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"Tall," she begins, eyes widening. "Sandy-brown hair, with a light curl at the ends and is a little too long so he can pull into a man-bun. Strong jaw with a little bit of scruff and a sexy mouth and full lips, made for kissing. A scar on his right cheek that gives an extra rugged look. Broad shoulders and big arms that make me feel small—like he might pick me up and carry me off like a caveman. Warm brown eyes, like maple syrup, and a nice suit with a purple tie."
Holly and I stare at each other, mouths slightly agape. "That's oddly specific," Holly says, slowly tilting her head to one side as if she's cataloging those details and thinking what I am thinking. Riley's description is ridiculously specific and sounds an awful lot like—
"Ozzy," I squeal, shooting up from my seat and running to meet my brother, standing in my office doorway. I throw my arms around him, giving him a big hug. "Aren't you guys supposed to be at your pre-game skate?"
"Nah, been there, done that," Ozzy smiles, leaning back to take a good look at me. "You look different."
"No, I don't."
"She and Ryan are back together," Holly cheers as she runs over to join our hug-fest. "She's got her sex glow on."
"Whoa, slow your roll, Holly. TMI." Ozzy grimaces, jokingly making the sign of the cross on his chest.
I shoot Holly a look and then laugh, playfully punching Ozzy on the shoulder. And that's when I notice his fashionable game-day suit andpurpletie. My eyes shoot to Riley at the same time Ozzy's do. When his eyes meet hers, a blush stains her cheeks as she clumsily rearranges her file folders on my desk.
"Ozzy, this is Toronto's hottest teacher, Riley Winters," I say, making introductions. "Riley, this is my brother, Ozzy Decker. He's in town tonight to play our guys."
"Your brother?" Riley half squeaks, half groans, as Holly bursts out laughing. I'm trying to keep it together, but it's hard. I want to roast Riley like a little pig and bathe in it, but I somehow manage to keep my gleeful and maniacal laughter at bay.
"Nice tie," Holly chokes out, eyes twitching. She's going to lose it. "It's very purple."
Ozzy ignores Holly and shoots his hand out to meet Riley's, taking it in his much larger one. He gives it a firm shake and then pulls her in for a hug.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Riley, or should I call you Ms. Winters?" he purrs, and I swear to god, he tries to sniff her hair discreetly, but I know his moves. I'm his sister, and nothing gets past a little sister. "Avery, why you didn't tell me you had such beautiful women for acquaintances?"
I roll my eyes, ignoring his question.
"Where's Ollie?"
"He's missing out," Ozzy smiles again at Riley, who's flustered as fuck. Well, we found her type.
Before any more flirting can happen, Spenser knocks on our door, holding a long black box with a bow. He stops dead at the threshold, giving Ozzy the most obvious once-over I've ever seen in my life and then follows it up with a lecherous smirk. Clearly, more than one person in this office appreciates a hockey player's physique.
"Excuse me, Ms. Avery," he says, handing me the box without looking at me. His eyes are glued to Ozzy, and I'm pretty sure he's mentally undressing my brother.Gawd, this is why Ollie and Ozzy have inflated egos. "A delivery guy just dropped this off for you. It looks like you have a secret admirer."
"Not sure I'd call Ryan a secret." Holly rolls her eyes and laughs.
I take the box back to my desk with a knowing smile. Ryan really shouldn't have sent me anything. I can't help but grin as I sit down, wondering what's inside the box. A long black satin ribbon is tied to it, and I pull it before lifting the lid.
Holly must see my shocked look because she jets over to me as a small, startled gasp escapes my lips.
"What the fuck?" Ozzy says, eyes thunderous, as he looks inside the box.
"Don't touch anything," I say, my eyes never leaving the single long-stem black rose. The stem is snapped at the neck, and there's a small post-it-sized card beside it with one word scrawled across it in deceptively beautiful, cursive writing.
BITCH.
"Who the fuck would send you that?" Ozzy asks, crowding me as if standing closer in an overprotective manner will make the threatening delivery less menacing.
I shoot Holly a look. When our eyes meet, I know we both think the same thing.
Randy Johnson.
Neither of us says anything as I leave the box on my desk, trying my best to leave it undisturbed.
"Riley, would you mind taking my brother out of here?" I ask calmly.
"No fucking way. What the fuck is going on here? Why would someone send you that?"
