Page 6 of Off-Limits as Puck

“Yes,” I say, surprising myself with how certain I sound. “I’d like that.”

His smile is beautiful, relieved, and something else I can’t quite identify. “Let me just settle our tab.”

As he guides me back toward the bar, I catch sight of my friends. Emma raises her eyebrows in a silent question, and I give her a small nod. She grins and makes a shooing motion with her hands, clearly giving me permission to abandon them for the night.

While Reed handles the check, I head over to their table to grab my purse.

“So?” Mia demands before I’ve even reached them.

“So I’m going to explore Vegas with a very nice hockey player.”

“Just explore?” Sarah asks with a wicked grin.

“Just explore,” I confirm, though the flush in my cheeks probably gives away that I’m hoping for more than just sightseeing.

“Text us,” Emma says, suddenly serious. “I know you’re an adult and you can take care of yourself, but text us so we know you’re okay.”

“I will.” I hug each of them quickly. “Thank you. For tonight, for this weekend, for making me wear this ridiculous tiara.”

“Thank the tiara,” Mia says. “I don’t think he would have noticed you without it.”

I touch the plastic crown I’d forgotten I was still wearing. “Should I take it off?”

“Absolutely not,” they chorus, and I laugh despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach.

Reed appears at my side, his hand finding the small of my back in a gesture that’s already becoming familiar. “Ready?”

I look back at my friends one more time, these women who’ve known me since college and who’ve spent the last six years watching me disappear into my research. They’re all grinning at me like they’ve just won the lottery.

“Ready,” I tell Reed, and realize I actually mean it.

As we walk toward the exit, Reed leans down to speak quietly in my ear. “For the record, I’m glad you kept the tiara.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because it was the first thing that made me notice you weren’t like everyone else in here.”

I’m still trying to process that comment when we step out into the warm Vegas night, the city spread out before us like a playground of possibilities.

4

Walking through Vegas at midnight with this beautiful woman feels surreal. The neon lights cast everything in an otherworldly glow, but all I can focus on is her. She’s still wearing that ridiculous tiara, and every few steps she reaches up to adjust it like she’s not quite used to having it there. It’s endearing as hell.

“So where does one go for coffee in Vegas at midnight?” she asks, glancing up at the towering hotels around us.

“Honestly? I have no idea.” I realize how that sounds and laugh. “I told you, usually it’s hotel-arena-hotel for us. I’ve never actually explored any of the cities we play in.”

“So we’re both winging it.”

“Seems like it.” I spot a small gelato place tucked between two massive casinos, still open at this late hour. “How about dessert? Might be good to get some sugar in you.”

She follows my gaze and grins. “Gelato at midnight in Vegas. Why not? This whole night has been about doing things I don’tnormally do.”

The shop is nearly empty except for a tired-looking teenager behind the counter who perks up when he sees us. Chelsea spends five minutes debating between flavors before settling on salted caramel, while I go with simple vanilla. We find a small table outside where we can watch the organized chaos of the Strip.

“Okay, confession time,” she says after her first spoonful. “I Googled you while you were paying for the gelato.”

I freeze with my spoon halfway to my mouth. “And?”

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