Page 112 of Scoring Position

“So we just need to get the Orcas to sign us both.” Ryan bumped their hips together.

“Sign us both for what we’re worth.”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “Sign you for what you’re worth and probably get a buy-one get-one deal on me.” He smiled wickedly at Nico. “Don’t worry, though, I have a backup plan on the money front.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Getting a sugar daddy. This guy I know is about to come into some cash. He’ll probably be buying a house soon. I figure I’ll just move in with him. Save myself from the dreaded Vancouver mortgage. I mean, it’s worked before.”

“And how are you going to convince this guy to let you invade his space?” Nico’s tone was deadpan, a sure sign he was amused.

“I can be very persuasive.”

“Don’t I know it,” Nico agreed. “You can really make the pathetic lost-puppy look work for you. Major sympathy points. No one could leave you on the street.”

Ryan laughed and shoved Nico, then reeled him back in with their clasped hands.

IF RYANhad set out to plan a date that would reassure Nico that he wouldn’t be repeating the mistakes of the past year, he was doing an excellent job.

All of the affection that had been relegated to the privacy of Nico’s house was on full display now, as much as it could tastefully be, anyway. Nico had always suspected Ryan was a romantic. His taste in movies certainly ran that way. But having it confirmed like this—on the terrace of a fine restaurant overlooking one of Europe’s most scenic views, with wine pairings for every course, in a city full of hockey fans and media—did something to release that last knot of doubt between his shoulder blades.

The wine helped too, and the easy way Ryan kept his foot pressed against one of Nico’s under the table.

Given the atmosphere, the location, the prices on the menu, and the quality of the table linens, Nico was pretty sure dinner was delicious. But by the time Ryan paid the check and they walked back out into the cooling Bohemian night, Nico couldn’t have said what he’d eaten.

They fell into step again. Ryan’s hand found Nico’s.

“My parents tried to invite us and your parents to dinner yesterday,” Nico said after a moment of walking in silence.

Ryan made a noise like a stalled garbage truck. “Oh God.” Then he laughed. “Oh God, imagine if Tara called you Captain von Thirst Trap in front of your dad.”

Now Nico was the one making horrible sound effects.

“I feel like maybe they should only meet under carefully controlled circumstances.” Ryan paused. “Like when my sister’s gagged, for example.”

Nico hummed. “Or right after Germany wins the World Cup? Soccer,” he added in an exaggerated North American accent when Ryan gave him a look.

Ryan bumped their shoulders together. “We’ll workshop it. Draw up a set play.”

Smiling at nothing in particular, Nico hummed agreement and continued to lead him through the streets.

They hadn’t solved everything. They still didn’t know where Ryan would be playing next season. They were probably facing down months or even years of playing in different cities, seeing each other for a few hours or a day or two here and there when they were lucky.

But they’d managed to work things out after a devastating argument, while living in different cities and without a foundation to build on. That was a pretty good start.

Now, with a couple of nice glasses of wine in him, bathed in the glow of streetlights and Ryan’s affection and a fairly incredible professional achievement, he wanted more than Ryan’s hand in his and his voice in his ear.

But even though he was eager to take the night somewhere private, he didn’t want to downplay his enjoyment of the evening so far.

As they approached a brightly lit building ahead, Nico saw his chance. “So listen.” He waited until he could feel Ryan’s gaze on his face. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the very romantic seduction you have going on here.”

Ryan cleared his throat, obvious camouflage for a laugh. “Oh?”

“Yes,” Nico said, mock serious. “But I want to be clear about something.” He pulled them to a stop in front of the building’s entrance.

“And what’s that?”

Nico leaned in meaningfully. “Iabsolutelyput out on the first date.”

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