"Tyler, that's not helpful."
"It's accurate though."
The door opened.
And Rachel walked in.
Mac's brain short-circuited.
She looked beautiful. Dark jeans, a soft lavender sweater that made her skin glow, her hair down in loose waves around her shoulders. She spotted Mac immediately, and the nervous smile that crossed her face made his stomach clench.
Mac stood up so fast he nearly knocked over his water glass.
"Smooth," Jamie muttered.
Mac ignored him and crossed to Rachel, meeting her halfway across the pub.
"Hi," Rachel said, her fingers twisting nervously in front of her.
"Hi." Mac couldn't stop smiling. "You made it."
"I almost turned around twice in the parking lot."
"But you didn't."
"But I didn't." Rachel glanced past him at the table, where his entire team was definitely watching them. "They're all staring."
"They're going to embarrass me. Probably within the first five minutes. I apologize in advance."
Rachel laughed, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.
"Right. Good. Yes. Okay." Mac offered his hand, and Rachel took it. Her fingers were cold, nervous. He squeezed gently. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
They walked to the table together, and Mac felt like he was introducing her to his family.
Which, in a way, he was.
"Everyone, this is Rachel. Rachel, this is everyone."
Cole stood first, extending his hand with the natural authority of a team captain. "Cole Hansen. Nice to officially meet you. Mac hasn't shut up about you."
"Cole," Mac said through gritted teeth.
Cole grinned. "Welcome to the chaos."
Ellie was already standing, pulling Rachel into a quick hug. "Hey! I'm so glad you came. I’ve seen you around town, but not properly met you! Sophie told me Mac invited you and I've been excited all day."
"Hi, Ellie." Rachel smiled, visibly more relaxed with a familiar face. "Thanks for letting me crash team dinner."
"Are you kidding? We need more women at this table. It's usually Sophie, me and sometimes Luke's wife Emma, but she mostly stays home with their kids when we do these team things." Ellie gestured to the empty seat next to her. "Sit by me. I'll protect you from the worst of it. I’m the team’s PT."
PTs and hockey players. That dynamic. The trust, the closeness, the way players looked up to their therapists like— She shut down that train of thought before it could fully form. Ellie wasn't Derek. And Mac wasn't Brad.
Jamie was next. "Jamie Lawson. Defenseman. Equipment manager. Professional third wheel to Cole and Ellie. I'm the one who interrupted your first date to embarrass Mac."
"I remember." Rachel's smile widened. "You're hard to forget."
