“But you got over it obviously.” I motion to sleeping Logan.

“I did. It took a while for me to figure out what I wanted. But when it comes down to it, it’s about how Miller is with me. Everyone said the same thing when we started dating: that they’d never seen him like this with anyone else. It was the same way with Randy and Lily, and with my brother and Violet. And that’s how Lance is about you. I know some of the rumors are true, and with Miller, a lot of the rumors were true. But he was worth getting over it for.” She pats Logan’s bottom when he makes a snuffling sound and kisses the top of his head.

She looks so in love, and happy.

“Thanks for sharing that.” I mean it. That I’m being taken in by these women who obviously care about Lance—and have not slept with him—gives me new perspective. The man they’re describing seems like the person I know, and that’s reassuring.

Our seats are amazing. We’re right behind Chicago’s bench, which is currently empty. I’ll be able to see the back of Lance’s head the entire game.

Violet and the other girls all get drinks. Sunshine asks for hot water and produces a tea bag.

“They don’t have herbal here,” she explains.

I want hot chocolate, but I don’t know if it will cause Lance to have an allergic reaction. I definitely want to leave open the option for kissing. Maybe more, depending.

When they announce the teams, butterflies flit around in my stomach and try to flutter their way up my throat. Chicago skates onto the ice, and I immediately search for jersey number twenty-one.

“There he is!” April elbows me in the side a little too hard.

“Ow!”

“Sorry.” She’s bouncy. She’s almost finished her drink, which is either her second or third, depending on how much champagne she had in the limo.

I scan the ice and spot him. He’s halfway around the rink and moving quickly, following right behind number sixty-nine. That’s Randy, Lily’s boyfriend.

As they take the bench, they knock on the glass, waving to the girls. Lance waves absently and takes a seat, his mouth set in a thin line. He’s serious on the ice, from what I’ve witnessed in all my game watching. Randy taps the Plexiglas with his glove, winking at Lily. He scans the rest of the row and does a double take when he sees me. His eyes dart back to Lily with questions in them. She gives him a big grin, which he returns with a shake of his head. But it’s not a bad look.

He knocks Lance on the shoulder and motions to where I’m sitting. Lance cocks his head to the side, looking confused, then does his own double take.

I give him a shy, uncertain wave, because I can’t read his expression. Will he want me here? The smile that spreads across his face makes my heart sprint.

After that I’m high on adrenaline, and it’s an amazing game. The bunnies Violet warned me about are definitely here, but they don’t matter. At least not right now. My focus is exclusively on Lance. He stays out of trouble on the ice, for the most part. He gets one penalty for sticking, but keeps out of the box other than that. Chicago pulls out the win, and the crowd buzzes with positive energy, taking my nerves to the next level along with them.

When the team leaves the ice at the end of the game, heading for the locker room, Lance stops at our row. Violet is at the end, and I’m a few seats in. He says something to Violet, and there’s a bit of back and forth before he motions to me.

April tugs on my arm. “He wants to talk to you.”

I get up unsteadily, feeling his gaze as I make my way down the aisle. His eyes dart over my face and down my body. I feel like I’m being consumed from the look alone.

“You’ll come out with the girls after the game?”

“I can.”

His arms are full of gear. His hair is soaked with sweat. His face is red from exertion. He’s gorgeous.

“And we can talk? If you’re ready.”

“I’m ready. We can talk.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” He hesitates, his eyes darting to my lips like he wants to kiss me. I wouldn’t mind if he did, although the location is highly public. Public is what I’ve been saying I wanted, but I’d like to keep any affection fairly PG considering the number of bunnies in the arena. No need to invite drama if I don’t have to.

Lance must sense my nervousness, because he graces me with another one of his grins, takes my hand in his, and brings my knuckles to his lips. Very PG. The sound he makes is inaudible over the noise, but I feel the hum on my skin. Flashes go off around us.

“Come on, Romance. You’re holding up the team.” A player knocks his shoulder.

His head snaps up, and he gives the guy a dirty look before turning back to me. “I’ll be as quick as I can getting to you.” He clomps off and disappears down the hall toward the locker room.

Most of the girls are buzzed and silly as we make our way out of the arena and back to the limo. Logan is asleep again.

“Does he ever make noise?” I ask Sunshine.

“Only at three in the morning when we’re all supposed to be sleeping peacefully.” She’s smiling, though, and patting his bottom. “Mostly he can sleep through anything; otherwise I wouldn’t have him out. And Miller’s parents are taking him for the afternoon tomorrow, so I’ll be able to make up whatever sleep I miss tonight.” She gives me a wink. “Nap time with Miller is my favorite.”

Lily falls into step beside me. “I thought cookie time was your favorite.”