Page 49 of Uniquely in Love

Owen winked as he opened the first box. “Maybe.” Itwas an all meat pizza—that had always been Owen’s favorite. He grabbed plates, pulling out a slice for him before opening the other box for me. He put two pieces on a plate before sliding over the box of garlic twists and a cup of marinara sauce.

“You remembered.”

“Of course I did.” Owen’s cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink. Cute. He was a massive six foot three specimen of hockey player, with muscles everywhere that definitely didn’t exist when we were in high school, and yet he still blushed over stuff like this. This was the boy I’d loved.

Though he definitely wasn’t a boy anymore. No, he was all man. Six foot three, muscled to perfection,man.

We both grew quiet as we ate, devouring our pizza. I hadn’t eaten since lunch, and my meager meal barely even counted as that. I had been trying to save money wherever I could. Meanwhile, my entire apartment could have fit into Owen’s living room. It was not lost on me.

“You’re still going to come to the home opener, right?” Owen said a few minutes later, polishing off another slice of pizza.

I nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

He grinned, and it filled me up with so much warmth seeing that look on his face again. “Good. I’m glad. I’ll have a parking pass for you and the ticket, so you should be all set.”

“Please tell me you didn’t buy me another rink-side seat. I promise I don’t need that.”

Owen winced. “Not quite. I thought maybe you’d want to hang out with some of the players’ wives and girlfriends? Some guys got together to rent a box.”

My eyes widened. “Abox?You want me to sit in the box with theWAGs?” I wasn’t his wife or girlfriend, and being with all of them felt intimidating.

“I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. They’re really sweet.” He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Iknow you just moved here, and I didn’t want you to feel alone.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t argue with that. Because it was sweet. And Ididdesperately want friends that weren’t fourth graders or co-workers. “Okay.” I folded my hands over the counter as I pushed my plate back, done eating. “That sounds really nice, then. Thank you for thinking of me.”

He nodded. “Then it’s settled.”

“Well… What do they think we are? I mean, if they’re all wives or girlfriends, are they going to think we’re dating?” I didn’t want them to think I was just another girl fawning over Owen for his stardom or trying to get into his pants. Even though I had, in fact, gotten into his pants. They didn’t need to know that.

“Does it matter what they think?” He cocked his head to the side, in a move that reminded me so much of a dog.

“It does to me.” I didn’t want to lie if anyone asked me if we’d dated.

He sighed. “I told the guys that we grew up together and you’re my friend.” That was true, even if it stung that he didn’t want people to know about our history. But maybe I’d just hurt him that much.

“Speaking of women,” I said, bringing up a subject that made me uncomfortable, but I had to say it. This was his space. I was the one intruding. I fidgeted with the hem of my t-shirt instead of looking at him. “If you want to… uh… have women over, just let me know, and I can make myself scarce.”

When I finally looked up, Owen raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

I shrugged. “You’re a man. You have needs. I know you’re a famous NHL player and you probably have tons of girls throwing themselves at you, but?—”

He scowled. “I’m not having any fucking women over, Ellie baby. Not while you’re living with me. Okay?”

“Okay,” I whispered.

There was that peskyEllie babyagain,making my stomach erupt into butterflies. I liked it way too much. More than I should. And it was becoming a problem.

Especially when he was my ex-boyfriend-turned-one-night-stand-turned-roommate.

I couldn’t mess this up. Not again.

Cousins Coffee Club

TEXTS

Ellie

So, I might have had a little mishap today.

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