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Sarah snorts. "High compliment, Birdie."
"I know!" I say. "You're so sweet, Rina."
"I told Sarah you're covering Johnny," Jake says in the rearview. "He just got into the off-season; already poking around here looking for work. How did your chat go the other morning?"
I hum, choosing my words carefully. I don't want Jake to think I'm up to something--which, obviously, I'm not--but I'm not sure if he would like that I'm looking for juicy information on the Pucks to share with the paper.
I also don't want to mention to Jake that we had an instant connection...that Johnny was one of the finest men I've ever seen. I really don't want him going into overprotective brother mode when I'm just trying to do my job.
"The interview was good!" I say. "But you know me, Jake. I always want to get more in-depth. I'm hoping to catch Johnny tonight at the wedding and see if he can give me some more details about his future with the team."
Jake nods, but I can see the skepticism in his eyes. He's always been a little overprotective of me, especially when it comes to men. But I can handle myself, and I'm not about to let Jake's concerns get in the way of my job.
Which is why it surprises me when it'sSarahwho speaks up.
"Just be careful," she says. "He has a reputation around here as a heartbreaker. Different girl each summer, then he bails as soon as he goes back to the city."
"Sarah," Jake chides, "he's our friend."
"And he would be the first to admit he's kind of a jerk," Sarah chuckles. "I'm not trying to give you a scoop or anything, but be careful around Johnny."
"Is Uncle Johnny a bad guy?" Carina asks in her small voice.
"No, honey," Sarah says. "He just does some silly things sometimes."
"I know about bad boys," Carina says seriously in that authoritative, goofy way only a toddler can. "My school friend, Bradley, is a bad boy. He does lots of bad things, but he's nice."
"Bradley is a kid," Jake says evenly, as though he's trying not to laugh. "And I'm positive he's a very good boy. And if he's ever bad to you, well...you just tell dad, okay?"
"I'm nice to him," Carina sings, totally ignorant to Jake's word of warning. I can't help but laugh, giving Jake a look that says not to be too overprotective with his kid too.
"Don't worry," I say jokingly to Jake. "I won't be charmed by the bad boy. I can handle myself...and I'm sure Carina here can, too."
"Johnny won't do anything sketchy with you, Bird," Jake says. "I'm going to make sure of it."
"You're sweet," I smile. "Now hurry up with the car. I've got a wedding to attend, a reception to get wasted at, and a hockey player to interview."
We make the rest of the drive in pleasant conversation, laughing at Carina's antics and discussing who's going to be at the wedding. My whole extended family will be there, of course--all my cousins live in town with families of their own--and a lot of Jake and Sarah's friends. Fern Hollow is a tight community, and I can't wait to chat everyone up about their local celebrity.
I really can't wait to talk to Johnny...and maybe get a dance or two.
After all, with Sarah's little warning, I'm thinking that if I want a scoop, I'd better be prepared with a full charm offensive.
Chapter four
Johnny
Weddingsare,withoutadoubt, one of the best places to pick up women.
There's not a single wedding I've gone in the past three years without finding some fine piece of ass to hook up with--especially with all these bachelorettes in Fern Hollow looking for love. Normally, I start scouring the dance floor for the prettiest single girl there as soon as I arrive.
But not tonight.
Because I'm in the wedding party.
I like to think I played no small part in hooking this couple up. Jenny and Finn were made for each other, but it took them a long time to see that they wanted to be together--and one of the last weddings I attended was the night they finally admitted how they felt.
I'm kind of a good luck charm for them.
