Page 31 of Pucking Your Best Friend

“Oh, yeah.” Her ears turned bright pink. He could see that even from ten feet away. “Well…actually, I slept in it a few nights.”

His mouth went dry and he dropped his suitcase.

“Here’s the thing,” she continued quickly. “The loft is huge and makes a lot of strange noises at night. And a few days ago, I heard a loud cracking and I was a little scared. I thought that maybe someone was breaking in. I tried to lock my bedroom door but I couldn’t find a key. Your room has a key, so…”

Stunned, he looked at her. “You’re not afraid in your own apartment, where a bird with a twig could probably pick the lock, but in my place you are? With a concierge downstairs and cameras all over the outside hallway?”

Her eyes widened. “There are cameras in the hallway?”

“Of course! These lofts go for two million dollars, Maddie! Most people living here have had stalkers at some point.”

“Which is exactly why I was afraid of someone breaking in. There’s nothing to steal from my place. But in here…” She waved her hand back and forth above her head. “I was just afraid to ask you because you might have said no.” She grimaced again.

Shit, yeah, he would have said no! If he was uncomfortable seeing Maddie standingnextto his bed…

“Oh, I meant to change the sheets.” She jumped up and hurried toward him.

“No, it’s okay,” he replied quickly, blocking her way. He didn’t want to see Maddie crawling around his mattress. “I’ll do it.”

She gave him a wry look. “I don’t want to offend you, Matt, but do you knowhow?”

He narrowed his eyes and peered down at her. “I had a life before I was a rich hockey star. I had to change my sheets! There were five of us. We all helped.”

“Yes, but since then you’ve taken a few pucks to the head,” she said skeptically, but the corners of her mouth twitched traitorously. God, she was making fun of him.

“You know what, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to be a Match Me! client tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s hitting below the belt,” she said, shaking her head. “But it’s good to know you’re not serious.” She grinned up at him and squeezed his hand. “And, speaking of tomorrow, you have to show up at the office at ten, okay? I know you have a game tonight and you’ll be exhausted, but be on time.”

He sighed. “Sure.”

She wrung her hands uncertainly. “Set three alarms.”

“Maddie.”

“What? You’re a lazy late riser!”

“Excuse me, I work hard!”

“I know, but not in the mornings. That’s why I told Lucy she’d better pick you up.”

He snorted loudly. “Great. Tomorrow is looking better and better.”

She patted his bicep apologetically and he instinctively took a step back, where she couldn’t touch him again. Had she been touching him all the time before or was it just now that he had noticed?

“I’ll be on time,” he promised, turning his back to her and lifting his pillow to pull the sheets off.

They smelled like lemons.Maddiesmelled like lemons. He had never noticed that before.

“I know, giving interviews and having your picture taken aren’t your favorite things,” she called after him. “But I promise you, it won’t be uncomfortable for you at all!”

Maddie had lied. Just the excited look on Lucy’s face when she picked him up pained him. Ever since her sister had told her about themarketing opportunity, Lucy had been in a good mood. Fans always responded well to personal posts about players, so she would post numerous live videos on social media to help Maddie. Matt was happy it would reach a wider audience for Match Me! but not the bullshit he would have to take from the other players if word got out that he wassearching for his one true love. So, when they parked at the Santa Monica Pier the next morning and made their way to Match Me!, where various reporters would be waiting, he was not in the best mood.

Lucy didn’t seem to notice or she skillfully ignored it. “Leslie was so excited about the whole thing, she even suggested following you on one of your dates!” she announced cheerfully as they strolled along the promenade.

Leslie was the Hawks’ big marketing boss, who everyone just called “The Dragon” because she was known for breathing fire when one of the players caused a scandal. “Over my dead body,” Matt said dryly.

Lucy grinned. “I didn’t think you would take it well. But, if you change your mind…”

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