Page 62 of Lucky Shot
“The hockey rink?” I ask as his truck comes to a stop in the parking lot.
Disappointment must be splashed across my face because his mouth pulls up on one side. “Come on, Red. I promise it isn’t what you think.”
What I think is he’s going to make me work on a perfectly good Sunday afternoon. Which honestly, I should. The notesfrom Molly on my first chapter were encouraging but I also got the feeling she was being very cautious not to scare me off with any tough changes right out of the gate.
“I didn’t bring my laptop.”
“You won’t need it.” He opens his door and hops out. There’s a pep in his step that I haven’t noticed before. He’s excited and that makes me all the more curious. He comes around the front of the truck to my side as I’m getting out.
“You’re surprisingly less grumpy-looking.”
“Am I?” His lips pull wider.
My stomach flutters.
“You’re kind of freaking me out.” I take two steps to each of his long strides. My heart pumps fast with anticipation, and I find myself admiring his profile.
Grumpy Nick is hot, but this happy, excited version is downright irresistible.
We step into the rink and the cool air blasts me immediately. My pink summer dress with sneakers was a cute idea when I thought we were going anywhere else.
My feet move in the usual path, down to the ice, but Nick touches my elbow and tips his head to the left. “This way.”
I don’t ask the millions of questions that pop into my head as he leads me down a dark hallway. Dim lighting casts an eerie glow and our footsteps echo around us.
He finally stops a few paces from a doorway. I lean forward to see inside, but he crowds me.
“What are we doing?” I ask, feeling my heartbeat pick up speed in my chest.
The door behind him opens, and a man in a T-shirt and gray slacks steps out, then stops when he sees us.
Slowly his mouth curves into a smile. “Galaxy. What are you doing here?”
“Hey, Ron.” Nick opens his stance. The two men shake hands. “We’re going out on the ice for a bit.”
Ron’s eyes twinkle with a friendly playfulness. “Missing it, huh? Season will be here soon.”
“Not soon enough.” Nick reciprocates the smile.
“Well, if you need anything, holler. I’m working in the equipment closet. Gotta make room for the new gear.”
“Thanks,” Nick says. “We could use an extra pair of skates.”
“Sure. I’ve got a bunch of your extras I can sharpen up.”
“Not for me.” Nick shakes his head.
And then both men are looking at me.
Wait, what? Cue the record scratch. Everything finally locks into place and…no. No freaking way.
My eyes widen. “Nuh-uh.”
I back away, waving my hands in front of me. My shoulder blades collide into the wall when I run out of room to flee.
“I’ll set out some options,” Ron says.
Nick tips his head to him. “Thanks.”
