“My new job is even more reason why I shouldn’t be kissing any of these guys,” I point out.
Drunk or not, I will not be forgetting the promise I made to myself all those years ago.
No hockey players. Not again.
Ever.
“Baby, it’s almost time,” Kodie says, stepping up behind my best friend so he can steal her away for their midnight kiss.
“Please, Parker,” Casey begs, her eyes all soft and pathetic. “Next year is your year, I can feel it. Please don’t start it alone.”
“Go, just go,” I say, waving them off before turning to the bar and gesturing to one of the servers for a new drink.
My spine stiffens as someone steps up beside me.
I don’t need to turn around to know the looming presence belongs to a hockey player; I can tell by the expensive scent of their cologne.
My only question is…which one?
“Thank you,” I say as my double Jack and Coke is placed in front of me.
“Something wrong with all the champagne that’s being passed around?” His familiar deep, raspy voice rolls through me, igniting irritation everywhere it goes.
Closing my eyes, I silently will the man next to me away. This is not how I want to spend the end of this year and the beginning of the next.
But I already know I’m not that lucky.
Lifting my drink to my lips, I swallow a gulp, hoping it’ll help me deal with the man beside me.
My skin heats under his attention, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing he affects me in any way other than annoying me.
“I guess this is the problem with the parties the team owner throws. He doesn’t invite bunnies,” I taunt, finally twisting around to look at the player who dared to come over and ruin the last few minutes of this year.
The smirk that pulls at Lincoln Storm’s lips makes my teeth grind.
He thinks he’s so special. So hot and…okay, fine. He is hot. But the fact he knows it counteracts the whole situation. That along with a whole list of other things.
He’s always been the same. Although, it never used to annoy me as much as it does now.
I guess that’s what happens as you get older.
You get wiser.
“It’s not really an issue when you’re in the room, sweetheart.” My top lip curls.
“If you think that kind of line is going to get you anywhere with me, you really need to think again.”
“It’s almost midnight, Donnelly.”
“And that means what, exactly? You going to turn back into a pumpkin?”
One side of his mouth kicks up in amusement.
“I didn’t have you down as a fairy tale fan.”
I sneer at him.
“You’re even hotter when you’re drunk.”
