Page 116 of The Wingman

I take in the rink and smile at Georgia, who is talking to a group of teenage girls about her job. They’re watching with rapt attention, and even though I can’t hear what Georgia’s saying, I can see how contagious her enthusiasm for her work is.

She insisted on attending the event so she had a place to wear the knee-high white boots she bought on a whim last year, but I think it’s a cover. She loves her job. So does Carmelita, who designs fuel cells for hydrogen vehicles. A lot of the women here light up when talking about work. It’s the whole purpose of events like these with girls in elementary and high school, to show them options and make it possible for them topursue a career path they love. Near the end of the event, Carmelita will hand out the scholarships, which we hope will help someone on a path to doing what they love.

A weird longing feeling sits in my chest. Everyone loves their job but me, it seems.

The Storm still hasn’t signed Luca Walker. I’ve been bugging Hayden for daily updates, but still nothing.

His plane should be arriving around now. Excitement flutters in my stomach, and even though I’m having fun here, I can’t wait to get home and climb my hot, ripped hockey player like a tree.

I mean, notmyhockey player. Just temporarily mine, I guess.

A box arrived yesterday—a mint-green lingerie set, so delicate, soft, and beautifully made.Love, Hayden, the card said, which I propped up on his bedside table and smiled at as I fell asleep.

I’m wearing the lingerie now. I glance at the time again. Hopefully his flight’s on time and I can see him before I fall asleep.

Who am I kidding? I’ll stay up until dawn to see him. That’s how much I miss him.

“Hey,” a familiar deep voice says behind me. “Can I get some help lacing up my skates?”

A series of sparks and pops go off throughout my body, and I wrench around, nearly falling over at the sight of Hayden Owens in a hideous silk floral shirt, bell bottoms, and oversized orange sunglasses. He’s grinning big and holding a pair of rented roller skates. He’s shaved a mustache. It’s not fair how hot he looks, even like this.

“Christ, it’s good to see you,” he murmurs, stepping into my space and leaning his palms on the railing behind me, caging me in. “You look so freaking cute. Good enough to eat.” Hekisses the corner of my mouth, and my pulse stumbles, drunk and disoriented.

“You’re here.” I blink at him in disbelief.

I sink my hands into his hair, and his eyelids fall halfway before I pull his lips to mine. He groans, and I inhale him, kissing him, showing him how much I missed him as he claims my mouth. His arms are around me, and I sink against his broad, solid warmth.

Someone whistles at us, but I don’t care. I just want Hayden.

“We gotta slow down, Darce,” he says against me, smiling. “These pants are already too tight, and there are kids here.”

I huff a laugh and pull back to look at his outfit. “You look like Austin Powers.” If Austin Powers was played by a life-sized Ken doll with perfect teeth.

He winks. “Oh, behave.”

“You’re supposed to be on a plane.” My gaze snags behind him and I burst out laughing. “Is that Rory?”

Rory’s wearing a full Elvis jumpsuit with a black wig and aviators, and he’s taking a photo with a group of teenage girls.

Hayden grins. “Yep.”

The entire team is here, all dressed up to some degree. Even Alexei is wearing big, sparkly sunglasses someone probably forced on him.

I feel like I’m full of hot air, like I could float. “I thought your flight didn’t get in until now?”

“Darcy, you should have seen this guy at the hotel this morning,” Rory says as he passes, jostling Hayden. “He was a drill sergeant, knocking on doors to get people up at the crack of dawn.”

Hayden rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

Rory does a fake cough, smirking at Hayden. “I think heneeds a bit of extra attention tonight. He’s sick.”Lovesick, he mouths.

Hayden shoves him away, then smiles down at me. My face goes hot, but I can’t stop beaming.

“Don’t listen to him,” Hayden murmurs. “He hits his head a lot.”

I laugh, but my attention catches on Alexei, where he’s signing a jersey with Carmelita. Hayden follows my line of sight. “We brought merch for you to auction off.”

“Carmelita?” Rory calls to her, holding up his phone. “Can you send me the link for the donations? I want to post to my social media.”

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