Ellie claps her hands. “Yes, girl, establish those boundaries.”
“Hockey players are known for their superstitions. If you think about it, it makes sense.”
Aiden had some weird ones when we were dating, although I didn’t pay much attention to them. He kind of kept me separate from the hockey world, which at the time, felt weird, but I didn’t question him on it.
Looking back now, I couldn’t have been any stupider.
“He said he scored a goal, and they broke their losing streak after we met.”
Nicole’s eyes widen. “You’re his new good luck charm.”
“Like those rabbit foot keychains.”
Nicole and I both look at Ellie. Nicole’s face contorts. “Um, maybe not exactly like that.” We share a quiet laugh before she looks at me. “What about you? Any progress with your book?”
“The spark I needed—it’s come back to me,” I admit, a smile creeping across my lips as my stomach does a somersault. “I’ve been jotting down notes and have a few ideas that feel promising. I’m just not sure what I want to do yet. But to answer your question, yes.”
I need to have something for my agent tomorrow, but I feel a hell of a lot more hopeful than I did before. I have twenty-four hours to get something ready for her.
“You found your new muse.”
The smile spreads across my face. “I think I did. Although, this whole situation is a first for me.”
Ellie waves her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. You’re just doing it for the plot.”
That’s exactly what this is. Something about him leaves me feeling inspired and he’s already agreed to help me figure out this story. It’s like our very own pact, in a way. I help him, he helps me.
A laugh bubbles in my throat. “Oh my god, it’s a plot pact.”
“Literally,” Nicole laughs, her head tipping back as the three of us cackle. She straightens and gives me a pointed look.
I look back and forth at both my best friends. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
Nicole looks sad and Ellie’s face contorts. “I’m not going anywhere,” she says. “We’ll still see each other when I’m home.”
I’m immediately embarrassed by the amount of sensitivity I’m showing. Ellie’s new degree earned her a promotion... one that requires a great deal of traveling.
“You’re right,” I admit, nodding my head. “Sorry, my mind is just all over the place.”
Nicole smiles. “I’m just a few hours away.” Her eyes squint with a hint of mischief. “Just so you know, we’re going to need all the details with your new little friend.”
Details? Matteo and I are not dating. We have a mutual agreement—an understanding. We’re both using each other and no one is going to be benefitting in a way that will be anything worth sharing.
“I told you, it’s not like that.”
“For now,” Ellie says with a wink. “Nicole’s married and all the men I’ve met suck. I’d rather just hear your stories instead.”
“I have nothing to tell other than fictional ones.”
Ellie sighs. “Why are all the good men fictional?”
“Because they’re written by women,” Nicole chuckles. “Well, except for my husband. It’s like he crawled right off the pages of a romance novel.”
I lift a brow. “You practically trained him.”
Nicole smiles, lifting her finger as she presses it to her lips. “Shh. That secret is only for the girls.” She glances around like she’s checking to make sure no one is listening. “We can’t let the men know.”
“My lips are sealed.”
