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He held up his bandaged hand and thumbed in Bandit’s direction. “This guy. An injudicious move on my part.”
She was trying not to smile. “You mean he already bit you and you’re going back in?”
“I’m kind of a sucker for punishment.” Dex took another look at the dog, who was watching this exchange with interest. “I think we both are, right, fella?”
“But you have to be careful. People are depending on you.”
Dex whipped his head around. “What people?”
“The team, silly. And the fans. You’re a great hockey player but it’s not all about you.”
Well, she sure told him.
“Okay, noted. So, what’s your story?”
Her lips curved. “I don’t have a story.”
“Sure you do. Everyone does. Let me guess, shall I?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“You like butterflies and Taylor Swift and Hel—hmm, maybe not Hello Kitty.” He looked down at her brand-new Hello Kitty sneakers. “Those were a gift but you don’t wear them much.”
“How did you know?”
“They have barely any scuffs on the soles, but this design was popular a couple of seasons ago.” He remembered because Harper and Remy’s daughter, Amelie, had received a pair during a birthday party he was invited to.
Willa looked astounded at his Sherlockian insight. “My dad gave them to me because he knows I like manga. He thinks I must like all Japanese stuff.”
“So you wore them today because you were seeing your dad?”
Her shrug was more sad than careless. “I was supposed to, but he had to cancel because of the baby. Emily’s my half-sister and she needs a lot of attention.”
“Babies, the worst.”
That made her giggle.
“There’s a lot of that going around. All my teammates have babies.”
“Are they cute?”
He shrugged. “If you like that sort of thing.”
More giggles that were like sunshine in his chest. “And you don’t?”
“That’s not strictly true. A friend of mine, Tara, has a pretty cute one called Esme.”
“Like in Twilight?”
He threw up both his hands. “That’s what I said! It’s kind of tempting fate to name your kid after a vampire, don’t you think?”
She squinted at him and said very gravely, “But vampires aren’t real.”
“True. But it’s still kind of weird. All I can think of is her imminent bloodlust and baby fangs. When they grow in, of course.”
“You’re kind of weird yourself.” Her tone was one of unmistakable approval.
“Willa.” Ashley stood at the door. “Don’t be bothering Mr. O’Malley.”
