Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I look away, my heart slamming into my chest because her words describe how I feel about Dart. I haven’t told my parents about my moving in with him yet, and I know they’re gonna freak out. I’ve only known him a short time, but how can I deny what I am feeling? I dated Denis for ten years, and never once did I want the things I want with Dart. As much as reason tries to play in my head, my heart won’t allow it.
It’s his.
“Did Dart tell you he picked out my wedding dress?”
I shift my gaze back to Angie’s. “No. Really?”
“Yes!” she gushes. “I had four, I think, and I hated them. All of them. Because I didn’t think I looked good enough for Owen. But Dart comes along and picks out the most revealing dress and looks me right in my face and tells me that Owen has never made me feel anything other than wanted, so I should wear what makes me feel beautiful.” Her eyes dust a bit with tears as she holds my gaze. She looks away, opening her phone and showing me a photo of her and Dart at her wedding. That suit looks real good on him, but it looked better on the floor of his hotel room. Angie, though, she is stunning, and the look of pure bliss on her face leaves me gasping.
“Oh Angie, you’re perfect.”
She nods. “I have never felt more beautiful in my life than I did that day, and I owe a lot of it to Dart.”
In awe, I press my hand to my gut. “How incredible.”
Her eyes are intoxicating. “You know, he told me about you that day.”
“What? No way.”
“Yeah,” she insists, leaning into me. “Said it was one of the hardest things he ever did, choosing being my dude of honor over you.”
I wave her off. “There was no choice. Please.”
“For him, there was,” she tells me, and I feel like we’re the only ones here. Her words feed my soul and only make me love Dart more. “I think I knew then he had fallen in love. And believe me, I have watched him fool around for a long time, but he has never spoken about anyone the way he does you.” I press my lips together as I inhale deeply through my nose. “Dart has my heart. Such a good dude, loyal to a fault, and so passionate.”
“Very passionate,” I agree as I look out on the ice, and my eyes instantly fall on him. He and Owen are passing the puck between them like it’s a hacky sack. “I love him greatly.”
“Not surprised.” I feel her looking at me, and I look over to meet her gaze. “Not to sound like an overprotective best friend, but don’t hurt him, okay?”
There is an edge to her voice, and I respect it. “I don’t intend to.”
She nods, her eyes searching mine. “I believe you wholeheartedly, and I know he can feel very scary and impulsive—he is—but from what he told me, you go with it.”
“It’s easy when I want the same things he wants.”
Her lips curve. “Good. It’s hard being a hockey player’s girlfriend, and even a wife,” she says, directing her gaze to where the guys are. I follow her eyes as she continues, “They’re sought out, desirable, and tempted at every turn.”
“I know he’d never step out on me,” I tell her, and she nods.
“Good. But a bit of advice.”
I look back at her.
“Don’t believe a damn thing your brain tells you,” she begs, her eyes holding mine. “Trust him, because he really does love you.”
My heart skips a beat. “Dart must have told you I was nervous about the road trip,” I say, my face burning a bit. “I’ve never dated an athlete before, but I trust him completely.”
“I get it,” she says with a nod. “Space is not ideal when it comes to someone you love, but please don’t ever forget what you just told me.”
“I won’t.”
“It’s easy to say, but being away from Owen physically hurts, and of course, my trauma of being hurt left and right by assholes comes into play a lot. But know you’re not alone, Tennessee. We’ll exchange numbers. We can do things or even just lie around the house.”
“You don’t even know me!” I say, grinning at her.
“We’ll get to know each other, because if Dart adores you, I know I will.” She says it so confidently, just knowing I’ll be worthy of her friendship. But it’s hard to believe her when the women who were supposed to be my sisters basically treated me like dirt.
And they never rode as hard for me as she is.
“I appreciate that.”
“Absolutely. And listen, it sucks being without them, but it only makes the homecoming that much better.”