All the reasons seem meaningless now that we’ve met in person. Not that he had any clue who I was aside from Genevieve, the pop star. But he didn’t treat me like that. He treated me like a normal person.
Something I miss more than I know.
And seeing him in person?
Wow.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so sexy. That chiseled jaw covered in scruff. His dark eyes focused on me. Jasper looks like he could pick me up with one hand and hold me against the wall with ease.
Something not just any person could do with my plus-size curves—ones I’m proud of and will flaunt any chance I can.
“Damn.” Claire whistles from beside me. “That was hot.”
“What?” I shake myself out of my stupor.
My best friend, Claire, is standing right beside me, jaw nearly on the ground.
“You. Him. Hot.”
“Himhas a name. And it’s Jasper.”
She grins at me. “Of course you know it.”
I look down at my jersey. “I’m wearing his number. Of course I know who he is.”
“And I haven’t seen you that happy to talk to someone in a long time,” she says.
“Excuse me, ladies,” one of the team attendants interrupts us. “We’re ready for you, Miss Rose.”
“Are you nervous?” Claire asks.
I swat at her. “Would you stop asking me that? You know I don’t get nervous before things like this.”
“Yeah, but you’ve never sung the national anthem.”
I adjust the jersey I’m wearing and roll my eyes at her. “It’s just like any other event.”
Except this time I’m performing in front of Jasper. And I want to do well for him.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Give it up for one of Nashville's hottest pop stars!” The crowd roars in response. “Here to sing the National Anthem, please welcome Genevieve!”
Taking the microphone from the team attendant, I walk out on the red carpet—one of the Knights’ colors—and look around at the sell-out crowd. With one last deep breath, I push every thought from my mind and start singing.
I put my everything into the anthem. It doesn’t need anything fancy or to be over-the-top. I belt it out, singing each note to perfection. When I come to the last note, elongating it ever so slightly, the crowd is cheering with enthusiasm.
Before I leave the ice, my eyes scan over the bench, locking on Jasper. His brow is furrowed.Huh.I wonder what that’s about.
“You crushed it!” Claire greets me with open arms as I come off the ice. “I had chills.”
“Thanks. That was fun.”
“You should try and do it for the Knights more often.”
“Okay.” I laugh. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“That was wonderful, Miss Rose.” The same woman from earlier comes back over to me and takes the mic from my hand. “If you’d like, I can show you to your suite now.”
“Yes, please,” Claire answers before I can.
