Page 140 of Behind the Net

In one hand, she holds a drink, but the other is at her side, her pointer finger rubbing the pad of her thumb in quick circles. Her nervous tell.

She likes him. Excitement flutters in my stomach. Hazelneverlikes guys, preferring to use them and cast them aside.

Rory’s eyes are soft as he watches her. His expression is a lot like how Jamie looks at me.

“You look beautiful,” Rory says to her in front of everyone, and there isn’t a lick of teasing in his tone.

She blinks, taken aback by this side of him. “Thanks.” She’s flushing and can barely meet his gaze, and I hide my smile by turning to look at Jamie.

He shoots me a quick wink. He sees it, too.

The emcee asks guests to take their seats, and dinner begins. Over at Table 16, there’s an empty seat. Zach hasn’t arrived.

My hands twist in my lap. Maybe he bailed.

There are speeches, a presentation about the charity’s work this year, and a video of players and other celebrities at the local children’s hospital. At one point, Jamie appears on screen, sitting on a tiny chair, letting a little girl put a tiara on him, and it’s so freaking cute that my heart hurts.

His hand comes to my lap as we listen to the last of the speeches, and he gives me that quiet, private smile.

My heart flutters, and I know I have to tell him how I feel. Soon. When the time is right.

When the speeches are over, the real party starts. Music plays, and drinks flow. I eat all the desserts Jamie keeps bringing me, and Hayden makes me and Hazel laugh so hard we can’t breathe. Zach’s seat at his table remains empty, and I relax more. I glance over at Jamie, and he’s talking with Coach Ward, who looks too handsome in his tux to ever have been a hockey player. Jamie’s at ease, surrounded by all these guys who clearly admire him, and I feel a rush of gratitude that he has them.

I finish the last of my champagne and catch Jamie’s eye, motioning to him that I’m going to use the ladies’ room. When I step out of the washroom moments later, Jamie’s leaning on a nearby table, waiting patiently.

“You didn’t have to accompany me,” I tell him.

He shrugs. “You were looking a little wobbly there, songbird.”

I giggle. “I’m not drunk. I’m just feeling a little silly tonight.” Zach didn’t show, and I feel like a weight has lifted. My head buzzes pleasantly, but I’m not drunk.

“You can be both. I don’t care.” He reaches up and brushes my hair off my shoulder. Amusement glitters in his eyes. “I’ll hold your hair back while you barf.”

My chest shakes with laughter. I love this silly side of him. “I’m not going to barf.” I loop my hand around his arm, feeling floaty and happy. Zach didn’t show up, and this gala has been so fun. I feel beautiful and special.

Just outside the doors leading into the ballroom, someone steps in our path, and my pulse flatlines. In an instant, the floaty, happy feelings evaporate, leaving me hollow.

Zach.

I can’t breathe. Beside me, Jamie stiffens.

“Pippa,” Zach says. His eyes move over me in wonder, like he sees me in a new light.

The new Pippa. Instead of sneakers and jeans, I’m wearing an expensive dress, with my hair in glamorous waves, with a professional hockey player hovering over me. Zach looks at me like my value has gone up.

Anger flickers in my stomach, because none of this matters. The dress doesn’t matter, the hair and makeup don’t matter. It doesn’t even matter that Jamie’s a professional athlete, because he’s so much more than that.

I’mso much more than all of this. Jamie cared about me long before tonight. I remember the way he looked at me after I played that song for him in his living room in the middle of the night. That’s what matters to Jamie. The real stuff. Not all of this artifice.

“Can I talk to you?” Zach spares Jamie a glance, lip curling. “Alone?”

“No,” Jamie and I say in unison.

My hand slips into his, and he gives me a reassuring squeeze. I give him one right back.

“Okay.” Irritation flashes across Zach’s face, and the familiarity of it makes me feel sick.

In my head, I scramble for the calm, cool game plan I laid out hours ago.Ignore Zach. He doesn’t matter. Don’t make a scene.

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