Page 103 of One Good Puck
She hops up and runs over to Sophie, and they hug. Sophie smiles at me. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, honey.”
Sophie smiles down at Emma. “My dad said you were coming into work with him today, so I wanted to say hi. I haven’t seen you since Del and Ingrid’s engagement party when my dad made you girl dinner.”
Emma giggles.
“Is he boring you with hockey stuff?” Sophie jokes.
Emma shakes her head. “No, I’m having fun. He got me a Happy Meal, and I’m watching theMinionsmovie.”
Sophie smiles at me. “Oh, that’s way more fun than hockey.”
I chuckle.
“I like hockey,” Emma says. “Mom and I watch it on TV sometimes. And she always points out Gavin when he’s on the screen.”
Sophie aims a knowing smile at me. I rein in my expression and try not to look too excited at finding out that Abby goes out of her way to look for me during games.
“Do you have a Bashers jersey?” Sophie asks Emma. “You have to wear a jersey when you watch the games like a true fan.”
Emma shakes her head.
“Well, let’s get you one,” Sophie says, holding out herhand for Emma. “Would that be okay if we went down to the team merchandise store?”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” I say.
Three of us head to the Bashers merchandise store. I smile as I watch Sophie and Emma walk hand in hand in front of me. Sophie’s always been so good with kids. She’s so warm and friendly. All kids love her.
I say hi to the merchandise shop employees and follow Sophie and Emma as they head to the back wall, where all the maroon Bashers jerseys are displayed.
“Do you have a favorite player?” Sophie asks Emma.
Emma shakes her head. “Do you?”
“I sure do. My fiancé, Xander Williams, is my favorite player.” She points out his jersey, number twenty-three, which is displayed in the middle of the wall.
“I have his jersey. I love wearing it,” Sophie says.
“Hell yeah, you do, gorgeous.”
I turn to the side and see Xander walking up to Sophie. His smile drops when he sees me.
“Oh sh…” He trails off when I glare at him, then nod at Emma.
Xander looks down and sees Emma. His face turns red. “Oh, hey there, Emma.”
Sophie chuckles. “Emma, do you remember Xander? You met him when you went ice skating with your mom.”
Emma smiles and waves at Xander.
He smiles at her. “You’re getting a jersey?” he asks.
“Emma doesn’t have a Bashers jersey yet, so we thought it would be fun to get her one,” Sophie says. “ She doesn’t have a favorite player yet, though.”
“How about a favorite number?” I ask.
“Seven is my favorite number,” Emma says. “It’s how old I am.”
