Page 79 of Puck Me Secretly

“Couldn’t care less.”

“Same.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

We both smiled.

“Excuse me,” Dad’s voice spoke from beside me. “But I think this next dance belongs to me.”

“Absolutely.” Max let go of me and stepped back. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Ashford.”

“Thank you.”

Dad swept me into his arms. We moved across the dance floor in silence.

“Rory, how is your night?”

“It’s good.”

“Where did Calder disappear to?”

“Not sure.”

His eyes were on my face. “Be careful.”

“Dad, I’m not actually dating Calder. You do know that Mom set us up tonight?”

“I’m not talking about Calder.”

“Who are you talking about?”

He raised his eyebrows at me.

“Max?” I sputtered. “That’s ridiculous. He’s a hockey player.”

“Yes, and you’d be wise to remember that.”

I felt my heart sink at his warning while working to cover up my feelings. “I think he felt bad for me that Calder took off.”

“Even if Max wasn’t part of our team, I wouldn’t approve of him.”

“Why don’t you like him? He’s an incredible hockey player.”

“He reminds me of someone.”

Oh, this old story again. I refrained from rolling my eyes. “Who?”

“It’s in the past.”

He piqued my interest. “Was he a hockey player?”

“Come on,” he led me off the dance floor. “Your mom is waiting for me.”

I wanted to tell Dad he wasn’t giving Max a fair chance, but this was not the time nor the place for that conversation.

“I’m going to the powder room.”

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