Good chem.That was such a hockey thing to say. The guys were always talking about which defensive and offensive pairs had good chem.
But when it came to Frasier, I didn’t know what to think anymore. He didn’t date. And after our conversation the other night, I knew he wasn’t hooking up with anyone. But then I thought back on his comment—asking if I was offering to hook up with him. It made me wonder… Was he attracted to me?
And it wasn’t just that. There were little moments when I’d catch him staring at me, or he’d let his touch linger. Anytime we watched TV, he’d place his arm around me, letting me cuddle into his side. Because we were friends, right?
Instead of answering Georgia’s question—because I couldn’t—I tried to deflect with humor. “We’re not hockey players.” I draped a black dress over my arm, adding to my pile of things to try on.
“No, but I’m sure he’d be happy to body check you.” She grinned, removing the black dress I’d just selected and replacing it with another, more colorful one.
I pulled a face at her cheesy pun.
She laughed, not at all bothered. Then her expression turned more serious as she placed her hand on my arm. “Hockey jokes aside, you and Frasier are good together.”
“Yeah. As friends.”
“Oh, come on, Bryn.” Her eyes danced with mischief. “I see the way he looks at you, and it’s not like a friend.”
I opened my mouth, ready to argue. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t heard before. Everyone was always trying to read more into Frasier’s and my friendship than there was. Teammates. Family members. Friends. The internet.
“Stop shipping us,” I teased.
I may have stopped wearing my wedding ring, but I was still very committed to my husband. I’d planned to spend the rest of my life with him, and just because his life had been cut short didn’t mean my love ended.
Georgia watched me, giving me a cryptic smile. “You know it would be okay if you weren’tjustfriends, though, right?”
“I—” I cleared my throat and glanced at the floor. I wasn’t so sure about that. “I just don’t see that happening.”
“Why not?” Her tone was laced with curiosity and free of judgment.
I sighed, a million reasons racing through my mind.
Derek, for starters. What the hell would he think? What would his parents think? This wasn’t just me dating another man—it was Derek’s best friend.
And even if you ignored all that, I wasn’t sure Frasier was interested. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to go there. What if Frasier and I tried to be something more, and it made everything awkward? What if I screwed up one of the most important relationships in my life?
Ultimately, I shook my head.
“Because you’re not ready to date anyone? Or because you’re not interested in Frasier?”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever bereadyto date someone, but also…” I swallowed hard around the boulder lodged in my throat. I didn’t even know how to say it.
“You still have needs,” Georgia offered.
“I, um… Yeah,” I said, grateful that she understood.
God, it felt good to admit that. Freeing.
I didn’t just miss my husband, I missed being held. Touched. I missed sex.
Georgia wrapped her arm around me, hugging me tight. “Of course you do.”
I released a heavy sigh, giving her a quick squeeze in return. “Thanks for always understanding.”
Georgia—like Frasier and my other best friend, Logan—had been my rock. I’d had to survive one of the most painful life experiences in a very public way, and she’d been there for me every step of the way.
When I’d been living in a haze of shock and grief, she’d whipped into action. She’d fixed my hair and makeup many times, making sure I looked fabulous even when I was falling apart. And she’d stood by my side at his funeral, at the tribute games, holding my hand when I needed extra support. The games had been deeply moving and beautiful but also profoundly painful.
For now, I mostly preferred to watch the games on TV from the privacy of my living room, cuddling with Baconand Biscuit while Georgia did her nails and Logan yelled at the screen, at least when she wasn’t playing herself in the PWHL for Minnesota. Sometimes Kylie joined us. Georgia had recommended that I reach out to her to help me with PR after Derek’s death, and Kylie and I had since become close friends.
