“Hannah!” The pretty redhead lifts a hand in a shy wave.
“Oh my gosh. What a surprise!” I get to my feet to hug her. It’s probably an overly friendly reaction to seeing someone I’ve only met once before but I am so genuinely happy to see her in this moment that I don’t hold back my excitement.
“I know.” She laughs as I squeeze her. When I pull back, I notice her boyfriend behind her. “Hey. Good to see you too. Congratulations on the win tonight.”
“Nick.” He reminds me, graciously and appreciatively since I had forgotten his name. “Thanks, and it’s good to see you again too.”
I open my mouth to ask them both what they’ve been up to, but I don’t get the question out before my gaze falls on the man slowly coming to stand next to Nick.
I thought I’d seen him earlier then convinced myself it was on the TV.
“Hannah, this is my friend Travis,” Ruby says. “He and Nick are teammates.”
Travis’s mouth pulls up on one side and his eyes are lit up with something like mischief or charm—two things I’m certain are a staple in his life.
“We’ve met,” I say to Ruby without looking away from Travis. He’s just as handsome as I remember. His dark hair is cut shorter on the sides, but the top strands are wavy with one wayward curl hanging down on his forehead. But it’s that big, lopsided grin that makes my stomach dip.
“Hey, Hannah.” His deep voice has a slight rumble to it that I feel in my body as he takes another step forward.
I take a step back. “Hi.”
There’s something about him that makes me feel off balance.
“Hey there!” Kinsley calls from behind me.
I open my stance to introduce my friends. “This is Kinsley and Skylar.”
I don’t bother introducing the guys, but they do it themselves.
“No way. Travis Bennett and Nick Galaxy!” Ezra’s voice is awe-filled as he lifts a beer toward them. “Nice game tonight. We’re big fans.”
“Huge!” Brandon says, waving both arms in exaggerated fashion. “Can we buy you a drink?”
“Thanks, but we’re heading out soon,” Nick says, lifting his nearly empty glass in polite appreciation.
“Really? You’re leaving?” I ask Ruby, sad that I won’t have more time to catch up. “How long are you in town?”
“Yeah. Apparently playing hockey is tiring.” She looks up at Nick adoringly. “But, actually, I live here now.”
“Really?” I look to Nick, easily understanding why she’s moved. When I met her, she was only planning to be in Moonshot for a short time, and they were still figuring out what they were to each other.
“Yeah.” She nods and grins bigger. “We should get together sometime when you aren’t busy with gymnastics.”
“We’re always busy with gymnastics,” Kinsley says.
“True,” I admit. “But I’ll make time. Let me give you my number.”
I feel Travis’s stare as I move closer to Ruby. She hands me her phone, and I input my number, then text myself so I have hers too.
I’m vaguely aware of Brandon asking Travis if he wants a drink. And hyperaware of Travis’s response. “I’m all set, but thanks.”
Ruby and I hug again and promise to hang out soon. Travis says his goodbyes to them too, which answers the question I most definitely had not been thinking on whether he was leaving too.
I wave to Ruby and Nick as they leave. Brandon and Ezra wander off too, which is exactly what I expect Travis to do. Instead, I find him watching me.
“How’ve you been?” he asks me. He doesn’t step closer this time, but I feel the full weight of his attention.
“You mean since you got me arrested and cost me my sponsorship? Or since you ate my dinner?” I ask with fake sweetness dripping from my tone. “So good, thanks for asking.”
