Page 39 of In My Hockey Era
Lucy buries her face in her hands, laughing, while I seriously consider throwing something at my best friend’s head.
This wasnothow I pictured our night going.But as I glance at Lucy, cheeks flushed and eyes bright, I can’t bring myself to regret a damn thing.
14
THE ONE WHERE I DEFINITELY DIDN’T STAY THE NIGHT
Lucy
Igaze down at my toes, watching as the nail tech paints a fresh coat of purple onto them.Next to me, Mia blows on her nails like she’s trying to speed up the drying process, even though I’m pretty sure that does nothing.
“So,” she drawls, eyes locked onto me like a hawk.“When were you planning on telling me you spent the night at Bennett Wilder’s apartment?”
Heat explodes across my face, and I choke on absolutely nothing.“I did not spend the night.”
My brain has catalogued that entire night like six times all the way through—how perfect it was.We walked Max together, which was nice…then I met Chase Freaking Remington—and shared a glass of wine, he opened up about his sister, and our kiss.
The perfect kiss.
Mia arches a brow.“You’re sure?Because my sources say otherwise.”
I gape at her.“What sources?”
She grins.“You, when you walked in here five minutes ago, all flustered and weird.And also, you’ve been smiling to yourself like a total lunatic this entire time.”
I groan, slouching back in my chair.“It’s not—ugh.It’s nothing.We walked Max.Then went to his place.Sat on the couch.We talked.Drank a glass of wine.And he kissed me.”
Mia gasps, clutching her chest like I just told her I won the lottery.“Oh okay, you’re blushing.You’resoblushing.”
I touch my cheek, feel it heating.“It’s not a big deal.”Which is obviously a total lie, but I can’t let Mia, or really even myself know how fast I’m falling—embarrassingly fast, to be honest.
She leans forward, her eyes practically sparkling.“Are you kidding me?It’s ahugedeal.You kissed Bennett freaking Wilder!On his stupidly expensive couch!After a date where he took care of you like a perfect golden retriever of a man.”
I peek at her between my fingers.“It’s casual.”
She snorts.“Sure, sure.And I’m a humble, quiet woman who minds her own business.”
I drop my hand with a sigh.“Look, I don’t know what this is yet.We’re just—talking.”
Mia grins, fully enjoying this.“Uh-huh.And how much talking are we doing?”
I chew my lip.“…Some texting.”
Mia narrows her eyes.
“Okay, alotof texting.”
She beams.“That’s what I thought.Youlikehim.”
I sink lower in my chair, but there’s no point in denying it.Not when my brain has been looping back to him all day.His voice, his laugh, the way he looked at me before he kissed me like he had all the time in the world.
I sigh, defeated.“Maybe.”
Mia waggles her brows.“Iknewit.”
I used to check the Stampede’s schedule to know when to catch the games—now I check their schedule to know when the guy I’m seeing will be out of town.It’s a bit surreal.This week his schedule is particularly nutty.Montreal, Nashville, and Houston.I wonder if I’ll see him at all.
15
