Page 84 of Matched with Her Athlete Boss

“Okay, Kenzie, you’ll meet your date at the Alvey Ice Rink. There’s a car outside waiting to take you there.” Samantha has already started walking away.

“Where’s Trey?” I ask. I don’t want to see him but I also don’t know what I’d do without him on this date. We’ve been like partners in crime, wingmen to the random and awkward things that have happened on our dates.

And now he knows that I was the awkward girl who liked him all those years ago.

“He’s been assigned to his meeting place already.” Maybe it’s for the best.

I nod, trying to digest this piece of information. I shouldn’t have run away from him last night. But all the insecurities cropped up and I didn’t need the pity or the look of rejection from him eventually. Maybe this will be good.

Kenzie:I know you’re going on a date soon, but can we talk after?

Kenzie:I’m sorry about last night. I’ve worked hard to be someone different than the girl I was all those years ago, but there’s still a piece of me that worries I’ll go right back to that time and mental headspace. Have fun on your date and I hope to see you after.

Taking in a deep breath, I resolve to be open minded on this date. Who knows if Trey won’t fall for the woman he’s with? This date will probably be closer to a match for him.

The car pulls up to the rink and I try to calm down as I search for Dad’s car. It’s not here. He’s usually working the afternoons for sure.

There are only two other cars in the parking lot, which is strange for this time of day. The ice is always packed with different skating activities and local groups.

The door opens and a man waves me out of the vehicle. “We’re filming,” he says through clenched teeth. I nod, trying to compose myself in two seconds before stepping out of the car. This almost feels like aBachelormoment and I should be wearing a formal gown and heels. Instead, I’m in a comfy pair of stretchy jeans and a semi-nice t-shirt.

I see crew member waving for me to walk over to the front door so I start in that direction, trying to avoid the cameras following me everywhere.

Of all the places I thought we’d go for this date, the ice was not even on the radar. My hope lifts that maybe the guy I’m matched with has an interest in skating or hockey. There’s no way I’m giving up all the things I love for a guy, not again.

I’m at the door and I open it, all the emotions crashing down over me. I’ve walked into this place nearly a hundred thousand times and for some reason, this feels different.

I’ve got the first door open and step inside the breezeway. A movement catches my eye. My dad runs over to the door and locks the door behind me.

“What are you doing, Dad?” Where did he park his car?

“I think you need a few private moments for this,” he says with a wink.

Instead of understanding what he’s talking about, I frown. “Please tell me my date is notthatbad to warrant being locked in an ice rink. Are we waiting for a police escort to arrest someone?”

Dad grins and says, “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Behind us, there are cameramen pounding on the door, pointing their cameras through the glass in an attempt to get some footage.

“Dad, I’m supposed to be on a date right now. What are you doing?”

“He’s just doing what he’s told,” a familiar voice says, I turn to look at the silhouette walking toward us from the dark empty rink.

Trey walks out, holding a daisy. My heart beat ticks up as if I’m running a marathon.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?” I ask, shifting to the side as if I’m going to see some model hiding.

“I am,” he says, reaching out his hand. I take the flower and my dad waves us through. He hands Trey the keys and says, “I’ll see you later, you two.”

“What’s going on?” I ask, still dumbfounded that my dad has willingly handed over his keyring to Trey when I get stern lectures and badgering if I ask to borrow them.

Trey’s grin makes me think that this is all a big joke and I push past him. “Okay, where are the extra cameras?”

He flips on a light and I can see little twinkle lights set up around the lobby and all around the rink. Twinkle lights have always been my favorite thing, the first thing I think of when it’s almost Christmas time. There’s a little bit of magic in those lights and I’m still trying to put together what’s going on.

“Are you on a date withme?” I ask, my words barely above a whisper. I just don’t want him to contradict them.

Trey nods, looking as happy as he’s ever looked. “Yes, Mackenzie Sullivan, I’m on a date with you.”

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