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My eyes grow wide. He certainly has my attention, and everyone else’s in the stands, especially when he rips his helmet off and we’re looking at each other with nothing but the glass barrier between us.
My heart lurches in my chest, literally. I can’t control the rapid pace at which it’s suddenly beating.
In two seconds flat, he has me unglued.
Susie is saying something to me to my left, but I don’t even hear a word.
I only see Taylor, motioning for me to come down to the ice.
Shit.
“Oh, God,” I murmur.
“Go!” Maddie gives me a push and a giggle, seeing the exchange, which I guess is a little hard to miss.
“He’s found you in a sea full of people,” Susie muses as I fight an internal dilemma for a moment on what I should do.
My feet are moving long before I consciously even realize what’s going on.
It’s like he’s pulling me down to his space with just the look in his eyes.
Does he know how good he looks?
He looks the same in some respects… and different in others.
He’s a lot broader than I remember, maybe even taller as well. His hair is kind of shaggy, and I know for a fact he has tattoos, thanks to a brief rundown from Cindy.
He skates ringside down toward the penalty opening, reaching it well before me, because I’m colliding with elated fans who are getting ready to leave the stadium.
As I reach the front stands near the doors, he yanks them open and looks up at me.
“Taylor,” I gush, eyes wide and breath caught in my throat.
His throat bobs as he swallows, taking me in. “Emmerson,” he says, slowly. Like he’s surprised I’m even here, like he’s trying out my name in case I disappear into a puff of smoke.
Maybe he’s thinking about the last time…
“In the flesh,” I try to joke, because as hot as he looks, and as long as I’ve waited for this moment to come, I didn’t expect it to be like this.
I keep my face composed, regardless of what I’m feeling.
He has sweat dripping down his face… he’s panting slightly and has taken his gloves off while skating over. Looking at me now, he runs a hand through his hair.
I would love to know what he’s thinking right now.
“How are you?” I ask, tilting my head slightly to the side, like adjusting the angle will give me a better look at him. Not that I need one; what’s in front of me now appears a lot more than what I thought I could handle.
He’s insane to look at. No wonder he’s doing freaking underwear commercials….
“I’m doin’ great. A win always helps.” He laughs lightly, and it’s my turn to swallow hard.
I remember that laugh. Standing here now, I remember everything about him.
But I feel shy being here, like I’m exposed somehow. Maybe because there’s that big ‘I left you’ elephant in the room hanging over us, though I’m not stupid enough to bring that up. This is the first time I’ve seen him in so long.
“You were great out there. Outstanding,” I say, like he has probably heard a million times.
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach the God-given beauty in his eyes. “Thanks, Emmerson. I’m glad you could make it. It’s been a long time.”
