Page 78 of Wildcat
“I’m not dating anyone else. I don’t want to date anyone else. Be my girlfriend, dream girl?”
“What about my dad and the team?”
“We’ll tell him together.” He leans in. “That is if you’ve decided you like me with my clothes on.”
“I definitely prefer you naked,” I say, resting a hand on his chest.
“The feeling is very mutual.” He kisses me again. This PDA thing is addicting. “A buddy of mine is here with his wife. I want to introduce you.”
“Okay.” I hold his arm as we circle around the room. His buddy is a retired hockey player, Maxwell Smith. He’s well-known enough that even I’ve heard his name.
Leo keeps his arm around my waist the entire time. I feel a surge of happiness that he so possessively keeps me by his side, but I’m anxious at being in public with him. We need to tell my dad soon because it’s clear we aren’t going to be able to keep this a secret for much longer.
We look at art, we run into more people he knows, and he continues to introduce me as his girlfriend. I’m practically humming with happiness from it all.
He hands me a second glass of champagne, and we find ourselves alone in front of one of the photographs.
“This was the best date I’ve ever been on.” I drape my arms around his shoulders, balancing my flute carefully. “I might have to start calling you dream guy.”
26
NAKED CELEBRATION
LEO
The following day,I arrive at the arena with Scarlett’s coffee as usual. I stop in the break room, but the coffee is already made. Someone got here early. I’m smiling as I head to her office, thinking of last night. Daria already texted late after I got home to give me the thumbs up. I was tagged in a bunch of photos outside of the exhibit and I got bonus points because one of Maxwell and me blew up. He’s been retired for two years, but the people of Minnesota still love him.
I head to Scarlett’s office to deliver her coffee, but when I step into the doorway, my steps falter at the sight of Anna. She looks up from her desk and smiles. “Hi, Leo!”
“You’re back.” I’ve never been more disappointed to see Coach’s assistant.
“Yeah. Just this morning.” She blows out a breath and looks around frazzled. “I feel like I’ve been gone for a million years. Did you need anything? I haven’t checked emails yet.”
I take a step backward, retreating from her office. “No. I didn’t need anything. I just saw the light on. Welcome back.”
I can’t believe how disappointed I am. I guess the good news is that I’ll still see Scarlett, but with the season in full swing, it was nice to catch little glimpses of her during the day and steal kisses over breaks.
She’s waiting for me outside of the locker room, coffee cup in hand. A smile spreads across my face at the sight of her. Damn, I’m going to miss seeing her every morning.
“I just stopped by your office,” I say when I stop in front of her.
“Was I there being fabulously efficient?”
“Sadly no.” I lean in and inhale her fruity-smelling shampoo. “There’s an imposter in my dream girl’s office.”
I pull back at her soft laughter.
“I found out last night when I got home.”
“I guess you’ll have to get your own coffee from now on.” I point to the cup in her hand.
“Oh, no. This is for you.” She holds it out. “I thought it being my last day and all, I’d bring you a morning drink for a change. A small repayment. Plus, I wanted an excuse to see you.”
“You never need an excuse.” I take it but don’t make any move to drink it.
“It’s tea.” She rolls her eyes. “I had a real moral dilemma ordering it, too.”
I hand over hers. She reads the side where I had the barista writeGirlfriendinstead of her name. The guy looked at me like I was an idiot, but the smile on Scarlett’s face makes it totally worth it.
