Page 47 of Power Play Pursuit

“Hold your horses, I’m here,” she says, stepping into the room. When I turn to see her, she takes my breath away. She’s wearing a pair of jeans with a women’s version of my jersey.

With a smile, she gives me a little twirl, and I get shivers when I see my name spelled on her back. “I think red and black is definitely more my color,” she teases.

I blow out a breath. “One hundred percent. I’ve been wanting to see you wear my jersey since the first time I laid eyes on you.”

Her arms fall to her sides as she gives me a scolding look. “James, we said no flirting.”

“What do you expect?” I say, taking a step back. “You’ve got my jersey on. I get a free pass.”

She blushes, looking down at her shirt, then back at me. “Wait, what about you? Why areyounot wearing your jersey—or any Raptors merch for that matter?”

I look down at my black T-shirt and jeans. “I’ll wear the cap. But I don’t need the Raptors gear. I am one.” I wink.

Rolling her eyes, she turns around. “Come on, let’s go, Raptor.”

I try to make the velociraptor sound they play at the games when we score, but I don’t think it lands, because I don’t get so much as a giggle. Much less a laugh.

I’m grabbing my keys from the entrancebowl when she turns around to look at me. “Wait, was that supposed to be the Raptors sound?”

I wince. “Gotta work on that, huh?”

She giggles, opening the door. “Yeah, a little bit.”

As we drive to the rendezvous point where we’re meeting her parents, my excitement grows by the minute. Most guys would be nervous about meeting the in-laws—well, you know what I mean—but not me. Sure, the fact that they’re not technically my in-laws—yet—probably helps. But I’m also just eager to meet them and see who raised this amazing human being named Elizabeth Bowen. I’m also kind of excited for some hockey time, even if I won’t be on the ice. Sharing my passion with like-minded people, especially as a surprise, is going to be a treat.

When I park near the restaurant, I recognize them instantly. Sure, they’re the only two people standing on the sidewalk seemingly waiting for someone, but I also see the resemblance. Elizabeth has the same face shape and hair color as her mom, and those icy gray eyes obviously come from her dad.

He wrinkles his forehead as we’re approaching, and I detect the exact moment he recognizes me, because he does a double take, and his eyes widen like two pucks. “Holy—what?”

“Happy birthday, Dad,” Elizabeth gushes, chuckling as she takes him into her arms for a hug.

“Hi, Mom,” she says, hugging her next. Both women are wearing the same elated expression as they look at her dad. “Dad, Mom, meet James Adler.”

He just shakes his head in disbelief. “Nice to meet you, James. I can’t believe this.”

We shake hands, and his grip is firm but not intimidating. I immediately like him.

“Likewise, sir. Happy birthday.”

“Please,” he says, waving a hand. “Call me Richard.”

“And I’m Pam,” Elizabeth’s mom says, taking a step toward me.

“So nice to meet you,” I say, flashing my best smile as I shake her hand.

“Well—whoa,” Richard breathes out, still gaping at me in disbelief. “I knew my daughter had some kind of connection with the Raptors, but not the eating-out-together kind.” He blows out a laugh. “How are you doing, by the way? That was a nasty hit you took.”

“I’m on the mend, sir. Thanks for asking.”

“And you’re wrong, Dad,” Elizabeth says, wincing. There she goes again. Miss meany girl. Although, this time, it’s actually really funny. “We’re not going out to dinner together.”

Richard frowns, glancing betweenus. “We’re not?”

I look at Elizabeth, then nod. “We thought you’d like to go to a hockey game instead,” I say, placing my hands in my pockets. “But it’s your call.”

He bellows a loud laugh, and I can’t help but smile. “You two! And you,” he says with an accusatory look at his wife, who’s all smiles.

I arch an eyebrow. “Is that a yes on the hockey?”

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