Page 85 of Doc Defence

“It’s fine. I could use the distraction.” Hel smiled weakly and scrubbed at her eyes.

“And Gloria can be very distracting.” Clara threw a mock glare.

Hel let them carry on for a little while, throwing insults and giggling together. She used the time to get her breathing under control, drink more of the delicious wine, and mop at her eyes.

Hel eventually told the two women the full story, their second almost-kiss, the feeling she got when she was around him. Star turning up—Gloria hissed at that point and made a few threats before Hel reassured her Star had been sent on her way—then she detailed their conversation on the drive over.

“You should move to Canada,” Gloria stated firmly. “Follow your heart.”

Clara put her arm around Hel and hugged her. “Gloria, it’s not that easy. Hel needs to work. She looks after her parents. Sorry, Hel. I hope you don’t mind me telling Gloria.”

“No, it’s fine.” Hel shook her head, wishing it could be as easy as Gloria made it sound.

“Oh.” Gloria’s eyebrows drew together. “Would he support your parents?”

Hel shook her head again. “We’re not even dating. That’s not the sort of thing I can ask someone.”

Gloria said, “He’ll have a lot of cash stashed away. Those NHL players are paid very well. And you know, in his last few years of play, he had a lot of endorsement deals.”

Hel and Clara both turned to stare at Gloria. How did she know so much about Frost?

“What?” Gloria asked. “I watch ice hockey.”

“For the sport?” Hel questioned, knowing that was not going to be the answer.

“Of course,” Gloria said sniffily.

“And?” Clara asked.

Gloria huffed, “The handsome men skating at high speed.”

“There it is.” Clara laughed, and Hel even managed a little giggle. Gloria was a hoot.

“Anyway. Frost was a big name in the NHL, one of the best defensemen of the last few years. He had a lot of big brands backing him. He won’t be short of money. He’s even the face, well body, of an underwear brand.” Gloria’s eyebrows waggled.

Hel’s fingers twitched. She wanted to search Google, but at the same time, she knew she shouldn’t.

“Of course you would know that,” Clara sighed.

They went round and round in circles, discussing what Hel should do. But none of them could see any way of making it work.

“Shit.” Clara flopped onto the sofa and dropped her head back, staring at the ceiling.

“Indeed,” Hel agreed, mirroring her pose.

A soft snore rose from Gloria. It was one am, and she had fallen asleep an hour ago.

“There’s no way to make it work?” Clara tried one more time.

“Nope.” Hel sighed.

Clara rolled her head to look at her friend. “If you could have one perfect date with him, would you do it?”

“He asked me to dinner. I said no.” Hel knew it was the right thing to say.

“That’s your head talking. What does your heart say?”

Exhaustion and too much champagne made her more truthful than she would normally be. “It says it wants that date so, so much.” Hel stared at the ceiling, her tired eyes unfocused and drifting shut.

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