Page 104 of Mr. Swoony

If I’m going to see all your moves, I gotta get ready.

You’ve seen my best moves… hang around after the game, Kyleigh will bring you to see me.

Okay… see you in a bit. Good luck!

I pocket my phone and climb out of the car outside the apartment building. I enter the security gate code and jog up the stairs. Kyleigh’s already coming down the stairs decked out in Rowan’s jersey, a pair of jeans, and cute boots.

“Oh, look at you.” I press the code to unlock the door to the condo. “Give me, like, ten.”

“No worries. How was it?” She follows me inside the apartment.

“Great.” I take off my light fall jacket and hang it on the coat hook, toeing out of my shoes. “She’s as wonderful as you said.”

I toss my purse on the breakfast counter and notice a box there with a note on top.

“Oh, and here I thought my brother didn’t have any game. I should’ve expected this.” Kyleigh comes up next to me.

“What is it?”

She shrugs, but I can tell from her smile she knows exactly what’s inside.

I take off the note and read it.

From me to you.

I’d be honored if you wore it.

I place the note facedown next to the box.

“Yeah, I don’t want to know what kinky shit he wrote.” Kyleigh leans her hip on the counter, waiting for me to open the package.

I do, and inside, tucked under some tissue paper, is a Chicago Falcons jersey with the number forty-nine and NILSEN on the back. Kyleigh smiles, watching me hold it up.

“I never thought I’d be a hockey girlfriend.” Back when I went to Henry’s high school games with Jade, I never aspired to date one of the players—in good part because of the shit she dealt with from other girls. Though I ended up having to deal with the same thing at the country club with Tristan. Everyone wanted to marry a Somerset.

“You’ll come to find out that it’s pretty awesome. Now go put on that jersey and let’s go. You want to be there for warm-ups.”

I glance at Kyleigh, and she shakes her head, laughing and shooing me with her hand.

Within fifteen minutes, I’ve refreshed my hair and makeup, changed, and put on Conor’s jersey. Kyleigh calls the Uber, and on our ride, I fill her in on how my meeting went with her client. We’re planning to have one more shopping day before the job is complete. And the best part is that she’s referred two of her friends to me. I’ve done some research on how to make being a personal stylist a successful venture, and the possibilities in front of me are exciting.

“So, you like it?” Kyleigh asks.

“I love it. I cannot thank you enough for thinking of it and suggesting it in the first place. I’m not sure I ever would’ve thought of styling as an option for me.”

“I’m happy for you. It’s great to be your own boss. Let me tell you.” She turns to me and opens her mouth to say something, then turns away.

“What?” My head tilts.

“Have you met my parents yet? Because I’m pretty sure my dad is going to be there tonight.” She cringes.

“Conor messaged me about a half hour ago to let me know.” I laugh.

She shakes her head. “I swear men, but you have nothing to worry about. My dad loves everyone. He’s not going to grill you with questions or anything.”

“I can’t wait to meet him.” And I find that it’s the truth. I want to meet the man who played a role in making Conor the amazing man he is.

We talk about the game and what to expect. She tells me about her parents and their divorce, which I know a little about from Conor.

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