Page 61

“Okay. Then that’s settled.”

When we’re sitting at Heihei hours later, I don’t think Evan’s going to show up. Which is fine.

Still, I sneak a peek at the clock on my phone.

Messages don’t show up on the screen anyway. This way, no one can accidentally catch a glimpse of a compromising message from Evan. Something wild like a heart, for example. I roll my eyes inwardly. He’s turned off notifications too. The risk is too great.

We’re sitting in a secure area guarded by security so that Valentina’s fans can’t get too close to her. Nevertheless, I don’t dare check our chat while bar patrons are nearby. Even if New Yorkers don’t seem very impressed by her today, a casual glance could set off a frenzy.

By this time, the three of us were supposed to be done.

Valentina raises her glass. “I can’t believe I’ll be back in LA soon and won’t be seeing you guys anymore.” She is one of the warmest people I know.

“We’ll miss you, too. But you know where to find us, and I’m looking forward to your new movie.” Ricky toasts her, and we all clink our glasses.

“What’s there to celebrate here?” We all turn to Evan, who suddenly appears next to our table.

“Evan,” Valentina squeals, and with one arm around his neck, she plants a kiss on his cheek.

Yeah, she plays the part of a secret couple convincingly.

He glances at our group with a guilty expression. “I, um . . . I’m not here alone.” He turns around, and sure enough, Blake and Sid follow him.

Oh. Sid’s gaze darts over all of us and lingers on Valentina. His cheeks turn red and his eyes go glassy. Shit. Does the rookie have a crush on Valentina? I do a quick calculation. Valentina is twenty-four, four years younger than Evan. Sid is twenty, if I remember his birthday party correctly. That means Valentina and he have the same age difference as Evan and her. Hmm.

“I couldn’t get rid of Sid,” Evan continues. “And our captain distrusts us so much that he has to check whether I’m telling the truth about where I’m going at eight o’clock in the evening.” He turns to Blake. “I don’t know what you expect me to do? Take part in a drug deal?”

The captain of the New York Monarchs waves his hand dismissively. “You can’t be too careful. And I’m not concerned about you. I’m concerned about this guy.” His hand lands rather unkindly on Sid’s shoulder, rudely pulling him away from his adoration of Valentina.

“Just one drink and I’ll go straight to bed, Captain. Non-alcoholic. You can go home with peace of mind.” Sid tries to act cool. But the simultaneous presence of Blake and Valentina seems to throw the winger off his game. The few times I’ve watched Evan’s games, I didn’t get the impression that Sid could be ruffled by anything. He sees the goal and nothing else until the puck is in the net.

Blake sighs. “Katleen surely wouldn’t mind if I left.” He turns to Valentina, who immediately hugs him.

Evan’s captain laughs. “It’s nice to see you again.”

She squishes him tight. “Same here. Give Katleen my best. And don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Sid.”

Blake smirks and looks at Evan. “I have no doubt about that. Will you guys take responsibility for him, too?”

Valentina’s gaze shifts from Sid to Evan. “Ah. Of course.”

Only now does Blake notices me. “Parker. I didn’t even see you there. How are you?”

“Good, thanks.” He holds out his big hand to me and shakes mine. “This is Carly and Ricky.”

“My friends.” Valentina adds, and I could kiss her. Yeah, she’s been in the business for so long, she knows her way around.

Evan watches the whole interaction from Valentina’s side. I can’t read his expression. It’s the same one he’s worn in public ever since I’ve known him. Like a wall he puts up around himself, I can’t tell if he’s happy, scared, or bored. He’s simply there. Stoic and reserved.

“It’s great to see you all,” Valentina exclaims. “I was just saying how much I’m going to miss you all and New York when filming starts in a few weeks. Until then, I want to see a lot more of you and will attend all your home games.” She beams at Evan, who runs his hand down her back.

The two of them are a dream couple. No wonder everyone took the bait without the two of them even having to say a word.

Carly immediately gets absorbed in a conversation with Blake about the team’s social media presence. Ricky and Valentina are chuckling to themselves, and Sid and Evan are having some kind of technical discussion. The two of them have no other topic of conversation besides hockey.

Surrounded by my friends and witnessing Evan and Blake’s warm friendship, I’m simply enjoying sitting here among them.

I can’t tell if Evan even notices I’m here. The way he manages not to glance my way borders on a miracle. For me, at least. I can’t take my eyes off him.