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Now, she’s the one smirking as she looks up from below my chin. “I definitely meant your toes.”

“What can you do with your toes? Does it help you on the ice?” Isaac asks, all eager like a fresh sports journalist right out of college.

“You wouldn’t understand, but Rhode’s pretty flexible,” Nina straight-up deadpans. There’s no barely contained laughter or sly tilt to her lips. That poker face must come in handy during brain surgery.

“I am, actually. I can do the splits,” I whisper, lightly pinching her side for good measure. She gasps. Good. The little fox deserves it for that toe comment. “Goalies are very flexible, but you already know that, don’t you?”

“Oh, I know. Your splits got us into some very interesting positions after the naked yoga class. It’s a good thing I have ten boxes of condoms in my trunk.”

I burst out laughing. She’s entertaining, I’ll give her that. I can’t remember the last time a woman made me laugh this much. I’m not sure what’s going on right now, but Nina feels damn good nestled against my side.

Maybe it’s my dry spell.

I’ve had a lot of women over the years under me, on top of me, straddling me, wrapped around me, but never one tucked against me.

Isaac’s eyes narrow. “Where’d you two even meet?”

Nina and I blurt out, “The naked yoga class.” Our brows shoot up toward our hairlines, and we both give each other an impressed look.

“How interesting.” Isaac stares at us like he’s trying to determine if we’re bluffing. “So, you’re really dating Rhode Tremblay?”

Nina stiffens. “Yes, why are you saying it like that?”

“Because he’s a professional hockey player, and you’re well, you.”

Nina shoots him a glare withering enough to make me shrivel. I have the urge to hit that tone out of his mouth, but we’re playing four away games next week, and that’d mess up my knuckles.

I wrap my arm tighter around her shoulders. “I think the real question is, how did I end up dating Nina because she’s the most amazing woman I’ve met.”

She told me to act like I’m obsessed with her, but after the way she practically saved that boy’s life, I mean every word.

Isaac’s mouth purses like he doesn’t believe me. “Okay, why don’t we all go to dinner? We could double. There’s this sushi restaurant that Gwen’s been wanting to try. I think it’d be a great way to get to know your new… boyfriend.”

“We really don’t need to do that,” Nina interjects, waving a hand. “I’m sure Rhode’s busy being a Wall of Iron—”

“Steel,” I correct.

“Right, that. I’m sure he doesn’t have time, and we both know Gwendolyn would rather shove her hand in a blender than go on a double date with me.”

Isaac faces me, ignoring Nina’s comment, which pisses me off. “What do you say, Tremblay? Want to go out with us? I mean, unless Nina made up this entire situation, and she’s really just your Lyft driver? Which, in that case, I’m sorry she put you through that, but I can’t say I’m all that surprised,” he says like he’s giving me an out. “She can get carried away sometimes.”

“Isaac,” Nina cuts in. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

She pulls out of my grasp to hold herself. That gets to me more than anything. It’s one double date. What’s the harm? If it doesn’t work out, at least I took a chance on a funny doctor.

I don’t believe in karma or all that astrology garbage, but she’s witty, cute, and smart. Good enough for me. My options are dwindling now that everyone’s getting married. The older guys on the team don’t have babies—they have second graders.

“How’s next Thursday work?” Isaac asks. “We can all meet at Nina’s place before we leave because she hates surprises.”

“Isaac,” Nina grits out. “I don’t hate surprises. I just like knowing where we’re going so I can plan ahead and read the menu.”

I glance at the hair whipping around Nina’s pink cheeks. Being a goalie means I watch the puck and wait. I know my angles and make sure to take up as much of the net as possible, but when the puck comes my way, I strike.

“You know what? Sure. Sounds fun.” I press a light kiss to her temple for good measure, and Nina’s body hardens like an ice rink.

Is my mouth that repulsive? It’s been a while since I’ve flirted with a woman, but I don’t think I’ve lost my edge.

Her hazels widen. “That’s sweet of you, but I know you’re busy with the uh, season?”