Page 67 of Can't Kiss the Chef

I stop Ivy when we get to the door and grab her hand, “Damn girl, the NHL must be treating Jay well.”

She chuckles as she admires the rock and, I mean,ROCKthat adorns her finger.

“Yeah, he is doing well too. I’m so happy he was able to make the jump from college to the pros so easily.”

Maybe it’s because I’ve never been in love or maybe it’s just common sense, but I don’t think I’d be a good friend if I didn’t ask her, “Are you sure now is the right time with you still in school? We’re just so young.”

“But why wait? I know he is the one, and if I’ve learnt anything, it’s that life is too short not to do what you know is right.”

She’s right. Ivy has seen more tragedy than anyone should in a lifetime, let alone at twenty-two.

“Let’s go see what all that money you raised last year did.”

I’ve been to the shelter a few times already this year, so the revamped space isn’t new to me. I make a point to watch Ivy as she takes in the freshly painted walls and new living area for the dogs. She sniffles, so I wrap her in a hug.

“It’s amazing. I can’t believe that Jalen and I will always be able to say that we helped the place where we met become this.” She spreads her arms over the room in front of us.

“How’s your sister and Jalen’s uncle doing?” I still can’t believe how blended this family has become.

“Ruby is expecting twins this summer.” My jaw drops. I wasn’t expecting that.

I’m so excited for this family. After losing her husband, I know she put everything into raising her two kids, Caleb and Stella. Ivy was so excited when her sister found love again.

“Shut up! I am so excited for you guys.”

“Life can change a lot in a year, speaking of which,” she pauses, making me nervous, “So, how’s that boyfriend of yours? Jalen can’t believe you are dating him.”

“Yeah, I can’t say Byron loved it when he was the friend that I brought to the party at their house. But I try to keep them as far away from each other as possible” I shrug suppressing the urge to tell Ivy I really hate feeling like I am living two separate lives.

“That seems sustainable,” She jokes, before grabbing a box of dog treats. “I am happy you and Byron can be friends.”

Friends, because I almost kiss all my friends.

“Getting paired up on this project together gave us no choice. But I can’t say I’m mad about it. I missed him.”

She doesn’t try to hide her smile. I actually think she is forcing it to be larger just to piss me off.

“Don’t smile like that. I don’t need your gloating.”

“Oh and one more thing, will you be my maid of honor?”

“Of course!” I scream and the dogs in the shelter go crazy, feeding off my energy.

Ivy takes her phone from her back pocket before slyly tucking it back in. “That’s amazing, because Byron just said yes to being Jalen’s best man.”

I should have known this was going to play out. I grab a few treats out of the box and walk to the back of the shelter.

“Of course he did.”

24

Byron

I’m nearly in tears watching my childhood best friend–brother, really–take the ice in an NHL game. The KeyBank Center isn’t Madison Square Garden, but it’s a hostile place to play. The New York State rivalry has the arena on edge.

The friends and family box is just a meeting place for Jalen’s friends at this point. The boys and I are glued to the edge of the box, watching our former captain warm up with players we’ve looked up to since we were kids.

“I hope he gets in a fight today.” Josiah is in awe, taking in his first professional hockey game. He still can’t believe that fighting is an honored tradition of the game.

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