Page 38 of In My Hockey Era
I blink.“I’m sorry, did you say moths?Like the flying insect?”
“Yes, moths.”She shudders like just saying the word grosses her out.“They’re unpredictable.And dusty.And they fling themselves at you with no regard for personal space.”
I stare at her, waiting for her to crack a smile, but she’s dead serious.This girl is a walking conundrum.She can handle emergency medical situations without blinking, but moths?The butterfly’s ugly cousin?Absolutely not.
Hilarious.
“One time,” she continues, “I was on a call—calm as can be, treating a guy with a head wound—and then this massive moth came out of nowhere and dive-bombed me.I screamed.Fully lost my composure.My partner hasn’t let me live it down since.”
I let out a low laugh, shaking my head.“Quinn, you literally deal with blood and broken bones for a living.But a tiny, winged creature sends you into a panic?”
She crosses her arms.“They’re not tiny when they’re coming straight at your face.”
I’m still grinning, trying to hold back another laugh.“Alright, good to know.If we ever run into a terrifying moth, I’ll be the one to handle it.”
She narrows her eyes at me.“You better not use this against me.”
I press a hand to my chest, feigning innocence.“I would never.”
She doesn’t look convinced.Probably because I’m already thinking about all the ways I absolutely will.
“Your partner is that guy you brought to the hockey game, right?”
She nods.“And before you do that whole jealous thing again, you should know I have zero interest in him.”
Am I that transparent?
“Good to know,” I say.
Lucy takes another sip of her wine, and she tilts her head, studying me, like she’s thinking of something to ask me.I like this game—this back and forth—the getting to know you.The quiet build up.Just sitting here with her feels like foreplay.I’m low key amped up and we’ve done nothing more than tease each other.Then, softer, she asks, “You have sisters, right?”
“Two.”I drag a hand through my hair.“The oldest, Natalie, is going through a divorce right now.Married her high school boyfriend, thought it’d be forever… turns out, not so much.”I huff out a breath, staring at the city lights out the window.“I hate that I can’t be there for her more.I try, but between the season and travel, I just… I don’t know.I wish I could do more.”
Lucy watches me quietly, then nudges my knee with hers.“I’m sure she knows you’re there for her, even if you can’t physically be there all the time.Just having someone in your corner matters.”
I glance at her, a slow smile tugging at my lips.“Yeah?”
She nods.“Yeah.”
For a second, we just sit there, the space between us smaller than before.Her knee still rests against mine, her fingers lightly curled around the stem of her glass.Something softens in her expression.Her gaze flicks to my mouth, and that’s all the confirmation I need.
I lean in first, but she meets me halfway.The kiss starts slow, lingering, like we’ve both been waiting for it longer than we realized.Her lips are soft, warm, and when I deepen it just slightly, she doesn’t pull away—she presses closer.
I’m in trouble.
Big, big trouble.
What started off slow—a hesitant brush of lips, a question hanging between us, builds.My tongue moves against hers and she presses closer, fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt.My hand slides to her waist, gripping tight like I need to ground myself.She tastes like wine, and she makes a soft sound against my mouth that damn near ruins me.
And then—
“Sorry, forgot my phone,” Chase’s voice calls out, footsteps heading toward the kitchen.
Lucy jerks back, eyes wide.I let out a slow, murderous exhale.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I mutter.
Chase appears in the doorway, takes one look at us, and smirks.“Don’t stop on my account.”
