Page 78 of Home of the Brave

“Hey, I enjoy trying new recipes and giving honest reviews,” Derek lifted his chin. “It's none of my business why anyone else watches.”

“That’s right, babe,” Amelia kissed his cheek. “Be true to yourself.”

Victoria giggled when I handed her phone back. “That’s right, Derek. I’m proud of you for finding another passion.”

“Thank you,” he shot us each a look. “And just for laughing, I won’t be sharing my goods.”

“Please don’t,” Schultz cringed.

“I don’t want any of your goods,” Hartman agreed.

Luckily for Derek, our food arrived, and the topic of conversation moved away from him. I stayed quiet, enjoying the flow of my friends talking with the woman I’d grown to feel something more than friendship for.

She fit in so well, making them laugh, listening intently, and opening up more than I expected. It was probably the first time I’d ever felt this comfortable with someone new around my chosen family. I didn’t have the urge to jump in and explain her, or them. She got it. Not just the hockey side, but the way we flowed together.

Sure, we teased, but we never pushed too hard. We didn’t cross lines.

By the end of the night, we’d all be following Derek’s account and finding ways to discreetly promote it.

I loved that she could handle herself with so many personalities. She didn’t shut down or overcompensate.

She wasn’t my girlfriend, but I could picture this. . . more shared meals and laughter. . . happening again and again.

I could see us together.

That wasn’t something I’d felt before.

Dating wasn’t a priority, but getting this small taste of what it could be like, having her by my side, I knew I'd want more.

“I wish we could go out and do something else, but we’ve got to get back,” Hartman explained after he led us out of the restaurant. “No late nights,” he said directly to me.

“Yes, you have to all rest up so you can win tomorrow,” Cambrie cheered.

“Go Stars!” Madi threw her fist in the air. “You guys should sit with us!”

“Oh we can’t,” Victoria began. “We have to stay in the press area.”

“I can’t get the footage I need,” Cambrie added.

“Duh, right,” Madi shook her head. “We’ll see you after then?”

“Sure.” Victoria gave her and the other women a hug before stopping back at me. Fortunately, the others were talking, giving us a second of partial privacy.

“Thanks for coming out with us tonight. I had a good time.”

“Me too,” she grinned. “You’ve got some pretty great friends.”

I nodded. “I’m lucky.”

She hesitated before quickly wrapping her arms around my torso and giving me the fastest hug before stepping back. I didn’t even have a chance to react. “Good luck. I’ll see you after the game.”

She backed up, but I held out my hand. “Victoria.”

She stared at it, then up at me, “Yeah?”

“What was that?”

Her shoulders dropped. “I don’t really know.” She glanced over at the others who were doing a horrible job of pretending like they weren’t watching us.