Page 109 of Banter & Blushes

She groans. “No, I’m avoiding him, to be honest.”

“Why?”

“Because I need more definitive answers to my interview questions than grunts.”

“Oooh, he’s one of those.” I giggle, enjoying her latest rant over the one player who’s driving her batty. Her words. And yeah, I know I kind of poked the bear here, but I do love hearing her complain about Luke Jameson because I suspect he’s becoming more than the bane of her existence, as she calls him.

She lets out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t think he knows how to smile.”

I swing my attention back to the ice just as Luke climbs over the wall, pumping his legs to catch up with the puck flying toward our end. “Is that him?”

“Yeah, number twenty-four.” There’s no missing the way her eyes kind of light up as she watches him.

Luke winds up in a battle for the puck in the corner with two players from the other team, one of whom crosschecks him hard enough to throw his helmet off. The plexiglass rattles when Luke shoves him against the boards. The ref blows the whistle, stopping play, but Luke already dropped his gloves, ready to swing at the opposing player.

“He’s not hard to look at,” I drawl.

“Just wish he wasn’t so grumpy.”

He definitely looks the part right now, scowling at the opposing team member as well as the ref.

I nudge her again. “Does that mean you think he’s cute?”

She blinks her ginormous eyes at me in disbelief. “I’m trying to interview him, not date him. I know better.”

Mocking a gasp, I catch her eye. “What are you saying, Sophie Adams?”

“Nothing. Ethan’s great.”

“You mean, as far as hockey players go.” I dip my chin and look up at her in anticipation of her answer.

Sophie snorts. “As far as men go.”

“Such a cynic.” I laugh.

“I earned it.” She sounds borderline perturbed.

“So, don’t let him stay grumpy around you.”

She side-eyes me. “And how do I do that?”

“Push back. Let him know you won’t put up with it.”

Her chin tugs up as she thinks about it. “That just might work.”

Sophie watches Luke disappear into the penalty box, her brow furrowed. “He’s infuriating.”

I smother a grin. “And kind of hot?”

She scoffs. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’thaveto.”

She shakes her head, but the corner of her mouth twitches. I know that look. It’s the same one I probably wore when Ethan first got under my skin.

I squeeze her hand. “Just don’t let him be a grump around you.”

Sophie leans back in her seat, eyes still on the ice. “He has no idea what he’s in for.”

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