Page 40 of Pucker Up
“He said he was joking.” I pointed to the TV, but I didn’t believe myself. Ace Bailey had spoken directly to me through the screen.
“Come on,” Mel’s voice was low. “He’s had a thing for you ever since the dicksicle dunk, and by the way your face is the same color as the wine, I’d say that the feeling is mutual.”
I gulped. She was right. Somehow, I was falling for the exact kind of man I’d spent my entire life trying to avoid—a player.
“No. I hardly know the guy.”
Mel dragged me to the far end of the box, next to the popcorn machine. “Goldie, I knew you when you were a freshman. You couldn’t lie then and you definitely can’t lie now. I’ve never seen you like this before. What are you going to do about it?”
What was I going to do about it?
I opened the machine and filled up another bag of popcorn. “Nothing. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Mel pouted. “Come on, can’t you break your stupid rule for once? So what if he’s a hockey player.”
The popcorn crunched as I chewed, trying to make sense of what Ace had said during the interview. I swallowed. “He’s more than a hockey player now, Mel. He’s part of my study—the study I’ve been working on for years.”
“Oh.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. Mel lived to work, and understood the importance of earning my master’s degree. Shelooked up, her gaze meeting mine and her stained lips drawing into a smile. “When is it over?”
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had the exact same thought. If Ace wasn’t in my study, would I date a player and risk being hurt?
A kernel lodged in my throat and I pressed my hand to my chest as I tried to clear it. “Not soon,” I croaked.
Mel handed me one of the bottles of water that were sitting on ice next to the sashimi platters. Replays from the game flickered across the wall of screens. Several versions of Ace Bailey’s grin and after-goal celebrations danced on their screens. “Not soon enough,” I whispered to myself.
“What was that?” Mel’s attention was focused on flagging down the waitress.
“Nothing.” As I chugged the rest of the bottle of water, my phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out and froze as I saw the name on the screen. Ace Bailey was calling me. I pushed the button to ignore the call and blacken the screen, but not fast enough.
Mel raised her eyebrows. “I think you’re going to need another glass of wine.”
“I think you’re right.”
She grinned. “And then we’re going to listen to the voice message.”
“He didn’t leave a voicemail.” As I said the words, the notification that I’d received a voicemail chimed from within my bag.
“Like I said…” She hooked her arm in mine. “Wine first, voicemail second.”
“Not here though.” Most of the people had left the box, but I didn’t want to risk the wrong person overhearing the game’s all-star leaving a message for the coach’s daughter. “Let’s go for a drink at The Hideaway..”
“On a school night?” Mel raised her brows. Earlier, I had told her that I needed to be home early.
“One drink.” I shook my finger at her. “One.”
Mel looped her hand through my arm. “You got it, Goldie Girl. Just one…bottle.” She muttered the last word under her breath.
I rolled my eyes, but laughed. “You’re going to be the death of me. I have to be at the rink at six in the morning for a session with Gideon Bailey.”
“Ooh.” Her eyes widened. “Do you need an assistant? I could help him get into his gown.”
I shook my head and the two of us climbed the stairs from the owner’s box, slipping into the flow of the stadium fans. Once we merged in with the general public, I had to shout above the noise of the crowd. “There’re no gowns.” It reminded me of Ace’s polygraph comment from earlier.
“What’s that grin for?” Mel shifted her handbag as she zipped up her puffy coat.
“Everyone thinks I’m probing and prodding these guys. I’m just asking them questions. Basic questions,” I clarified.
“Too bad.” Mel pointed to the bathroom. “I’ve gotta pee.”
