umbrella?”

“A sparkler,” she says with a defensive edge, like it’s not the first time someone has asked. She tucks something on the rim of my glass, clicks a lighter, and pulls her hand back as a sphere of sparks bursts from the drink. My eyes are probably glowing.

“Like it?” Jordan asks with a wry smirk.

I lean back against Hayden, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, as he presses a kiss to my neck. “Love it.”

Later, I sit with Hayden at the bar, watching our friends enjoy the party. Between challenging people to fake sword fights, Rory keeps unbuttoning his shirt lower to make Hazel roll her eyes and laugh. Pippa’s perched on Jamie’s lap in the corner while he murmurs in her ear. Georgia and Alexei stay on opposite sides of the bar.

It’s the best birthday I’ve ever had.

“I feel like I’m made of rainbows,” I tell Hayden.

He shakes with laughter. “I thought you’ve only had two of those drinks.”

“I have. I’m not drunk.” I shrug and give him what’s probably a very goofy smile, memorizing this moment. “I’m just happy. Thank you.” I move closer so our thighs touch, then rest my hand on his.

“What makes you think I had anything to do with this?” He arches a teasing brow, and I roll my eyes, smiling wider.

With his fingers beneath my chin, he tips my mouth up to his and kisses me so soft and sweet my heart dips.

“Happy birthday, Darcy,” he says against my lips.

CHAPTER 65

HAYDEN

The next night,I walk into the quiet bar near the hotel Kit’s staying in, adrenaline already pounding through me. My gaze sweeps over the tables until I spot him.

He looks rough. Dark circles under his eyes and a sunken look to his face. The server drops a beer off and Kit drains half of it.

He isn’t having a good season. His contract with Calgary is ending this year, and more than ever, he needs to keep his stats up, but they’re down. Tonight’s news won’t help, I’m sure, but just remembering Darcy’s devastated expression the night he called, or as she told me what he did on New Year’s, sends a fresh wave of fury and protectiveness through me.

At my arrival, he straightens up. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I slip into the seat across from him, setting my phone on the table. He slides the menu to me and I shake my head. “I’m not staying long.”

He frowns. “Thought we’re getting a drink.”

“Darcy and I are together now.” No point in beating around the bush.

His jaw goes slack and he stares at me for a moment beforehe lets out a sharp laugh. “Sorry, I thought you said you and Darcy are together.”

“That’s what I said. Darcy and I are dating. I’m serious about her.”

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