“We’re playing better than we have in years. Looks like all those sessions with you teaching us skating techniques are paying off for sure.” The server came over and I ordered green tea.
Myla gave me a sideways look, raising an eyebrow at me. “Who are you?” she teased.
“What? I don’t drink every day during the season. I need to stay on my A game and hangovers definitely put a damper on that.”
Simon reached into his pocket, checking his phone. “Well, look at the time. I have to be upsoearly for a private session.” He pulled some money out of his wallet. “I need to head out. Kisses.”
He blew kisses at Myla, who was pointing at him with a narrowed glare. “I know what you’re doing, sir. You sly motherfucker.”
Simon gasped. “Me? No! You know how easily I lose track of time.”
He was gone in a flash. “Did we just get set up?” I threw a piece of eel into my mouth.
Myla pursed her lips. “I cannot believe him sometimes. I’m sorry.”
I put my hand on her shoulder. “Honestly, I came here for you. I’ve been thinking about you a lot over the last few days. How’re you holding up?”
She looked down at her plate, mixing more wasabi into her soy sauce with a chopstick. “I’ve been okay. Seven has been helping keep me busy.”
“Seven?”
She pulled out her phone, giddy to show me pictures. “She’s a husky puppy. Brayden got her for me not too long ago so I wouldn’t be lonely when you guys were traveling.”
I flipped through the dozens of pictures Myla had. “She’s adorable.”
We spent the next few hours engrossed in conversation, ranging from hockey to our childhoods to Myla’s father, all the way back to lighthearted comedies and standup we both enjoyed.
I snorted as Myla laughed uncontrollably. “Cable Guyis by far my favorite Jim Carrey movie of all time.”
“The password is nipple,” I whispered in her ear, trying to keep a straight face.
She whipped her head around, not missing a beat. “I can’t say that to my mother!” Myla pulled off the flabbergasted tone and facial expression flawlessly.
“It’s just skin, Steven,” I replied, then we were both in stitches.
Myla’s phone started ringing. “It’s Brayden, I better take this.”
She answered quickly.
“Hey, Bray…Yeah, I fed her…She’s fine in her crate until I get home…I’m still eating with Simon. I’ll be home soon…Love you, too.”
I couldn’t quite put my finger on why it bothered me so much that Myla lied to Brayden about being with me. It was completely understandable—I wouldn’t want my little sister on a kind-of date with a douchebag like me.
She grabbed my hand, sending electricity through my body. “Sorry, I just know Bray would kill me for being here with you.”
I chewed on the side of my cheek. “I get it. I’d be protective too if I had a sister as pretty and sweet as you are.”
The blush that dusted her cheeks was adorable. “You think I’m pretty?”
I stared dead into her eyes. “No.” I paused, waiting for her to respond, but she just looked down at our hands, releasing mine. I pulled her chin to make her look at me with her steely blue eyes. “I think you’re incredible. Beautiful doesn’t even graze the surface of what you are.”
She leaned in and gave me a simple, slow kiss. “Thank you.”
“For being honest? You’re very welcome, love.”
She looked at the time on her phone. “I really should be heading home.”
I wanted to grab her and never let her go. I had never been that drawn to another person in my life, not even my ex-fiancée, and it scared the shit out of me.
