Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“I already know which one is the winner before I’ve even tasted them,” I declare. “But I’m not telling you until we’ve tried them all.”
Connor shifts sideways, one arm draped over the back of his chair.
I like this version of him, and I want more of it.
“Which one would you like to try first?”
I shake my head. “That’s too easy. You pick the first one, and we taste it at the same time.”
He digs into one that looks like chocolate, so I do the same. We pop the bites at the same time. It’s smooth and creamy, but also fudgy and rich with notes of salt and caramel.
“Thoughts?” Connor asks.
“Delicious.”
“Agreed.”
We set our spoons in the glass and move to the next one.
It’s yellow with purple ribbons through it. The tart flavor bursts on my tongue. “Lavender lemon?”
“Hemi would love this, wouldn’t she?” Connor goes back for a second spoon. “Dallas always brings her lavender lattes.”
“He does. They’re her favorite. And peach anything.”
He moves to the pink scoop of gelato between us. Instead of bringing his spoon to his own lips, he lifts it to mine. I open for him, and the sweet-tart taste of strawberry, threaded through with vanilla, melts over my tongue, sharp and creamy and luscious. My eyes fall closed, and I hum contentedly.
“This one’s my favorite,” Connor murmurs.
My eyes pop open to find him staring intently at me.
I swallow the bite. “You haven’t even tried it.”
He sets the spoon down and brushes his thumb along my bottom lip. “I don’t need to.” He licks the pad, eyes darkening. “You already told me it’s your favorite.”
“What about your favorite?”
“I already have it.”
CHAPTER 16
CONNOR
We’re running drills today as preseason shifts into full swing. Romero and I flank Madden as Ryker prepares for the shot on net. His confidence is growing steadily.
Stiles skates behind the net, Bright moving into position close to me. Madden passes to Stiles, but I’m ready when he tries to pass to Bright. I steal the puck, tap it to Romero, and he shoots it down the ice.
“Nice pass, Grace.” I expect a barb to follow, but Madden takes off after the puck, Stiles and Bright on his heels.
Palaniappa is at the other end of the rink, defending McEwan, the new backup goalie. I watch the easy way Stiles, Madden, and Bright play together. They’re cohesive, moving like extensions of each other.
“Man, those three are something, aren’t they?” There’s awe and envy in Romero’s tone as Madden easily slides the puck past McEwan.
“They’ve had a lot of years on the ice together,” I remind him.
“And they spend a lot of time together off the ice, too,” Ryker adds.
I feel more like part of this team lately. I expected it to be the opposite this season with my engagement to Mildred, but instead of hating me for it, Madden’s been accepting. They all have, actually. Not for me, I’m sure, but for Mildred. Regardless, it’s been good for preseason.
After practice, where Ryker only let one goal in, we hit the locker room, shower, and change back into street clothes.
“Dred seems good. She told me about the venue walk-through. Said the food was fantastic.”
I look up, surprised to find Flip making conversation with me.
Bright, Stiles, and Palaniappa glance our way, apparently just as surprised as me.
“She tell you about the steak tartare?” I ask.
“Oh yeah.” He laughs. “Dred and texture are a real thing.”
“I witnessed that firsthand. It wasn’t her favorite, but she refused to waste it.” She would have lost her mind if she knew what it would have cost per person.
“That’s my fault.” He grins, his smile fond. “I hope she didn’t suffer too much on my behalf.”
A spike of unfamiliar jealousy shoots heat down my spine. He’s important to Mildred, and she’s important to him in a way I’ve never experienced with anyone other than Meems.
“Dessert made up for it.”
“She said as much. If you want to make her smile, just bring her something with strawberries in it.”
“Yeah. I’ve noticed.” Her little moan, the way her eyes fluttered closed… I want more of that.
“Good.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sure you have all the wedding stuff covered, but, uh, if you’re still looking for someone to make the cake, Rix has a lot of friends who do that kind of thing, and she’d love to help.”
“Okay. Yeah.” I’m sure my mother has some kind of plan, but her wishes aren’t mine, and anything I can do to make Mildred feel included in this process and not steamrolled by my controlling parents is a win for me.
“I’ll shoot you her number.”
“Yeah, absolutely. That would be great. Thanks, man.”
“Anything for Dred.”
I expected more animosity from Flip, but maybe we’re on the same page with this. He’s willing to let the past stay where it is for the sake of his best friend. Or maybe he’s being nice because he doesn’t want Mildred to feel responsible if we have a shit season on account of the dissension between us. His motives seem more selfless than mine, regardless.