Page 42 of SlapShot Sweetheart

“You know it, but only if you wear that new black sweater. I’m thinking I need a Ben-Solo-fantasy-night with my favorite fella…” The couple practically giggled at each other softly, sharing an intimate look that made Aimee stare in disbelief as Theo put his finger in his mouth, gagging.

“What the heck was that?” she whispered.

“Nightmare fuel,” he retorted and then paused. “Unless you are into that? I’ll buy a black sweater and a red lightsaber if you want…”

“No, no,” she stopped him quickly, holding up a hand. “I thought I was a sick puppy having fantasies, but I do believe Becca takes the cake with whatever that was.”

“You have fantasies?”

“None that I’m telling you!” she balked, horrified at the turn that this unexpected conversation had taken. “And we’re supposed to be talking about your lying to me all the time, remember? Or was that a lie, too?”

“I never lied… I might have twisted a bit, but…”

“Oh my gosh, don’t gimme that,” she blurted out once more, slapping her hand on her forehead. “You most certainly did because I flat out asked you about all the little things, and you said ‘No.’ No, means no. There are zero translation errors or alternate meanings.”

“N-O could be K-N-O-W too,” he began under his breath and glanced at her. “I’m kidding and not ‘elping in the slightest, am I?”

“Nope.”

They stood there for a moment, neither speaking before Theo finally began… and held out his hand to her.

“Do you want to come ‘ome with me – or shall I take you ‘ome?”

“Are we planning on talking?”

“Absolument,” he replied softly before hesitating. “Absolutely.”

“I figured that was the translation,” she replied, putting her hand in his and seeing his tender smile.

“See, learning already.”

“I’ll be bilingual before we know it.”

“Aimee, I…” he began as they walked out of the room and started down the hallway, and she stopped him, giving him a firm look.

“Don’t,” she whispered softly. “Home is personal, and the walls have ears. Let’s keep our business to ourselves. I would hate for something to leak out, and I think we gave the sports channels enough with that stunt tonight.”

“Coach was pretty upset at the time, but during an interview, I said ‘e was the best ever and supportive of the families who came to cheer on the team.”

“But I’m not your family.”

“You’re close enough to me,” he whispered, leaning forward to drop a shy kiss on her temple as he met her eyes. “Mon âme sœur…”

“I still know what that means,” she breathed, looking up at him.

“I still mean it,” he replied, touching her cheek and then froze, looking over his shoulder. She heard a noise, causing her to turn, only to see flashes and cameras as the security guards tried to hold back the news crews trying to get an interview. “Let’s go.”

“Don’t you mean, ‘Allons-y’?” she teased breathlessly as he put his arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip in almost a possessive manner. He turned to flash her a knowing smile that quickly faded as the press started calling his name.

“Theo! Who’s your friend?”

“Theo, can we get a picture?”

“Miss – are you and Theo Batiste an item?”

“What’s your name miss?”

“Theo, can you give us the exclusive?”

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