Page 128 of Coach's Temptation

Priorities.

The restaurant feels like something out of a dream. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over white tablecloths, and the wine... God, the wine…

The whole team is here, basking in the verge-of-history energy. Connor is animated, retelling a play-by-play of last night’s game. Logan is leaning back in his chair, his usual gruff self, but even he can’t fully hide his excitement.

And then there’s Hunter.

His hand is on my knee beneath the table, his thumb lazily stroking circles over my skin. His focus? Not on hockey.

On me.

"Should I be worried you're setting the bar too high?" I take another sip of the ridiculously expensive Bordeaux red. "This is all..."

"Sweetheart, I haven't even started yet."

Before I can press him on cocky grin that seems to hold a secret, he casually lifts a fork with a tiny bite of chocolate soufflé and holds it out to me.

His grin deepens. “Try it.”

I narrow my eyes. “This is a trick, isn’t it?”

I take the bite and,wow.It’s obnoxiously good.

And just as I’m settling into the warmth of it all—the wine, the candlelight, the ridiculous, all-consuming love I feel for this man—he presses a kiss to my temple and stands.

"I need to take care of something." Hunter stands suddenly, straightening his jacket. "In the meantime, don't let Connor order another bottle while I'm gone."

"No promises, Coach!" Connor calls out as Hunter disappears toward the front of the restaurant.

I watch him go, noting how suspiciously formal he seems tonight. But before I can dwell on it, Lucy scoots in closer, practically vibrating.

“So, Natalie…” She sips her drink, way too casual. “Totally unrelated question… do you like grand romantic gestures or are you more of a do it in private sort of gal?”

“OH LUCE, LOOK AT THAT MENU. THEY HAVE A WAGYU BEEF OPTION.”

Connor claps his hands together and grabs Lucy by the shoulders, twisting her around in her seat and giving her a hard look.

"Ow! What is wrong with you?" Lucy tries to twist free, but Connor's grip tightens.

His eyes are wide, almost panicked, like that time he let in three goals in the first period against Chicago.

Sophia suddenly finds the way her engagement ring sparkles against her freshly manicured fingernails fascinating, and Blake's eyebrows have climbed so high they're practically in his hairline.

Something's definitely up.

Hunter's been weird all evening - checking his phone, fidgeting with his tie, barely touching his food. And now the whole team's acting like they're hiding something?

Has Hunter accepted the job? Is this all part of buttering me up like I thought he was when he revealed my newly renovated apartment?

I reach for my wine glass, then pause. The room's already spinning a little, and Hunter might have a point about cuttingmyself off. Last thing I need is to start interrogating everyone about their suspicious behavior. Though the way Connor keeps redirecting Lucy's attention every time she opens her mouth is pretty damn obvious.

"The wagyu does look amazing," I say, deciding to throw Connor a lifeline. His shoulders relax slightly. "Though I think you're going to break Lucy's collarbone if you don't ease up there, Walsh."

"Right! Sorry!" He releases her so fast she nearly falls off her chair. "Just... really excited about beef."

The lights in the theater dim, and a hush falls over the crowd as the opening music swells.

Cirque du Soleil performers emerge, twisting, spinning, defying gravity in ways that don’t seem remotely human.

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