He laughs. “Sorry. I sorta feel like we’re past that already. Maybe because we hooked up on vacation. Just show me.” He stands in the middle of my kitchen, waiting for me to tell him.

  “The cabinet to the left of the stove. I’m going to finish getting ready.” I head down the hall to finish curling my hair.

  “Not sure I like all the vases you have in here.” I hear him chuckle. “Tell me you collect them and it’s not all from flower deliveries from other men.”

  “I just like vases. Most of the time I’m buying my own flowers.” I say it loud enough for him to hear me down the hall while I curl my hair, smiling into the mirror when I shouldn’t be.

  York called me earlier, and I didn’t even tell her I was going out with Cory because I didn’t want to hear from her how I should act.

  “Not anymore. I can arrange flowers to be delivered weekly for you,” he shouts back. Then I hear the water running.

  I finish getting ready and come back out to the kitchen to find that he’s trimmed each stem and arranged the flowers in a vase in a way that looks professional.

  “Am I missing something?”

  “Like?” He tilts his head.

  “Like, did you consider being a florist in case hockey didn’t work out for you?”

  He laughs and I hate that I love that sound more every day. “My mom likes flowers too. She taught me how to keep them alive longer.” He leans toward me and whispers, “Lemon-lime soda, in case you’re wondering.”

  “Thank you for the tip.”

  “You’re welcome.” He walks around the counter and his eyes eat me up. “You’re gorgeous.”

  I glance down at my sundress with a sweater over top in case it gets cold, even though the weather has been great lately. “Thank you and you…” He’s wearing a pair of khaki pants and a button-down with the sleeves rolled up so some of his ink is showing. “You look very handsome.”

  “Then I think the most stunning couple in Florida should head out so we can be admired.” He offers me his arm, and I slide my arm through his, letting him lead the way.

  He drives us to the marina. When we step out, only one sailboat has its lights lit up. It’s not at all small and I find myself excited to get on board. It seems so romantic.

  Cory takes my hand and I wish it didn’t spark an electric current inside me. Michael never romanced me. I always chalked it up to the fact that we met as poor college kids, but I realize now he could’ve done things on a smaller scale. Cory has the money to romance me with things most men can’t replicate, and I have to remind myself not to let it work. It’s supposed to be the other way around.

  As we approach the sailboat, I see a woman standing there with two champagne glasses. She asks us to take off our shoes since neither of us are wearing proper deck shoes and they don’t want the boat damaged.

  I slip out of my heels and walk onto the wooden deck, with Cory’s help. I accept a champagne glass, walk up the ramp, and come face-to-face with who I assume is the captain. At least there are a lot of stripes on his white uniform. Other members of the crew come and introduce themselves, but the woman who handed us the champagne, Becky, is our server for the evening.

  She escorts us to the top area of the boat—which I’m sure has a name I don’t know. We’re seated at a small table for two with lights that look like candles spread all over.

  After Becky leaves, I whisper, “Cory, this is a lot.”

  “No such thing when it comes to you. Plus, this gives us some privacy, which I know you want.”

  “But—”

  He shakes his head. “You’ve been closed off with me since the Jana thing. I know being involved with me isn’t easy. Especially with Jana wanting us to be public about our relationship. I figure we can change it up for tonight and she’ll be none the wiser.” He winks.

  I don’t say anything. Mostly because Jana’s wishes aren’t the only reason I was upset this week. I’m trying to close off any feelings I’m developing for him and he’s not making it easy.

  “How did you know?” I ask.

  But Becky interrupts us with a shrimp appetizer and rolls. Cory dishes me out some of the appetizer and I pass him the rolls.

  “You think I don’t know you, but I do. The connection I felt with you on that island is still there for me. And I know you well enough to know you don’t like the attention I garner, especially from women.”

  I move my shrimp around my plate because I want to blurt out, “You slept with my sister and god knows how many other women when you were trying to convince me I meant something more to you.” Instead, I say, “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Anything. I’m not bullshitting you. Ask me anything.”

  He seems so eager to let me in. He’s like the opposite of me.

  “The other women… your reputation after our fling.”

  He winces at the word fling, but that’s what it was.

  “Why?”

  He wipes his mouth and leans back in his seat. “I’m not sure I have a perfect answer.”

  “An honest one will do.” I hold his stare.

  “You weren’t answering my calls, so I figured I was exactly that, a fling, to you. I’m embarrassed to say how much that bruised my ego. A few of the guys told me to live it up while I could. I think I got caught up in the mentality and stereotypes of professional athletes and it seemed like a good way to try to get you out of my head. And honestly, the women make it easy.” He shrugs.

  An expression must cross my face that signals that everything he’s saying is my worst nightmare because he’s quick to interject before I can.

  “I was young and stupid.”

  “It wasn’t that long ago,” I deadpan.

  “Yeah, it wasn’t, but it was before you came back into my life. And I know what a cop-out that sounds like, believe me. But I didn’t have you then. Or any other woman in my life, so temptation and persistence won. That wouldn’t happen now.”

  I fork a shrimp and hold it up. “What makes you so sure?”

  “Look at me,” he says, and I stare at him. The purple-and-pink sky behind him makes him seem like a dream. As though this is all a dream. “I wish you could crawl inside me and feel what I feel for you because then you’d have no doubt. I know trust is a big thing for you and I’m trying to earn it, but I need you to loosen the grip just a little. Give me the benefit of the doubt.”

  “How many?” I ask because if he knew I know what I do, he’d know why I can’t give him the benefit of the doubt.

  “Women?”

  “Yeah.”

  He looks chagrined, and I roll my eyes. “I’m gonna be honest. I’ve had regulars in a few cities, but for the most part—”

  I raise my hand. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.” God, what a stupid masochistic question to ask.

  He takes my hand. “They meant nothing. I know that’s a superficial, playboy thing to say, and believe me, my mom would kick my ass to the moon if she heard me say that, but it’s the truth. And none of them wanted me for me. They liked the idea of sleeping with an athlete, bragging to their friends that they got me. I’m like a prize from one of those crane games.”

  I laugh. “You’re honestly comparing those two things?”

  “Have you ever played them? They’re fucking impossible.”

  “I’ve seen five-year-olds win.”

  He chuckles and shakes his head. “Well, I can’t win at them. And look how much people brag when they do win. It’s the same with sleeping with professional athletes.”

  “So you’re like a stuffed rabbit?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “Kind of. Yes.”

  “Interesting concept.”

  Luckily, Becky comes back out and puts a bowl of lobster bisque on our serving plates.

  “I swear to you—”

  I shake my head. “I believe you. I can’t imagine having gorgeous men at my feet, begging me to sleep with them. Maybe I’d have done the same.”

  “I’m sure you have a lot of admirers. You certainly have one desperate man begging at your feet.”

  My cheeks feel like they’re on fire. “Okay, next subject.”

  Throughout dinner, we talk more about him playing hockey. How being an only child probably helped him achieve his goal. His parents didn’t have to allocate money to a sibling’s extracurriculars and he had their undivided attention.

  By the time dessert comes, I laugh when I see Becky bringing out cheesecake. “Did you special order this?”

  He shrugs with a grin. “I love cheesecake.”

  “So the way to your heart is—”

  “Cheesecake. Top ten for sure.” He forks his piece and holds it in front of my mouth. “Do you like it?”

  “Yes.” I open my mouth and he slides the fork in. He watches my lips with rapt attention.

  “Let me feed you the rest of my slice?”

  I laugh. “We’re not one of those cheesy couples.”

  “Then one more piece,” he begs, and I nod.

  I’ve never liked being fed like a child, but the way he looks at me when the fork slides back out of my mouth and my tongue dips out between my lips… maybe I’ve been missing out.

  Becky comes over and tells us that anytime we’re ready, we can retreat to the cushioned booths, that there are some blankets there. Cory finishes his cheesecake and I eat half of mine, offering the rest to Cory, who accepts happily.

  After we’re finished, Cory takes our wine and my hand, leading me to the cushions. We get comfy and he wraps a blanket over my lap. “Are you cold?”

  “Not too bad.”

  He tsks. “Damn, I was hoping you were so I could offer some body heat.”

  I shouldn’t. It’s crossing a line, but I am trying to make him think I’m falling for him. So I open the blanket and his eyes widen before he quickly gets underneath it with me. His arm wraps around my shoulder, and he urges me to lean back on his chest. We stare at the sky and watch the sun descend.

  Music plays—soft country he must’ve requested for me. “Chasing After You” by Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris comes on and I swear his arms tighten around me. I listen to the lyrics and hope he didn’t pick this song because it’s all too much like us. Is that what we’re destined for? Him to chase and me continuing to run? Taking York out of the mix, am I even capable of loving a man in the public eye? It would mean having to hand over so much trust, and I’m not sure I have it in me.

  At some point, we’ll part and I’m sure he’ll find some woman who loves the limelight and is secure in herself. I’m just not her.

  It’s been a few weeks since Ande agreed to start seeing me. For the most part, we don’t see a lot of each other during the week, but she’s agreed to a date every weekend so far, depending on my schedule. I try to think of unique places to take her, but the list is growing shorter. She doesn’t seem too keen on hanging out at one of our houses—probably because we haven’t been physical yet. Which I’m not upset about. I want her to feel comfortable. But if and when she says the word, I’m ready.

  Today we’re going for a group deep-sea fishing excursion that Jana set up. She wants to get shots of some of the Florida Fury couples. But she also invited Kane. Jana will be in attendance too—supposedly to make sure we all behave and that she gets the pictures she wants. Kane is tight lipped whenever Jana’s name comes up, but I swear something is going on between them.

  We’re the last ones to pull up to the marina, and Jana gives me a look like I brought a hooker and not Ande. It’s not my fault. Ande was confused on what to wear and I wasn’t much help since I’ve never been fishing, let alone deep-sea fishing.

  “Jet!” Tweetie shouts. “For having that nickname, you’re not too speedy.”

  Ande raises her hand. “Completely my fault. I wish I would’ve asked what to wear.”

  She’s in jeans, winter boots she probably wore in Salt Lake City, and four layers of shirts from sweatshirt to tank top. In her bag, she has hair ties, sunglasses, a hat, and reading material.

  “Oh, we’re not fishing,” Imogen says and corrals Ande closer to the women. “The men catch our food.”

  “Holy shit, did my feminist sister just say that?” Ford hollers with laughter.

  “I think I need to clean out my ears.” Warner goes along with it, and Imogen gives him the look and runs her hand across her belly like a silent warning. But Warner keeps it up. “I thought I was going to lounge back and you’d be catching our dinner.”

  Imogen shakes her head and drags Ande to the women.

  “I’d like you all to partake. I think there could be some funny pictures,” Jana, always thinking of business, says.

  Everyone heads down the pier, but Jana stays back by me, and I prepare for a lashing.

  “I wanted to tell you, it’s working great. I checked the blogs after your last date. Good job on the music festival, by the way. A lot of pictures were taken, and the puck bunnies are eating it up. They’re loving you two as a couple. It’s really turning that reputation you gave yourself around.”

  I shove my hands in my pockets and nod. “That’s good.”

  Jana isn’t the reason I’m taking Ande places. I’m picking spots I think she’d enjoy and we can have fun together. I hate the stares, the pictures, and the interruptions as much as Ande does, I think. Sometimes I feel as if she’s just waiting for some girl to approach us and tell me she’s pregnant with my baby.

  When we’re alone, that wall of hers gets lowered about halfway. We talk about more intimate things, including our childhoods. She’s even told me a little more about her ex. I’d really like a few minutes alone in a room with that jackass.

  “Now we up the game. In two weeks, you’re on an away game stint. Someone with your money who has a woman he loves wouldn’t leave her behind that long. So, Ande needs to come to at least one away game. I’d prefer her to follow you along to another city though, so I’ve arranged it so that Saige and Tedi will be there as well. They can all do some shopping or something, show how she’s bonding with the other wives and girlfriends.”

  I stop us before we reach the boat. “I’ll mention it to her, but she has her own life, you know. I hate how orchestrated this whole thing is. Makes it seem like we’re participating in something that’s not real. Something dishonest.”

  Jana laughs. “Press and PR are part of being a professional hockey player.” She pats my shoulder.

  “And when will it stop?”

  She shrugs. “Marry the girl.”

  I give her a look that says if Ande and I were getting married, it would not be up for public consumption. “You’re already publicizing the rest of the couples. Why do you need me?”

  She shrugs. “We’re just capitalizing on it because of that blog, but I’ll be honest, Cory, this is new territory for me. I always thought the puck bunnies liked the single guys. If someone had bet me how into real relationships this generation is, I’d probably be dirt poor.” She puts her hand on my forearm and squeezes. “Hang in there. You’re definitely falling for each other. Pictures don’t lie.”

  She gets on the boat, and I catch Ande’s eye and I can tell she wants to know what we were talking about. I shake my head that it’s no big deal and she continues her conversation with the girls.

  The sun is out and intense. Sweat pours down my forehead, through my shirt, and all I want to do is jump in the ocean. We have all our fishing poles in holders, waiting to see a tug on a line so we can try to be the first to snag a fish. Warner and Ford are, of course, taking it to a whole different level of competition.

  “I was this close to bringing the filet mignon from last night’s dinner as bait,” Ford says.

  “Filet mignon isn’t going to bring the fish in.” Warner shakes his head, propping his feet up on the ledge of the boat, reclined as though he doesn’t care. We’ve all abandoned our poles a time or two, but Warner watches his intensely, waiting for some action.

  “You know a watched pot doesn’t boil,” Tweetie says, and we all stare at him. “What? That adage works.”

  “I’m going to check on my girl,” Maksim leaves.

  “Me too.” Aiden joins him.

  “Hey, I wanted to warn you that Drake’s been cleared to play.” Ford looks at me and cringes. “Who knows who Coach will play on the starting line, but I wanted to prepare you. I think he was gonna tell you today anyway.”

  Warner gives me a look filled with pity.

  Kane shrugs as though there’s nothing I can do.

  I knew it was coming. And surprisingly, I’m pretty okay with it. I did my part when I was called up. Hopefully that will mean more opportunities for me in the future.

  “Thanks for letting me know.” I nod.

  “Anytime. Shit, Warner, your line’s moving.” Ford points.

  I chuckle because the line never moved.

  Warner scrambles to get up from the white plastic chair and looks closer at the line, then he turns and narrows his eyes at Ford. “Asshole.”

  Ford laughs and walks away, probably to go find Lena.

  That leaves me alone with Warner and Kane. “You two act like brothers.”

  Warner nods. “Yeah, I guess we were more like brothers than best friends back in the day. Kinda just picked up where we left off.”

  The smile on his face is a nice change from when they hated one another. It made the locker room tense and being on the ice with them sucked. Thankfully I wasn’t on their line, but I saw how frustrated Drake was that they couldn’t play nice together. In truth, the fact that Ford wouldn’t pass the puck to Warner unless he absolutely had to could be some of what’s kept us out of the playoffs. I’m doubtful we’ll make it at this point.

  “Any more thoughts of retiring?” I ask Kane.

  “What?”

  We all look behind us to find Jana.

  Kane blows out a breath. “Don’t get too excited. Nothing’s for sure.”

  “Can I speak to you for a moment?” Jana asks him.

  I mouth sorry as he stands and follows her to the front of the boat. Just then, another boat rushes close to ours. There’s a cameraman on board with a long lens.

  Warner lifts his beer at him.