Page 83 of The Flirty Forward

We both settle in my car. “Does Aiden like these kinds of events? I wouldn’t think he does because he doesn’t really like people,” I say as we get going.

“Oh, he hates days like today. But that’s why I’m going—so I can cheer the grump up and try to make him pleasant enough to be around for the day.”

“Well, if anybody could do it, it’s you. Should we stop for coffee?”

“Like that question even needs an answer.”

Chapter 32

Sebastian

I skate around the rink, being careful not to mow any little kids over. I smile at a little girl, who I think is my coach’s granddaughter. I love this day every year; it’s fun hanging out with my teammates’ families. I glance around for at least the hundredth time.

“She’s not here,” a voice says to my left.

“Noted. Thank you, Aiden,” I say dryly.

He has a scowl on his face, but that’s not unusual for him, especially with this many people around. “I hate this event,” he mutters, not surprising me in the least.

“Yeah, but you’ll be better when Bri gets here.”

A smile ghosts his lips at the mention of his girl. It always amazes me how much Bri has tamed the man. Rico skates over to us and stops on a dime. “Your girls aren’t coming?”

I smile at him calling Stephanie my girl. “They are; they’re just not here yet.”

Gunner joins our group next. “Can we leave yet?”

I smile at my grumpy captain. “You’re getting as bad as Aiden was. We need to find you a girl.”

“No, you really don’t,” he responds. He looks around the ice warily. “What do we have to do?”

“Right now, it’s just free skate. We’ll start the game soon, and then lunch. Then pictures, and then I think we’re free to leave at that point,” I tell him. “Chloe said we just have to be here until pictures are done.”

“I don’t know why she always makes us do these days,” Aiden grumbles.

“She’s just doing her job,” Gunner responds, sending him a dark look. His words surprise me, and I glance at him. He’s not looking at me, though. He’s looking across the ice. I turn to see what’s caught his attention. Chloe stands on the ice without skates on, somehow managing to balance while holding a clipboard and talking to coach.

“Why doesn’t she have skates on?” I ask no one in particular.

If possible, Gunner’s scowl deepens. “Good question.” And then he shocks me by skating towards our PR manager.

“Huh,” I mutter.

“Your girls are here,” Rico says.

It takes a minute for his words to register. When they do, I whip my head around grinning. The smile slides from my face as I take her in. Stephanie is beautiful in everything she wears; I love seeing her in her work blouses and pantsuits. But this look? Wearing a Green Thunder sweatshirt, ripped jeans, her hair piled on her head, and ice skates? If I wasn’t already in love, I would have fallen right then and there.

“Better wipe that drool off,” Rico says with a smirk and skates off.

I close my mouth, aware of the fact that I am totally obsessed with this woman. Then my heart nearly leaps out of my chest when she skates towards me. She wobbles for a moment but quickly finds her rhythm. I don’t move from my position, and when she stops in front of me, I stare at her. “You can skate.”

She smiles. “I can skate.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you can skate?”

She shrugs. “I haven’t done it a lot as an adult, but I rollerbladed all the time as a kid and ice-skated from time to time.”

I move closer to her and wrap an arm around her back. “Have I told you that you’re my dream girl?”

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