My eyes bug out at his insistence, but my heart also flutters at his concern. “You sound like my mother. Next thing I know you’re chasing me to go see a doctor about my allergies.”
“You have allergies?”
I shrug as I grab my sandals. “I don’t know, still need to test. It’s probably just hay fever or something. Again, not going to die, to your dismay.”
He offers me his arm, and his demeanor in the last five minutes is unnerving me. I don’t like when he’s unapologetically sweet or even appears to be. Still, my traitor of a subconscious disagrees with my thought, and I offer Connor my hand to pull me up. His strength causes me to shoot up like a rocket, and I stumble forward. His arms instantly balance me while my face buries into his chest. Inhaling, I make a note to figure out his laundry detergent; it’s a delicious fresh smell, not too masculine.
We cling to one another a second more than we should. Oh, how I hate the way every fiber inside of me clings to him like a magnet.
“Lock up and let’s go,” he requests softly.
Stepping back, I feign a frown. “If I must.”
A minute later, we are walking down Main Street, with the spring air fresh and the sun shining down, arm in arm because Connor believes I hate it, but I know he, and even I, might enjoy it. I notice a few spectators surveying us as we stroll down the sidewalk.
“Do you feel like everyone is watching us?” I whisper to Connor.
“I’m me. Of course they are.”
I snort a laugh because he’s serious, yet he means it light-heartedly. Connor enjoys being popular, but he also tries to use it to his advantage, both on the ice and when he helps out with charities. Ford and Brielle raised a man of character, just not when it comes to me.
“Relax,” he assures me. “We just hit the news, so give it a few days.”
I pull out my phone from my side pocket to look at the few headlines that I noticed after tap class.
“It’s positive, I guess.” I begin to read the headlines.
Hockey MVP Marries Baseball Princess in Shocking Vegas Wedding!
Curveball! Connor Spears Elopes with Former Baseball Star’s Daughter.
Hockey’s Favorite Bachelor Marries in Secret.
Connor Spears is Officially a Husband.
Two Famous Sports Families are Now United by Marriage.
“Oh, here is the article from Julia.”
Like a sheet of black ice, the public never saw the nuptials between Connor Spears and Hadley Crews coming. The reality is that these two are a match made in heaven. Connor, the son of former hockey player Ford Spears and his wife Brielle, plus nephew of The Spinners owner Declan Dash, has always proven he is worthy to be on the road to becoming the future captain of The Spinners. His off-ice antics gave him a notorious track record for enjoying life, but he’s now even more determined and committed both on and off the ice thanks to the love of his life. Hadley, daughter of former baseball star Spencer Crews and his wife April, is not only accustomed to pro-athlete life, but grew up with Connor as neighbors. Some may call it Vegas magic, but those close to them have always known about the soft spot these two share and are not surprised by this romantic elopement. The couple plan on making their home in Lake Spark where The Spinners train and to be close to their families. The female population may be sad that Connor’s off the market, but we look forward to watching sports’ newest hot couple appear at future events together.
“Who writes this fluff?” I comment.
“Julia,” he answers dryly.
“Yeah, no shit. But this sounds so…” I stare down at the accompanying photo, and I don’t even remember anyone taking this. It’s Connor kissing my forehead and a smile that even I know isn’t fake is hinted on my lips. Our hands are connected and hanging between us as I lean my head against his shoulder. If it wasn’t for the fact that this article has me boiling, then I might just admit that, gosh, we look good together… I mean, we are a photogenic couple, which tends to happen when two people are good-looking. And it looks like a stolen moment between husband and wife, so kudos to the photographer for doing his damn job.
“It’s a little sappy, but it does the trick. It’s a good article. I’m sure our moms are framing it as we speak.” Connor isn’t fazed by this.
I grumble a sound and stomp a few steps as we continue to walk. “I guess it’s… what we needed.”
“It will blow over in a few days when Shawn Cann does something stupid to land in the media.” He leads us and motions up ahead to Jolly Joe’s. “Grilled cheese?”
“Sounds good, actually.”
A few minutes later, we are sitting in a booth by the jukebox that’s barely used in Jolly Joe’s.
“Is this going to become a frequent occurrence? Lunch?” I ask one-toned and drop my straw into my iced tea.
