Page 82 of In the Defensive Zone with My Enemy

“Yes, I’ll gladly sit next to you at the wedding. I’ll make sure I have tissues.”

“I’m the maid of honor, so I won’t be sitting with you during the service. But tissues might be handy afterward.”

I lean in, pressing her closer as I tease her lips with mine. “I didn’t know you were in the wedding party.”

“Best friend of the bride. And wait until you see my dress.” She nips at my lip, spiking my pulse into overdrive.

“Can’t wait,” I growl against her mouth.

And then I make sure she knows it.

CHAPTER 25

SOPHIE

Getting Mia’s SOS text wasn’t on my agenda today. But when a friend says they need you to talk them down from a ledge—a metaphorical one in this case, thank goodness—you drop everything and show up for them.

Mia hasn’t stopped pacing since I arrived, and all I know so far is that Ethan’s brother’s company isn’t playing nice. A last-minute project complication kept him from catching his flight.

I reach out and rest my hand on her arm, bringing her to a stop. “The good news is there’s still time. He’d planned to come early so he and his wife could have a vacation too, right?”

She nods, then pulls away, continuing to make a discernible path in the carpet. “It seems…I mean…what if…I can’t help wondering…”

“Mia, just spit it out.”

Eyes wide, she faces me, hands out in front of her. “First, the venue and now this? What if the universe is trying to keep us from making a mistake?”

I was NOT expecting that. Jumping to my feet, I wrap her in a big hug I hope will settle her nerves. “You’re simply experiencing some pre-wedding jitters, that’s all. No wedding goes offwithout some kind of complication. None that I know of, anyway.”

“If you say so.” She sounds more like a four-year-old.

I place my hands on her shoulders and lean back. “You and Ethan are one of the most adorable couples I’ve ever seen. I’ve never once doubted whether you should be together. I’m surprised you didn’t get married sooner, to be honest.”

“Really?” Her expression lifts with hope.

“Yeah…really. Remember how you two connected that day at the arena? Ethan kept skating over to talk to you in between drills. He even got in trouble with the coach.”

She lets out a soft giggle. “He was pretty annoying.”

I snort. “You loved every minute of it.”

“I did. I just didn’t want him to know it.” The almost devious sound in her voice is somewhat shocking and very entertaining.

“You little minx, you.”

She gives me an evil grin. “A girl needs her secrets.”

“If you say so.” I giggle.

“Speaking of which. When are you going to share Luke with the rest of us. You two are dating now, right?”

“It’s all so new. And he’s out of town for a game. But I did invite him as my date to the wedding.”

“Ethan already invited him.”

“I know, but now he’s my plus one too.” I can’t help the smile spreading across my face as I think about him. Our walk around the arena felt like a first date, with lots of kissing. My cheeks blaze when I remember how thoroughly Luke kissed me.

And, unfortunately, Mia notices. Her eyes widen, and she points at me. “You’ve already fallen for him, haven’t you?”

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