So much for multitasking.
“So…” Jill begins, trailing off, her tone dripping with curiosity.
I can see the curiosity burning behind her eyes, but I keep my expression neutral.
These women aren’t my friends, and I doubt they want to be. They’re just looking for the next juicy piece of gossip. If they’re bold enough to ask, I’ll answer, but I’m not about to hand it to them on a silver platter.
I smile instead. “Who are you here to watch?” I ask, smoothly steering the conversation in another direction.
“Um, Lochlan,” she says, pointing toward the ice. A helmetless guy is skating around, joking with another player with shaggy, blonde hair spilling out from under his helmet. “That’s my husband.”
“Nice,” I say, mostly because I don’t know what else to say. “You didn’t want to sit up in the box?”
Jill wrinkles her nose like I just suggested something offensive. “Usually, the puck bunnies get sent up there. The wives sit down here where we can see the action because we actually care about watching our husbands play and not posting on social media the entire time.”
Noted. Guess I’m never getting to check out the skybox with its undoubtedly delicious food and drinks in fear of being accused of being a puck bunny.
I give her a polite smile and stay quiet as Cassie leans in. “So… you’re Boone’s new girlfriend?” She pauses, looking slightly embarrassed. “Sorry for our surprise. It’s just… he hasn’t had a girlfriend since—”
Jill makes a face at her that stops her from talking.
“Anastasia,” I say with a practiced smile.
I should have known they’d know his ex-fiancé.
They both nod like they’re relieved I’m not oblivious to who she is. How could I not be? Anastasia Belmont, heiress to the Belmont Bread fortune, was plastered all over the news as Boone’s fiancée when they got engaged until their very public breakup. And, well, Iamsupposed to be married to the guy now. It feels like that’s something that a couple would talk about prior to getting married.
‘Just so you know, I’ve been engaged before. To the heir of a bread dynasty.’
That conversation definitely didn’t happen between us, but I can imagine that’s how it would have gone.
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s a bit shocking to see me here,” I add. “But when Boone and I met, it was basically love at first sight.”
Jill’s eyes drop to my hand, and she lets out an audible gasp. “Is that… an engagement ring and a wedding band?”
“You two aremarried?” Cassie whisper-shouts, her tone almost scandalized.
I smile again, unfazed, because this reaction is to be expected and I’m working which means, well, I’m acting too. “This week, actually.”
Jill lets out a laugh, shaking her head. I can’t tell whether it’s genuine or cynical, but before I can dwell on that, the buzzer sounds, indicating the game is starting.
And then the whole stadium erupts into pure chaos. Pucks fly, players crash into the glass, and Cassie and Jill erupt into shouts, cheering loudly for their husbands.
The roar of the crowd is deafening, and any chance for conversation is obliterated by the sheer intensity of the game. At one point I see Boone go head-to-head with a player from the other team, smashing each other into the glass.
I can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing, but damn does he lookhotdoing it. What do they call the ice rink?The boy aquarium.Adorable. But also… intense.
By the time halftime is called, I feel like I just witnessed an actual battlefield rather than a hockey game.
I want to ask if they’re going to be okay. There was some blood, and I’m pretty sure one of our guys got their noses broken. But the moment the players clear the ice, Jill and Cassie turn back to me like we didn’t just witness a full-on massacre at the hands of their husbands.
Wait,ourhusbands?
Wow… that’s a weird thought to have and it came a little too naturally.
“We’re so happy for you and Boone. Boone hasn’t dated anyone since Anastasia and frankly, we were all worried about him when he moved in with Penn.”
Cassie nods in agreement.
