Page 38 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
“Maya, it was everything. Can you imagine what would have happened if you weren’t here to take control of this morning? I would have had five kids screaming and crying through hockey drills. This camp wouldn’t have lasted more than today because I’m certain their parents wouldn’t let them come back.”
She chuckles. “Okay, but you had them hypnotized with your stick tricks. I couldn’t compete with that.”
“My stick tricks pale in comparison to your hot cocoa.”
This time when she laughs, I take a second to savor the sound, how light and joyful it is. We both go quiet for a moment we look at each other. I notice that even though we’ve put away our phones, we’re still standing close to each other. So close that I can count the light gold-brown freckles on the bridge of her nose. So close that I can breathe in that vanilla-rose scent she’s wearing. Christ, it’s intoxicating.
Maya bites her bottom lip. “I should call Ingrid. She’s dying to know how day one of hockey camp went.”
I nod, shaking myself out of my stupor. “Absolutely. I’ve gotta run to make my physical therapy appointment.”
“Cool.” Maya gives a soft smile, her gaze on me lingering and focused. A second later she walks toward her bedroom, but I can swear there was something in her look…like she could sense a shift between us too.
During the drive to physical therapy, all I can think about is that look.
Chapter15
Maya
Iwatch as Theo leads the kids in a skating conga line around the perimeter of the pond. I can’t help but laugh. It’s so cute and sweet and funny to watch him be so goofy and playful around the kids.
He shimmies his hips to the beat of the Kidz Bop version of Cardi B’s “I Like It Like That” blaring at full blast from his phone. He rounds the curve of the pond, careful to keep a slower pace so the kids can keep up with him.
“Okay guys, arms up high! Like you’re touching the sky!” he says. Five pairs of tiny arms reach up.
I snap a photo and send it to the group text I have with all the parents of the kids that attend the camp.
We’re doing a musical conga line as part of this morning’s fun skate!
They send back glowing compliments and heart emojis.
So cute!
Awww!!!
Wow, Theo is so great with the kids!
The longer I watch Theo play with the kids, the weaker my limbs feel. It’s the second weekend of hockey camp and Theo is thriving as the kids’ coach. And every time I see him in his element, whether it’s leading them in a fun and silly playtime or patiently teaching them some cool hockey move, I’m on the verge of swooning. There’s just something so freaking attractive about a guy who’s good with kids—and I don’t even know if I want kids.
For a second, I think about how confusing that is. But I guess it makes sense. When a guy can be patient and doting with kids, it shows that they can be sweet and sensitive. And that’s hot as hell.
Plus, he’sliterallyhot as hell.
My gaze glides down the length of his body. He’s wearing a parka, beanie, scarf, and gloves since it’s the middle of winter, but all the fabric does little to hide how tall, broad, and muscular he is.
And I’ve got the image of his sculpted form in all its naked glory seared in my memory from that one time I walked in on him…
I shake my head and feel ashamed that I’ve allowed such a dirty thought to enter my mind. There are kids around, for crying out loud. And I shouldn’t be having these thoughts about Theo of all people. Even now when I think about it, I can hardly believe it. I mean, it’s Theo—the guy who I couldn’t stand weeks ago. The guy who I’ve loathed since the day I met him years ago because he’s cocky and never misses an opportunity to give me a hard time.
But I’d be lying if I said I still feel that way about him. Yeah, we still bicker…but it’s more like fun-loving teasing. Now that we’re living and working together, I actually like him and consider him a friend.
I think back to the first day of hockey camp when Theo was flustered after the kids admitted they wanted to play around instead of doing hockey drills. He looked to me for guidance—he let me take the lead. He took me seriously. And god, did that feel good.
I’ve lost track of the number of times people have doubted me and wrote me off as a flake who had no idea what I was doing. Not Theo. On that day—and every day that we’ve worked together at this hockey camp—he’s let me take the lead on so many things. He asks for my opinion when it comes to planning activities and coming up with back-up plans. He doesn’t assume I’ll drop the ball or flake out or lose interest. He has confidence in my work ethic and my abilities. And that’s given me a level of confidence I’ve never had before.
That warmth in my chest intensifies. He is amazing.
The song ends, pulling me out of my thoughts.
