“I expected waking up to room service at least. After last night.” Jessica props herself up on one elbow, still smiling. “Maybe a mimosa. A little post-sex praise brunch.”
“Spoiled.”
“I deserve it.” She shrugs.
“Get dressed.”
“Why?” Her brows lift.
“Because what I’ve got for you is better than room service.”
“What is it?” She eyes me, suspicious and intrigued.
“You’ll see,” I say, rising to my feet again. “Put on something comfortable.”
I cut the engine and lean back in my seat, my fingers still resting on the wheel as silence settles around us. I glance over at Jessica. She’s chewing the inside of her cheek while she thinks—that tiny habit I’ve started noticing like a marker on a map.
“Let’s just go,” I say, voice low.
She raises a brow but still unbuckles her seatbelt with a dramatic flourish and steps out. I follow her toward the entrance, fighting a smile the whole time.
She blinks up at the building and stops in her tracks. “Wait,” she says, squinting at the sign. “Is this…?”
“An ice rink,” I confirm, already opening the door.
“You’re taking me skating?” she asks, stunned.
I hold the door and nod. “That’s the plan.”
“You’ve seen me skate.”
“Unfortunately,” I answer, and guide her inside.
She studies the place. “Private rink. Middle of the day. Hockey captain and his PR girlfriend. Sounds like Tinnie planned this. Where’s the press?”
“No press,” I say. “No cameras.”
Her brows lift in surprise just before I open the second door. The staff spot us and light up.
“Captain Moreal!” one of them blurts.
Here we go.
“Good morning,” I say simply.
They scramble out from behind the counter. “You were insane last night,” the taller one says. “That breakaway in the third? You made that goal look easy!”
“Such an honor to have you here,” the other adds, already pulling out his phone. “Could we maybe grab a photo real quick? Just one?”
Jessica smiles and steps away, giving them space. “Sure.” I nod and pose with the handful of staff, half-smiling while she watches.
After a few flashes, they wave us toward the benches. “Skates are over here. You’ve got the whole place to yourselves for the next hour. Just yell if you need anything.”
We head that way with Jessica still grinning.
“What?” I mutter.
“Nothing,” she says sweetly.
