“Of course I do.”
“Did you come to watch me play tonight?” I lean my shoulder on the wall, tilting my head to teasingly ask, “You stalking me, gorgeous?”
Alia scoffs, sputtering, “No. No! Oh my god, no.”
The vehement dismissal feels like overkill. If she knew I hadn’t stopped wondering about her, she’d be less self-conscious.
“Why’d you ditch me last week?”
The words come out in a rush and I cringe internally.Smooth, Finnigan. Real smooth.
She blinks, surprised by my directness. White teeth tamp down on her lush lower lip and it’s all I can do to not reach up and soothe the bite. Or ask if I can bite her instead. Damn, celibacy is making me weak. I’m already turned on.
“My cousin was there to pick me up and I had to leave.”
Something about the way she doesn’t meet my eyes tells me there is more to the story, but I’m focused on getting her number before delving into any of that. If this works out, I’ll get her to spill her guts over a cozy meal at my favorite restaurant. I hope she likes pasta.
“You should’ve stayed,” I cluck. “Maybe the night would have turned out differently for the both of us.”
“Guess we’ll never know,” she says softly, shrugging as though there won’t be another opportunity for us.
“How about tonight?”
DuPont’s comment about running after a girl rings in my ears and, for once, I’m intrigued enough that I think I won’t mind the chase.
“I have plans.”
“Plans involving dinner with a handsome hockey player?” I keep my tone light enough to come across cheeky instead of egotistical. A smile blossoms on her face and I stand a little taller.
“Funnily enough,” she chuckles, “yes.”
“Excellent. Tell me where to pick you up, Tots.”
“I, uh.” She hesitates, her gaze darting about. “I meant adifferenthockey player. That’s who I’m waiting for.”
Excuse me?
“Who the. . .”
“Aloo!”
I barely turn before Moore walks past me, grabbing Alia in a hug far too familiar for my comfort. My fist tightens over my phone and I resist the urge to break them apart.
I have no claim over this woman. None whatsoever. Still, watching her face light up as she lets Rohan publicly maul her is like getting punched in the throat. An acrid taste fills my mouth, one I hate to admit borders on jealousy.
I don’tgetjealous. There are more than enough ladies to go around. Usually, if some other guy wants the attention of a woman I’m interested in, I step away.
This time, my feet are rooted into the goddamn concrete.
I’ve always liked Rohan. I count him as a good friend. Right now though, I want to shove him up against the boards without reason. Tots gazing at him like he’s the best fucking thing since the invention of pucks has me gnashing my teeth.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Rohan says, smiling more than I’ve ever seen the grump do.
“I just got here. Missed the game though,” she replies.
“All good. We won.” When he notices me, his expression grows confused. “What’re you doing here?”
I don’t reply, still trying and failing to ignore his arm around her shoulders. My sight drifts to Alia.