She blinks. “Oh! Yeah, you’re the guy who plays on the hockey team, right? You’re like a legend around here.”
I grin, her words making me prouder than I should feel.
Mack growls.
“In the fucking flesh, babe. And you must be…”
I reach for his date’s hand and she blushes, her gaze falling on me with excitement.
“Maggie.”
“Ah, Maggie. Cute name,” I say as I kiss the back of her hand politely. “I’ve heard so much about you. Mack just raves about you.” I smile.
Jordan looks like he’s two seconds away from punching me. I’ve hit a nerve.
Interesting.
I can’t help myself when it comes to pushing his buttons, despite knowing I’ll pay for it later.
“Really?” she asks, sneaking a glance at Jordan. “I didn’t know you knew one another. Jordan hasn’t mentioned it.”
“Oh, Mack and I go way back, don’t we?” I nudge him with my elbow and more beer sloshes out of his cup.
His fiery gaze holds mine and I wink.
Serves him right for making me do that extra set of leg raises. Asshole.
My body freezes when I hear my name called, just as Mack opens his mouth.
“Alex! There you are!” Kearstin says as she walks over. “For a minute, I thought you bailed on me.”
Jordan cocks his head, an arrogant expression crossing his face.
“Alex would never bail on anyone. He’s too much of a golden retriever for that.”
I clear my throat, smiling as I say, “Of course not.”
“Kearstin,” she says, extending her hand. She and Maggie exchange pleasantries, and then Maggie introduces Jordan, linking her arms around his giant one,again. The comfortability they have together makes me think this isn’t a first date, and probably not the second or third. They’ve been doing this a while.
“Where are you guys headed off to?” Maggie asks while Jordan glares at me.
“I think we were headed for the pumpkin patch, right, Alex?” Kearstin asks, turning to me.
“Mhmm. Can’t leave the fall fest without a big, plump pumpkin. Right, Jordan?”
Before he can answer, Maggie squeals. “Oh my God, that’s where we were headed! We should go together!”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m in,” I say before anyone else can speak.
When Jordan shoves past me, nearly knocking me over to lead the way, I can’t help but grin.
This date isn’t so bad after all.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jordan
I knew the festival was a bad idea. I didn’t want to come in the first place, but Maggie asked and I couldn’t tell her no; not after blowing her off last week for our anniversary. I need to grovel and do everything she says for the foreseeable future. She gave me another chance, something I don’t deserve, and so I have to pay her back for that.
