“Book club.” My thumb sneaks under her shirt, tracing small circles on her skin. I catch the hitch of her breath at the contact.
Hannah and Logan join our group, then Hannah calls, “Natalie! Ilya! Get over here,” across the room.
Natalie smiles and heads our way.
She’s halfway across the room when Volk intercepts her. She tries to sidestep him, but he’s faster. In one smooth motion, he bends and tosses her over his shoulder.
She lets out a yelp that turns into a laugh, smacking his back. “Put me down, you neanderthal!”
He doesn’t. He carries her toward the back hallway, and they disappear from view.
The commotion draws Ada’s attention. Owen’s close at her side, shooting dirty looks at just about any man who looks at her.
“They’redefinitelyfalling in love,” Hannah says, then loops her arm through Ada’s with a conspiratorial smile. “We need to find someone for you next.”
“I volunteer,” Helm says with a smirk.
“No.” Owen scowls up at him. Ada and Hannah say in unison, “Absolutely not.”
His brows pull together. “What the hell.”
“Language,” Owen snarks, and Ada giggles into her glass.
“This is great,” Summer whispers, giving me a smile that’s only for me.
Fox wraps his arms around Mia’s shoulders. “Can you believe these two?” He tips his chin toward us. “I had money on Valentine’s.”
“I said New Year’s,” Mia adds smugly.
“I thought it was the night you showed up at the game,” Hannah adds, and Ada says, “Same.”
Everyonesaw it coming. Even me, though I tried like hell to stop it—falling for her was inevitable.
“Wait, you bet on us?” Summer’s voice rises.
They’re saved by the doorbell ringing. Summer ducks under my arm with an “I’ll get it.”
My gaze follows her as she weaves through the crowd, exchanging quick words and a laugh with my teammates along the way. This isn’t her world. Or her people. She doesn’t have years of team parties and playoff runs to draw from. And yet?—
“Your girl is something else,” Kettler says, appearing at my side with his wife, Lexi.
“Yeah.”
“I might have to hand over all future hosting duties,” Lexi says. “Not sure I’ll ever be able to outdo this.”
“Someone’s gonna have to throw a party when we win the cup,” Helm butts in.
I almost say Summer won’t be here for it. But I don’t.
I find her again as she swings the front door open. Cash stands on the front porch, floppy hair perfectly messy, and a bottle of champagne in each hand. He’ll get along swimmingly with Helm.
Hannah grabs Logan’s arm. “Shit, is that Cash Walker?”
Cash opens his arms and manages to wrangle Summer into a hug, champagne bottles clanging behind her. Every muscle in my body tightens, but I take a breath, then let it out.
Summer gestures for him to come in, her eyes searching the room. When they land on me, she smiles, and they make their way over.
Cash drops the champagne on the bar as he passes.
