Page 22 of Desperate Pucker
“We were friends for a really long time. He let me live with him while I got my life back together,” Dakota says. “I’d always had a crush on him, though.”
“And he had a crush on you too,” Sophie says.
Dakota blushes, then looks at me. “I know it sucks right now, but things will get better. And I know that dating is probably the last thing on your mind right now, but you’re going to find someone amazing who actually deserves you.”
There’s a soft pain in my chest at the thought…at how hopeless that feels right now.
“I can’t imagine ever being with anyone again,” I say. “I ended things with my ex two years ago, and I haven’t been interested in pursuing anything with anyone since then.”
They all nod like they understand.
“Totally get it,” Ingrid says. “Sometimes you just need to be by yourself.”
“But if you get lonely, you can always find a hockey hottie to rock your world in bed,” Bella says.
I cough on my sip of wine. Maya elbows Bella, who just shrugs.
“What? That’s pretty much what we all did,” Bella says. “Most of us started hooking up with our guys just to have fun. Now look at us. We’re all married and engaged.”
I glance around the table. “Really?” They all nod.
“Xander was the first guy I was with after my ex,” Sophie says.
“Theo and I were friends with benefits after I caught my ex with someone else,” Maya says.
“Del was the first guy I hooked up with after my breakup,” Ingrid says with a sweet smile.
“Braden was my hookup buddy after I had sworn off hockey players forever,” Bella says. “Then we became roommates. And now I’m engaged to a hockey goalie.” She raises her wine glass with a chuckle.
I look at all of them and let out a laugh that’s equal parts disbelief and amusement.
“Wow, okay. Good to know,” I murmur. They all laugh.
“Camden would totally hook up with you,” Ingrid teases.
“I get the feeling that guy would hook up with any attractive woman who gave him an enthusiastic yes.”
They all laugh and say that yes, he would.
“He’s cute for sure, but he’s really young,” I say. “And I’m just not interested in being with anyone right now.”
“If you change your mind, you’ve got an entire team of hockey hotties to choose from,” Bella says.
“Not gonna happen, ever,” I say.
“Not even with Ryker?” Ingrid quirks an eyebrow.
I make a grossed-out noise. They all chuckle.
“Especially not with Ryker. He’s a jerk. And he can’t stand me.”
I watch as they all exchange a knowing look.
“What?” I ask.
“Maya couldn’t stand Theo when she first met him. And Bella couldn’t stand Blomdahl when she first met him either,” Ingrid says. “Now look at them.”
Bella and Maya laugh. I shake my head and chuckle. “That might have worked out for you all, but I can promise you it won’t for me. Never in a million years would I ever hook up with Ryker.”
