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Mel nods her head dramatically. “Noel, the Pancake Palace is Colby’s happy place… his sacred ground. He never takes anyone with him and won’t even tell the guys which location he goes to.”

A funny feeling twists my stomach, but I ignore it. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just some chain.”

“Whatever you say,” Andie says, hiding her smile behind her coffee mug. “So, how was the bungee jumping? Did you go by yourself or tandem?”

“Tandem.”

They gasp again.

“Oh, my gosh. So, you two bungee jumped in each other’s arms? Girl!” Andie squeals.

“I don’t care what you say,” Mel says. “That was a hot date.”

I wave a hand in the air, brushing them off. “I’m interested in a guy I work with. Colby might be every other girl’s type, but he’s no Dúnedain.” They seem confused, they must need to brush up on their Tolkien terminology.

Mel finishes her tea and I stand to get her some more, but she practically shoves me back down to a seated position. “Noel, I remember where the tea is.”

Andie sighs. “It must’ve been fun to be roommates! Noah makes a terrible roommate.” She smirks as if thinking of a memory of her much-younger brother.

“Don’t worry, Andie,” Mel shouts from the small kitchen. “You’ll have a big, broody roommate soon enough.”

Andie grins. “I can’t wait. Two and a half months seems like forever.”

I’m glad Mitch makes her happy. I’ve definitely seen a softer side of the brute since Andie and Noah came into his life, but he still terrifies me a little.

Mel walks back into the living room and takes a seat, steaming cup of tea in hand. “It’s going to fly by!”

A wistful sigh escapes me before I can hold it back. The girls eye me with concern and then look at each other with a subtle grimace.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to talk about the wedding so much. I’m sure it gets annoying,” Andie offers.

“Stop, I love hearing about your wedding! And about Mel’s lingerie. But it does make me want that for myself too, you know? I’m beyond happy for you guys. Sometimes it reminds me I’m nearing thirty and don’t even have a boyfriend.” I offer a small smile and they smile back.

“Tell us about this Dr. Hawthorne,” Mel says, leaning forward in her seat.

Andie does the same. “Ohh, he sounds classy.”

I lean forward too, resting my elbows on my knees and clasping my hands together. “He is. And he’s British.”

CHAPTER 11

COLBY

Sunday, I get together with the guys for a workout in Remy’s home gym. The best part, it’s not a far commute considering I live in the same cul-de-sac. If only West, Mitch, and Bruce would move over here too it would be a whole party.

There’s a large room right behind Remy’s garage that he transformed into a state-of-the-art gym, with all the newest and best gym equipment. Two walls are lined with mirrors, but besides that there’s no decor, or colorful paint. Which matches the rest of Remy’s house. Black and white.

Bruce, Remy, and I have worked out together at least once a week in the off season for years. West joined us when he got traded to the Eagles a little more than a year ago. And it’s just been recently that Mitch started working out with us too. Mitch used to keep to himself completely, only speaking to any of us if he was pissed off. But he’s changed a lot since meeting Andie and going to counseling with the team therapist. Still, he’s grumbling that Andie made him come today. Apparently, she told him it’s good for him to socialize and get a break from her and Noah.

Preseason starts this week. Which means this might be our last home-gym sesh together for a while. With the chaos of our NHL workouts and game schedule.

We’re hitting it hard today. Preseason might be the time for the newbies to shine, but us veteran players need to be honed and ready too.

We’re halfway through our first set of deadlifts when my brain flits back to thoughts of a certain curly-headed blonde. A woman who at first glance is sweet and angelic, but whose bite could rival a cobra. I smile to myself. That woman. “I need your help winning Noel over,” I blurt it out a little too loud and they all stare at me.

West puts his barbell down and studies at me seriously. “I knew this conversation was coming when Mel told me you took her to Pancake Palace.”

“Yeah,” I nod. “It’s serious.”