Page 75 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

I giggle at the absurdity of that. Nora Mackenzie’s world is her children.

“I’m not kidding. The two of you get each other in a way she and I don’t. I don’t know if we’re too similar or too different or a bit of both, but it can be difficult. I always wanted her attention, and as her daughter, I felt it was my right. But she was focused on you a lot and I was jealous. Knowing what we know now, and with whatever smidgeon of wisdom adulthood has given me, I’m grateful she was there for you. But sometimes I wanted it to be me and her, and it wasn’t, because you were included.” Tears slide down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Miranda.”

I pat her hand gently. “Sophie, I understand. We were children and, of course, you wanted your mother’s attention and to be separate from your brothers. I’m sorry I intruded. Things should have been different for both of us.”

“I hate calling her your mother. I’m calling her Doreen from now on.” She gives a watery laugh and uses the napkin Stella gave her with the cocoa to wipe her nose. “Doreen recognized how I felt and used that to drive a wedge between me and you. Between me and my family too. I can see now how she manipulated me. How she used that damn tea.”

“It’s scary.” When I think about how easily Doreen could have poisoned me or drugged me with something stronger, my skin crawls. As crazy as it is, I’m grateful she showed some restraint in her machinations.

Now I’m reaching for my napkin to wipe my eyes.

Stella checks in on us to see if we need anything. “I’ll get you tissues.” I guess our faces tell the tale.

“Oh, Sophie. I’m sorry too.” I pull her into a hug and squeeze her tight. It’s weird to be the one initiating hugs but it’s something I’m trying to do more of as part of my healing. “We were both victims. Can we put this behind us and start again? I love you and you’ve been like the sister I’ve always wanted. I don’t want what happened to come between us.”

Stella returns with the tissues, and we thank her. After we both take a moment to wipe our faces—Sophie declares she’s grateful for waterproof mascara—and declare each other beautiful, we each grab a cookie and settle in our seats.

“I want to move forward in our friendship and be close again. I would love to have you as a sister.” Sophie gives a slight grin. “Or a sister-in-law.”

I blink rapidly to keep the tears from falling and wrecking what I cleaned up. I would love to be her sister-in-law. To be Declan’s wife. But with everything that has happened and has come to light, I don’t know if he still feels the same way about me.

Maybe she can read the emotions flitting across my face because Sophie leans toward me, an earnest expression on her face.

“Declan loves you. He wasn’t under any spells or the influence of potions or anything. His heart has always been true, and it’s always been yours. He’s going to give you space because you asked him to. The next move is yours. If you want him, you have to tell him. But please, be sure. It would be kinder to break his heart now than to lead him on and break it later.”

The last thing I would ever want to do is break Declan’s heart. It’s precious and I want it for myself. Letting go of Sophie’s hand, I pick up my mug of not very hot cocoa and take a sip. With the time we had spent talking, the whipped cream had mostly dissolved, and the cocoa had cooled to a comfortable drinking temperature. Sophie grabs her mug, holds it toward me and we clink them in a toast.

“To moving forward.” Sophie says.

“To moving forward,” I echo.

We spend the rest of the flight to Florida gossiping and giggling. Maybe, just maybe, another little piece of my heart has been restored.

* * *

Even though it’s January, the Florida temperatures are balmy compared to what we left behind in New Jersey. For the first time in weeks, I’m cold the second I go outdoors. Buses meet our plane to take everyone to the hotel the team has booked. Turns out it’s a Clardmore Hotel.

“Did you know about this?” I ask Sophie.

She shakes her head and looks at me like I’m ridiculous. “No, I have nothing to do with the hotels and I’m not consulted on Devil Birds travel plans.” With a grin, she adds, “At least we know the beds will be comfy.”

“True. And you can probably get me a free dessert or something at dinner.”

Sophie giggles. “Way to dream big, Miranda. I don’t know if Declan’s going to be able to afford you.”

“Who’s saying I won’t be keeping him in the style he’s accustomed to? I have a trust from my grandmother that will help make my future more comfortable.”

Trevor takes the seat across the aisle from us. “You’ve already started spending your trust fund. And it will take some work before you’re comfortable.” He winks.

“What are you doing?” Sophie asks.

“I can’t say anything yet because nothing is definite. As soon as I can discuss it, you will be one of the first to know. I promise.”

The buses arrive at the hotel, and Daphne and I oversee assigning rooms like we do on team road trips. Other teams are staying at the same hotel, and they are in clusters in the lobby doing the same ritual. Each team in the league was able to send three players—two forwards and one defenseman—selected by a combination of fan vote and coach choice. Two goalies were chosen from each of the three conferences. The Devil Birds were able to have four players this way. Plus, Liam was named the head coach for the Atlantic conference. That’s why I’m here, to be his assistant for everything with the game.

The atmosphere at the hotel and in the arena is incredible. There are meet-and-greets with the players where fans get to have items signed and their pictures taken. The different teams have parties for their fans and there are fun skill challenges for the players.

We are about to take our seats to watch the competitions when Trevor skates up to the bench and signals to Sophie. She goes over and he uses his stick to drop a couple of shirts into her waiting hands. He says something to her, causing her to nod and return to her seat.

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