Page 30 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

No, don’t think about Lilly.

Jesus, I’m a hot mess.

Lilly’s building on West 73rd isn’t far, an old, four-story greystone. I ring her buzzer and she lets me into the building right away. Suddenly I’m smiling as I lift my hand to knock on her apartment door, but it opens before I do. She’s holding Otis, who immediately starts wriggling when he sees me, letting out a few sharp yips.

“Yes, he’s here,” Lilly says, stepping aside so I can enter. She keeps hold of Otis until I shut the door behind me, then bends down to release him. He hurtles at me in his usual excited greeting and I crouch, rubbing him and trying to settle him down. Now I’m grinning, and the irritation that was buzzing under my skin dissipates.

“Hey, little dude, how are you?”

We spend a minute full of whines and barks, rubs and licks. I glance up at Lilly, standing with her arms folded, one hip cocked, and the sweetest smile on her face. Something inside my chest goes soft.

“He missed you,” she says. “His stuff is all packed.”

“I guess I missed him too,” I grudgingly admit. “A little.”

She chuckles. “Uh-huh.”

I stand, picking up Otis. I give a quick scan of the apartment. It’s cute, with shiny hardwood floors, pale walls, and dark woodwork. The living room is long and narrow, with two windows overlooking the street, one long wall of exposed brick holding a fireplace. “How did things go? Did he behave?” I sound like a dad at daycare.

“Weeelll…he was pretty good. He did steal some popcorn last night while we were watching the game, which probably isn’t good for him, but he seems okay.”

“You watched the game?” That’s the first thing I get from that.

“Yeah. All three of us.”

“Three.” I blink.

“Yeah, my roommate, Carlin, and me and Otis.”

“Carlin.”

Lilly jerks her head toward a closed door. “She’s still sleeping.”

“Ah.” She already told me she’s not dating so I don’t know why I was afraid she had a guy here.

“Congratulations on the win. And the winning goal!”

“Thanks.” I shove a hand through my hair, pushing it off my forehead.

A crease forms between her eyebrows. “You don’t seem very happy about it.”

“I’m happy. It’s great.” Even I know I don’t sound happy. I sigh. “It’s complicated.”

She pushes out her bottom lip and nods thoughtfully. “Oh.” She blinks. “I guess I don’t know much about professional sports. A win seems like a good thing.”

“It is. It should be. Our coach is…demanding.”

She tilts her head. “Oh. Yeah. You know, I said to Carlin last night he looks mean.”

I choke out a laugh. “Mean. Well. You know, you’re…ah hell, I shouldn’t talk about it.”

“What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.”

I laugh again, relaxing. “Yeah. That’s it.”

Our eyes meet and heat slides up from my chest into my face. The tug of attraction is really hard to resist. “Here’s your pay.” I hand her the envelope I folded up and shoved into my pocket. “Cash.”

“Thanks.” She takes it and unfolds it. I watch her slender fingers move on the paper. Her nails are not short, but not long, no polish on them.

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