Page 50 of Third Time's the Charm

“That’s because I am. How was your game?”

“We won.”

“And then you scrambled home?” The song ended so I stopped dancing.

He shrugged. “I spent last year alone. Decided I’d rather spend it with my mother than with Riley at some bar in Miami.”

He really was a quieter Jack. “I’m sure Riley is insulted.”

“Not really. He had a date and I would have been the third wheel. Where’s Ryker?” His gaze moved past me, scanning the crowd.

Why did the band decide to take a break now? The lack of music left me with very little options to escape. “We, uh, we...broke up.” I stared at my feet before looking up into Jack’s completely stunned eyes. “What?”

“I’m surprised,” he said quickly.

“Why? You were right. I couldn’t see it, but when I looked, you, and Paris, and London, and Conchita, and the frozen iguanas were all right. Okay?” The iguanas were all fine, by the way. They warmed back up and got back to sunning themselves.

“I’m sorry. I genuinely just want you to be happy, Berlin.”

Then why couldn’t he do that when we were married? “I am happy.” In every other aspect of my life, I was thrilled. I had good friends, an amazing family, and a career I loved. I had a very good life.

“Do you remember our second first kiss?” Jack shoved his hands in his pockets.

What on earth? “I don’t think that’s a thing, Jack.”

“No it is. Our first kiss was the first week of college. But our second first kiss was in the library.”

“You mean after our month-long breakup? That kiss?” That kiss washot.I was so mad at him, and thenbam!He was there in the stacks, groveling and miserable and hetookthat kiss like a man possessed. I remember wanting to have him right there against the shelves.

“Yeah. That kiss. It was better than our first, first kiss because we knew each other better. But even then...we were so young, Berlin.”

Wasn’t that the truth. “I found an old picture of us today and had the same thought.”

He stared at his feet, gnawing on his lower lip. “I know you don’t want to hear anymore from me, but we were really young, and we were bound to make mistakes. I’m sorry mine were too big.”

This conversation was way too heavy for New Year’s Eve. “I need some water.”

“I could use a beer.”

We walked together to the closest drink stand. Jack insisted on paying for my water and I let him. I also let him wander the crowd with me for some reason. Strangely, I seemed to enjoy his company again.

“Stavver’s turned into a real leader. I think he’ll be captain next year.”

I hadn’t followed hockey since we broke up, but I still knew most of the team. “I always liked him. That’s good to hear.”

“You know something I miss? Family dinner. They’re not the same without the Berlin touch.”

A few times a season we’d host a “family” dinner for the whole team. It was a bonding thing Jack tried his first season as coach. I got a little carried away with making each meal a theme.

“I’m going to the Orkney Islands this summer. Jackie invited me to review her research.” I swallowed hard because this trip was turning into a litmus test. Who was a real friend? Who was an imposter?

Jack froze. “Berlin. This is incredible. Congratulations!”

Of course Jack remembered. “Thanks. I’m thrilled. I’m out of my mind. It’s months away and I’m already buying clothes and packing.”

“Of course you are. It’s your dream trip. Research and travel all rolled into one.”

God, it felt good to be seen. “It’s actually why I broke up with Ryker. He didn’t understand and he doesn’t like to fly, so he refused to even think about going with me.”

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