Page 121 of The Casanova Complex

But today is about her. Not me.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, baby,” I whisper to Merritt, watching her face light up as a soft, proud smile pulls at her pink, pillowy lips.

“Thank you.” Reaching over, she curves her palm along my jaw, sweeping her finger tenderly along the edge. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

I scoff. “You would’ve done it no matter what, Merritt. I’m just grateful to be a part of your life, to get to witness your brilliance.”

I just hope she gets to see mine too and that I can make her a fraction of how proud she makes me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

MERRITT

I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but I think I actually like hockey now.

A lot.

It’s exciting and explosive, and my adrenaline is pounding.

Obviously, the main reason being that my boyfriend is the goalie. And seeing him in his element, blocking pucks that are speeding at him so quickly I can barely even track it, moving with power and grace that I can’t truly even fathom, is incredible.

And my God… it is so hot.

I can’t wait until we’re home and I can show him just how hot he is out there right now.

It certainly doesn’t hurt my newfound love for the sport.

But now that I’m starting to kind of understand it more, how it’s played, how they score and what certain things mean… it’s actually kind of addicting.

Bennett blocks another goal, and I shoot up from my seat, my arms flying into the air as I scream.

Hell yes!

I swear he must hear me even over the sound of the crowd going crazy around us because he looks back, and even though I can’t see it beneath the mask he’s wearing, I just know he’s got that grin that I love so much.

He lifts his stick in the air, and I giggle, blowing him a kiss.

When I flop back down in the seat, my heart is racing wildly with adrenaline.

Like holy shit, that was my fucking man who just made that play.

“Are they called plays in hockey?” I ask.

Not only am I at Bennett’s game tonight, sitting front row behind where he’s playing the net, but I’m also wearing his jersey for the first time.

Something I know he’s going to lose his mind over.

I also got to meet all of his friends for the first time tonight.

I mean, of course, I’ve already met Zach and Tyler because they’re his best friends and live with him, obviously.

And even though he’s talked about Maisie and Lennon over the last few months, tonight is the first time we’re meeting.

Maisie is apparently dating Bennett’s old assistant coach for the Hellcats, Wilder Hawthorne, and that information was slightly scandalous to hear. I want to know all about it. And Lennon is dating Saint Devereaux, another of Bennett’s best friends and the guy Bennett has literal heart eyes for.

They’re all here tonight.

Maisie, Wilder, Lennon, and Saint.