Page 6 of A Match Made In Fall

A ballroom dancer? Wow. This just keeps getting better.

“These things happen unfortunately. It’s part of being athletes,” I say. I’m proud of myself for keeping my cool as I talk to her.

“Exactly,” she says.

“That was a great game,” another voice chimes in. “I just started getting into hockey a few years ago.”

“Dane, we’re in the middle of a conversation,” Isabella snaps.

He holds up his hand. “These guys are here to talk about their game and sign autographs, right?”

Oh, he’s asking me. I was still focusing on my conversation with this intriguing woman.

“Yes. And talk to fans.” I add.

“See,” Isabella says smugly. “Please excuse my brother. We’re working on his manners—it’s a lifelong project.”

I chuckle. “No worries, I have two brothers.”

“But do you have any sisters?” Dane asks.

I shake my head. “Nope.”

He holds up his hand to give me five and starts laughing. “I’m kidding. I love my little sis.”

She rolls her eyes. “By the way, it was an exciting game. I’ve never been to a hockey game before tonight.”

“Austin, can we get a photo?” a woman calls, interrupting our conversation.

As much as I want to continue talking to Isabella, I owe the fans my attention.

“Great meeting you,” Dane says.

“And all of you,” I say. “I hope you all come out to more games.”

“We will,” he says.

“Bye, Austin,” Isabella says, holding up her hand.

“Bye, take care of that foot,” I tell her.

She smiles. “I will.”

Other fans begin crowding around as Isabella and her family leave.

Hmm…well hopefully I’ll see them again. It’s always nice to meet new friends.

And I could get used to seeing Isabella around more often.

CHAPTER THREE

ISABELLA

Iopen my eyes and instantly breathe in the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Okay, so this is one of the best things about being back home for a while. Is there anything better than waking up with the coffee already made for you? This is something I will miss when I leave. Not that I don’t love where I live in LA. My roommate and friend, Elise, is the best. We’ve been sharing an apartment for years. She’s an entertainment lawyer and the most brilliant person I’ve ever met. She’s one of those people who never had to study and breezed through getting her education. I’d be terrified to go up against her in a courtroom. Yet, she’s also one of the warmest people and can make friends with everyone she meets. But she doesn’t make me coffee.

I stretch out carefully and shift onto my side, settling back against the pillows. Thankfully, I’m finally sleeping again. After the injury, even something as simple as lying down felt impossible. For the first few days, every position hurt. I spent most nights moving around, exhausted and frustrated, trying to find some angle that didn’t make me wince.

Last night was the first time in a while that I slept deeply enough to wake up feeling rested, even though I didn’t get to bed until later than usual. After the hockey game, my dad insisted we all go to a diner together. My parents have been embracing every second of having the whole family in the same city. Honestly, I can’t blame him. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to spend time all together.