But there’s also the fact I had a virtual interview with Power Play for an administrative role in their marketing department this morning, and I haven’t told anyone I was applying for it. It’d be a pay cut, because I wouldn’t get commission anymore, but it’s still a decent salary. But the biggest perk? It’s remote and it’s the same hours Hudson works. Which means if I land this gig… I could move to Minnesotapermanently, and be with Hudson all the time. Which is what I want.
But I’m not sure Hudson wants the same things, which is why we need to talk about us, not just in the official “we’re dating” sense, but in the “where are we going?” sense. He doesn’t seem to worry much, and just goes with the flow. I’m glad that works for him, but it doesn’t work for me. I need that information. I need to know what the plans are for the future.
I don’t know if I want to get married like Austen and Cameron, but I do know I want more than a few days here and there withHudson every couple months. And part of me thinks if Alex can do it—if he can quit hockey, something he loved… then I could do it, too. Quit my job and be with the man I love.
And I do love Hudson.
I just wish he loved me.
It feels like everything is changing, and though it’sgoodchange, it’s still terrifying.
What if I am making a mistake? How do I know I’m doing the right thing?
“There you are!” Mandy’s familiar voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to face her without hesitation.
“Oh my God, Mandy!” I reach out to hug her, pulling her close with a sense of relief. “You’re okay…”
Mandy squeezes me back, her jasmine-vanilla scent invading my lungs. Her breasts squish against my chest.
“Of course, I’m okay,” she says with a giggle, and I can smell the alcohol on her breath.
“You weren’t answering my texts,” I say as I hold her out in front of me, looking her over. She’s dressed in a slinky satin black dress, her blonde hair perfectly curled, her long, thick lashes standing out against her vibrant eyes.
She looks like a damn vintage Hollywood lounge singer or something.
“Because I was busy.” She smirks, glancing over at Alex.
Alex whistles, and it is not missed. Neither is the way he looks her up and down.
“Ah… you must be the fiancée,” Alex says, his voice tinged with mischief.
Time stops, and I open my mouth to speak, but Mandy beats me to it, extending her hand.
The one with her fake engagement ring that she always wears when she does events like this.
“I am! Mandy Carvalli.”
Alex takes her hand and shakes.
“So nice to finally meet you. I bet you’re excited for the wedding.” He raises his eyebrows as he takes another drink.
“Wedding?” she asks, looking at me. “What—” Her eyes widen and all the color’s drained from her face as she looks at something behind me. “Shit, Reid is here,” she whispers.
“Reid?” I look around, trying to follow her sight.
“Stone!” Alex hollers, causing the guy and his teammates—Alex’s former teammates—to look right at us, and I don’t miss the way Reid Stone flashes his gaze at Mandy for the briefest second.
“Stone?” I ask, noting the Rioter walking toward us.
Reid Stone, also known as Vance Harding’s replacement, has been on fire this year. I swear the kid is on track for the big leagues if he keeps up this streak.
“Why are you hiding from Reid Stone?” I ask in a hushed voice, just as Reid and his teammates come up to the lounge we’re in.
“Kelly, you know Stone?” Alex asks as a waitress comes over to clear the loitered table.
My mind flashes back to years ago. A sliver of a memory pushes through of Alex dancing on a table just like this…
And Mack trying to get him to step down.
