Page 101 of At First Smile
“Daddy, don’t be crass. This isn’t a locker room,” Liv teases, poking her dad.
Affection glints in his eyes. “My apologies.” He extends a hand to Pen. “Stefan Carlson, nice to meet you, Pen.”
She grins. “It’s lovely to meet you. Rowan has said so many wonderful things about you.”
He huffs a laugh. “I’m sure that will change when training camp starts in a few weeks.”
The knot in my stomach seems to untie with each smile and joke as Stefan continues to speak with Pen. Almost two months ago I sat in the visiting team’s locker room in Toronto, a dull ache in my chest, as Stefan walked away after saying, “Get out of my sight.”
“Coach Carlson. Iverson. Glad that you both could make it.” Landon steps into the group, his predatory gaze dropping on Carlson’s daughter. “Liv.”
My jaw clenches.
“Liv? I didn’t realize you knew my daughter.” Carlson’s eyebrow raises.
“We met in March at an event at the university. I always enjoy giving back to my old collegiate stomping ground.”
Liv’s eyes drop to her feet.
“Liv, can I steal you for a minute to help me find the restroom,” Pen almost blurts.
“I’m sorry.” Landon chuckles. “How rude of me. I’m Landon Andrews.” He extends a hand toward Pen.
“Penelope Meadows.” She takes his hand but releases it as soon as it is socially acceptable to do so.
“My girlfriend,” I add quickly, pulling Pen closer.
“Girlfriend? Really? Giving up that monk lifestyle since losing?”
“Well, Friar Tuck here forced you to a game seven.” Pen bristles beside me, a quiet growl builds in her throat.
“That he did.” Chuckling, Landon’s stare drags down Pen and lands on Cane Austen, who rests in her right hand. “Iverson, are you using this lovely lady to get out of the bachelor auction?”
On the surface, the joke appears lighthearted, but I bristle with the thinly-veiled judgment that underscores Landon’s words. Storm clouds form within me and I open my mouth.
But Pen is quicker. “Nope. I’m using him for his body.”
Liv snorts. Carlson chortles. Landon gapes.
Laughing, I press my head against hers murmuring, “Christ, woman.”
“What? It’s quite lovely.”
“On that note—” Liv steps forward. “Pen and I are off to do girl talk in the bathroom.”
With a quick kiss, Pen saunters away, arm-and-arm with Liv.
“How on earth did you meet her?” Landon’s forehead scrunches.
“Tim Hortons.”
“I may need to frequent Tim Hortons,” Carlson says, awe in his tone.
“I take it this means I’ll need to find a new bachelor to replace you. Coach, ready to get back out there?” Landon says, pushing his hands into his pockets.
“No,” Carlson says gruffly.
“Come on, it wouldn’t be the most embarrassing thing to happen to you in the city of Toronto.” A snake-like smile slithers across Landon’s face.
