Page 67 of Just Forever

“I… We’ve… Yes?” I say slowly.

Kara’s eyes light up. “Please tell me he’s single.”

No. Married. Committed. In a relationship. Off the market.

“Totally single,” Soren says unhelpfully before I can say anything.

“Sweet.” Kara grabs her purse, fishes out a compact and reapplies her lipstick before she fluffs her hair.

The determination is both impressive and a bit scary.

I sit back down. What’s done is done and what’s said is said, so I guess Ryk will have to handle her. The fact is people will hit on him. It’s nothing new and it’s nothing that hasn’t happenedbefore. They hit on him when I’m not around, and they hit on him when I’m standing next to him.

I’m used to it as much as you can get used to somebody getting all handsy with your husband, but Ryk’s become pretty good at putting some distance between him and whoever is trying to cop a feel.

It would be easier if he wasn’t so damn hot. He’s waiting at the bar right now in all his long-legged, wide-shouldered glory, already drawing looks. He’s dressed in a pair of jeans and a simple white T-shirt, and he’s way too tall and dark-haired and gray-eyed and handsome for his own good.

Some girl has already sidled up to him at the bar, and he laughs at something she says. It’d be more annoying, but it’s just who Ryk is. He’s friendly and nice and good, and I’m well aware that people flirting with him doesn’t mean anything. Still, I look away, because knowing it happens doesn’t mean I want to watch it happen.

Ryk and the guys are back a few minutes later, and by some maneuvering and impressive subtlety, he manages to push Björn and Kian to sit between Kara and Paige while he produces an extra chair he puts down next to me.

I hide my smile behind the rim of my beer glass and feel better.

For a moment, at least, because right after Ryker sits down, Kara leans over me, a flirty smile fixed on her lips, and says, “Congrats on the win. It was a good game.”

“Thank you,” my husband says. He has the uncanny ability to be completely sincere in every situation. No false modesty, but also no cockiness. I’d say it’s a gift, but honestly, that’s just how Ryker is—good to the bone.

“You think you’re going to be able to take Florida on Tuesday?” Kara quirks her brow.

Ryk takes a slow, measured sip of his beer, a small smile on his face. “Think we won’t be able to?”

“You struggled with them last season, and this time their roster is even more stacked. Their offensive line is a coach’s wet dream.” She starts ticking off names on her fingers. “Cermak, Sokolov, Fitzpatrick.”

“They’re all excellent players,” Ryk says, still smiling at her.

Kara grins, too, and I’m suddenly realizing how very pretty she is with her long, dark eyelashes and that strawberry blond hair she keeps flipping over her shoulder.

“You don’t seem worried,” she says.

“I’m not supposed to worry. I’m supposed to help my team win.”

Kara sidles closer, but since there’s me between her and Ryk, she ends up leaning over me to get to him.

“A man of confidence,” she says.

Ryk blinks for a moment. I almost snort out a laugh. I’m pretty sure he’s only now clueing in to the fact that Kara is flirting with him. That hunch is confirmed by the quick look in my direction that’s followed by him very subtly moving his chair back an inch and clearing his throat.

“You like hockey?” Ryk asks.

Kara’s smile widens, and she leans closer because while Ryk just realized he’s being flirted with, Kara hasn’t gotten that she’snotbeing flirted with yet.

“Love it. I’ve been a Blades fan for a long time, but I’ve especially enjoyed this season. And half the last one.”

Ryker sends me another look.

This one screams ‘save me.’

I quirk my brow at him.

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