Page 43 of SlapShot Sweetheart

“‘Ow about that game-eh?” Theo said loudly, smiling and raising a hand as if to wave, before urging her out the door into the private walkway that crossed over the streets of Dallas. He jogged toward the Jeep, opening the door and hesitated, before moving to his side. “Let’s go -quickly.”

Aimee was in the Jeep and Theo was pulling out just as the photographers were making their way down the ramp toward where the team parked. Most of the other cars were already gone except for one or two. As he pulled out onto the road, he glancedat her before curling his hand with hers, lacing their fingers together.

“Is my ‘ouse okay?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll bring you back.”

She nodded quietly, the words caught in her throat, unwilling to break the fragile spell woven between them. His sweetness and gentleness wrapped around her like a warm blanket, making her hesitate to voice her concerns.Maybe, she mused, the reasons behind his actions didn’t matter as much when your heart was in the midst of falling for someone. Stealing a glance at his profile, she saw the way the afternoon light danced off his features, casting soft shadows that highlighted the determination in his jaw. He sat beside her, eyes fixed on the cars flowing down the road, but his thumb traced gentle patterns across the back of her hand, a tender reminder of the bond they were forging.

“I was scared,” he said in a hushed voice, not turning to meet her gaze, as if the admission itself was a fragile thing that might shatter if exposed to the light. “That’s part of the reason I was late—and why I got creative about trying to reach you. I was so scared that I wouldn’t get a chance to know you.”

“What?” she began, taken aback, her heart racing at the vulnerability in his tone.

“I got to the restaurant that night, and they pointed you out to me, but I had just come from the ‘ospital. I still had blood on my face, so I went to the washroom first to clean up. I got water on my shirt, had to dry it under the fan, and then, I pretended to enter the restaurant. I was shaking so badly, so nervous, seeing this beautiful woman… and then I messed it all up.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Aimee’s voice was soft, a mix of surprise and concern swelling within her.

“Because of my pride,” he admitted, a nervous chuckle escaping him. “French men are very proud, and I don’t like to explain myself.”

“You seem to be doing an excellent job of it now,” she countered, a smile creeping onto her lips despite the heaviness of the moment.

“Because you are the only person that matters to me—and you deserve it.” His eyes finally met hers, an intensity in his gaze that made her heart flutter.

“You should have told me… Well, it honestly didn’t matter because you needed to see a dentist that night anyway,” she muttered, confusion washing over her as they pulled into the private driveway that led to Theo’s home. “I wish you trusted me enough to share what was going on.”

“I do now, which is why I’m telling you everything. I trust how I am feeling and…”

“Theo, you lied to me,” she interrupted softly, searching his eyes. “You can’t just pick and choose how you want things to be between us. Even if we were just friends, friends don’t lie to each other.”

“But they protect each other,” he replied quietly, a hint of hurt in his voice. “You were scared of me, and I could see it in your eyes.”

“Scared? I’m not scared,” she retorted, but the tremor in her voice gave her away.

“At the pet shop, at the bakery, you mean to tell me that you weren’t scared or nervous to be around me?”

“N-No,” she stammered, but the slow smile spreading across his face made her heart sink.

“Who’s lying now? Eh?”

“It’s different,” she insisted, her voice wavering as she met his gaze in the stillness of the driveway.

“Why is it different?” he pressed, a teasing lilt to his voice that made her pulse quicken.

“Because…” she began, her breath hitching in her throat. They sat there, the world outside fading as their connection deepened. “Are we friends?”

“We are more than friends,” he replied, the certainty in his tone sending a thrill through her.

“That is beside the point.”

“That is exactly the point,” he countered, a playful grin lighting up his face. “We are friends, we are more than friends, and I said things to protect your fragile heart, just like you said things to keep me from guessing that you care.”

“I don’t care.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” he tsked, shaking a finger at her and laughing. “No lying.”

“You’re annoying,” she shot back, crossing her arms in mock indignation.

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