Page 48 of The Wingman

They’re just for fun, though, and it’s not like I’ll ever show anyone. The last thing I want is Hayden telling me to back off.

We stare at each other for a long moment, and I try not to think about the cuddling. We’ve carefully avoided it or any mention of Valentine’s Day while we texted all week.

I also try not to think about the photo I gave him as a gift, and how, when I glanced in his open bedroom doorway, I didn’t see it displayed. It’s not in the living room, either.

He probably tossed it in a drawer and forgot about it. I don’t know what I expected.

“So, I was thinking—” I start.

“What are you—” he says at the same time.

We both let out light, awkward laughs.

“Sorry.” I gesture at him. “Go ahead.”

He shakes his head. “No. You.”

My stomach flutters. I don’t know why I’m nervous. “I’ve been thinking about Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh, yeah?” There’s a weird tone to his voice, and he’s watching my face closely.

“Yeah.” I frown, wiggling my toes against the floor. “I was really weird about the whole engagement ring thing.”

He shakes his head. “Oh, Darce. Don’t worry about that.”

“But I have been. Imagine if I was on a real date with a real guy. Not that you’re not a real guy.” I make a face. “You know what I mean.”

He makes a noise of acknowledgment, mouth slanted down.

“It would be totally weird.” A sliver of anger cuts through me, because even after my relationship with Kit is over, he’s still coming back to haunt me, and I’m desperate to shake him off. “If you’re free tonight, I’d love to take you on another practice date.” I give him a tentative smile. “I promise I won’t freak out if any engagement rings get put on my plate.”

“Uh.” He makes a hesitant face, and my stomach sinks.

“You can’t,” I say quickly. “You’re busy. Of course you are. That’s fine.”

“No, um. I got invitedto a party.”

“Nice.” I’m nodding. I feel stupid. He’s the hottest guy in the NHL. Of course he got invited to a party. “Awesome.”

“No, Darce.” He laughs lightly. “Sorry, I’m saying this all wrong. I got invited to a cast party forThe Northern Sword. Miller posted a picture of me wearing the t-shirt you got me on the plane, and the production studio saw it.”

“I saw it, too.” Whodidn’tsee that picture? The online book community lost their freaking minds at the idea of Hayden Owens lovingThe Northern Sword.

“Yeah, so,” he blows out a breath, “what do you think?”

“I think you should go.” I force a smile. “I bet there’ll be lots of women there.”

Hitting on him. Laughing at his jokes. Slobbering all over him while I sit on the couch at home and try not to think about it.

He gives me an amused look of disbelief, shaking his head. “Oh my god. Andersen, I’m asking you to go with me.”

I blink at him. “Shut up.”

He grins. “Is that a yes?”

“Really?” My voice goes very, very high.

“Yes,” he laughs. “Who else am I going to go with? Volkov?”

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