Page 5 of Much Ado About Hockey

“We’re about to make history. What’s your name?” he whispered, giving her a confident half smile as he curled his lip in the most annoying way, almost like he was about to celebrate some victory before the battle had already engaged.

“I’m sorry… what?” she chuckled, shaking her head as she looked at the gorgeous guy once more and hesitated. He was not her type. This man screamed ‘jock’ in so many, many ways. He was athletically built and tanned, and his hair was clean cut to the extreme – in fact, on one side of his head, he had lines shaved into his hair and a part shaved in one eyebrow. His ear was pierced as well as one eyebrow, and he wore a chain around his neck. The man wore more jewelry than her, and it strangely suited him. “How are we about to make history? Is that a pickup line?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled easily and winked at her. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” she closed her book, fully fascinated at this strange conversation unfolding around her because this had to be a prank, a ruse, a dare… and she wanted to know who on earthshe needed to file a restraining order or press charges against for harassment.

“The courthouse,” he smiled widely, looking distinctly pleased with himself.

“And why, pray tell, are we going to the courthouse?”

“To make history, babe. We’re getting married.”

Karen felt something bubble inside of her as she stared at the beautiful man in disbelief, fighting back a laugh as she grinned almost as hard as him.

“We’re getting married?” she repeated quietly.

“Yup.”

“To make history?”

“You know it. Fastest marriage on record, and then we’re off.”

“To where?”

“We’re moving.”

“Oh really? And where are we moving to?”

“Quebec for my new job.”

“As a psychiatric inmate?” she goaded just to see how he’d react – and to her surprise, he smiled. The man brushed off her words like it was nothing.

“Naw, babe – I play hockey. I’m not an inmate.”

“I’m not your ‘babe’.”

“That’s because you haven’t told me your name.”

“That’s because you haven’t been serious about this conversation yet – and I didn’t catch your name either,” Karen replied smoothly, lifting an eyebrow towards him almost in a dare. “So you are getting one chance to start over, bowl me over with your charming ways, and have a real conversation before I decide to call Beatrice over because you are harassing one of her favorite patrons.”

He paused, his eyes searching hers, as his smile faded slightly.

“You’re really freakin’ smart – aren’t you?”

“I am,” Karen smiled and moved slightly, adjusting her seating as she continued to hold his gaze. “So gimme everything you’ve got and make it good. This is your chance to win me over as a friend before I start yelling ‘stranger-danger’ and get you tossed out of here, so let’s hear what you have to say,” she encouraged almost arrogantly knowing she held all the cards in this moment as she saw the flicker of unease in his eyes.

“Um…” he began and cleared his throat, looking at her once more.

“Go on,” she chuckled. “Unless you’ve got a case of cold feet after thatwondrousproposal that would sweep any girl off their feet, friend.”

His face paled slightly as he swallowed and then cleared his throat, all while holding her aggressive gaze and a part of her respected him immensely for not giving up or leaving at that moment.

“My name is Jett Acton, and I’m the man who’s going to marry you, making every dream you could ever wish for come true for a few months…” he paused and hesitated as Karen pounced.

“Why months?”

“If you don’t want to stay married to me, then I would let you go – but in the meantime, I would give this marriage my everything and put you on a pedestal.”

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