Page 79 of In My Hockey Era
Mia sighs, practically misty-eyed.“Someonepinch me.Because I think my best friend is about to have her Cinderella moment.”
I swallow, suddenly nervous.
Because this feels likemorethan just a gala.More than just a fancy dress and a night out.
This feels like aturning point.
And for the first time, I wonder if I’m actually ready for it.
• • •
Bennett in a tux?
I’m officially insoover my head.
The second I step into the ballroom, every carefully constructed wall I’ve built around this thing—thisnot-a-relationshipwith Bennett—starts to crack.Because I’ve seen him in a suit before, sure.But tonight?
Tonight, Bennett Wilder looksobscene.
The sharp black tux fits him like it was tailor-made forsin, broad shoulders filling out the crisp jacket, the stark white dress shirt is stretched perfectly across his chest.His hair is styled in that effortlessly tousled way that makes him look both devastatingly handsome and just slightlytoococky, like he knows exactly the effect he has on people.
And unfortunately for me?
Iampeople.
I swallow hard, gripping the tiny gold clutch in my hands as he spots me from across the room.Mia dropped me off, assuming that later I’d be going home with Bennett.
His expression shifts instantly—laziness gone, amusement fading.
For the first time, I see something close toshockflicker across his face.
Then, just as quickly, it morphs into something darker.Something that makes my skin heat from across the ballroom.
Hedrinks me in, eyes trailing from my crystal-encrusted heels, up the long line of my gold sequined gown, lingering just a little too long on my legs, my waist, my chest—
Breathe, Lucy.For the love of God, breathe.
The tux should be illegal.The way he’s looking at me?Should befederallyillegal.
And as he starts making his way toward me, slow and deliberate, I hear Mia’s voice in my head from earlier tonight.
“Be open to falling in love.”
I’d scoffed at the idea.Told her she was being dramatic.
But now?
Now, I feel something deep in my chest start tofray.
Because if I let myself believe her—if I let myselfhope—I’m also giving this man the power to break me into a million unfixable pieces.
Bennett stops just in front of me, gaze burning.“Quinn.”
I clear my throat, gripping my clutch a little tighter.“Wilder.”
His lips tug into a smirk, but his eyes don’t match the teasing expression.They’re still locked on me like I’m the only person in this room.
His fingers brush my wrist as he takes my hand—steady, warm, his thumb skimming over my pulse like heknows.
