Page 36 of SlapShot Sweetheart

“What face?”

“You are making a weird face.”

“You’re certain it sounded like that?”

“Well, yes.”

“And this was the ‘friend’ that I’m pretty sure we both know, but we’re obviously not exchanging names for a reason?” Madeline remarked, still giving her a strange look as Aimee’s face heated up with embarrassment, and she quickly looked away.

“Forget it. It was stupid anyhow and I’m sure I heard whoever it was wrong. Can I just get my éclair and get out of here? I’ve got somewhere to be – anywhere but here right now.”

“Was it Theo?”

“You know what – I don’t need the sugar or the calories,” Aimee blurted out, tossing her hands up in the air. “This was a mistake. I’m not here. We aren’t talking. Buh-bye…” and as she turned away to practically run from the bakery, she heard Madeline’s voice.

“Mon âme sœurmeans ‘my soulmate’ in French. It’s a term of endearment.”

Those words hung in the air as Aimee slowly turned around to look at the other woman’s smiling face. Her mouth dropped open in shock, confusion, and wonder… before closing and frowning.

“You’re sure?”

And Madeline nodded.

“It can’t be… can it?”

“Theo can be very sweet – if he chooses to be. Why are you still frowning?”

“Who drives the orange SUV that says ‘STICKS’ on the license plate?”

“Giroux, I think. It might be Thierry, but I’m not one hundred percent sure.”

“But it’s someone on the team.”

“Yes.”

“Interesting,” Aimee said quietly, feeling more and more alarmed as she put all the pieces together in her mind. The poems, the song, the flowers, the kittens… of course, Theo had help – from his friends.

“You don’t look happy.”

“I’ve got to get something handled.”

“Should I warn someone?” Madeline chuckled nervously, causing Aimee to look back at her in surprise. Of course, they were all close. Madeline could probably call or text her brother, blabbing the entire conversation and the whole team would know she was there asking about Theo. “I guess you are going to the game to see Theo now. I think it’s so sweet that you two are falling for each other and…”

“Do you see my face?” Aimee replied in disbelief. “Does this look like a person who is simply thrilled? Do you see birds and little puffy hearts floating around my head?”

Madeline blinked at her, obviously stunned.

“Theo lied to me…twice. I guess you need to do what you feel is right – and I suppose I will be doing the same.”

“Aimee? Aimee, wait!”

A moment later, Aimee was out the door, leaving the panicked woman frantically calling someone in the background. Her mind was racing as she juggled all the little nuances over the last few weeks, putting it all together – but what she couldn’t figure out was…why.

Why would Theo lie to her – and could she trust anything he said ever again?

CHAPTER 11

THEO

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