2. Evan
Evan
Naomi glared at the hotel staff member. “You see the open plug, right?” Her jaw remained clenched. Both the hotel staffer and the bun lady nodded, their eyes just as wide as Evan’s.
“And you see my sister’s shoe is still in it.”
“So who’s filing an incident complaint?” Naomi vibrated with anger. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t do more than file an incident report. Legal action seems appropriate.”
“Er…I’ll get the manager.” The bun lady backed away slowly.
Smart of her because I was sure Naomi was a bomb on a short fuse.
“Enjoy your evening.” Adam smiled and waved at the crowd. Most people went back to their games or their plates of food, while I just wanted to melt into the floor.
“Well, that was too embarrassing for me to overcome,” Mimi said. “I’m going home.”
“Ah, Meems—” Naomi began.
Mimi held up a hand, her sherry-brown eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “You know how I feel about the spotlight. All this. I need to work on my paper. If I’d just done that, then none of this would have happened.”
“I’ll take you home,” I offered. “It’s not like this has been my best introduction into the organization.
” Frustration clawed at my throat because, like Mimi, I hated being the center of attention.
She was both the only bright spot in the evening and the reason it had devolved.
The emotional whiplash caused a pounding headache.
Naomi pursed her lips as she glanced between us. “Fine.” She sounded just like my mother when she was agreeing to something she didn’t entirely approve of. “Straight home. You text me.”
“I will.” Mimi leaned in for a hug. “Thanks for getting me out of trouble. Again.”
“You did nothing wrong,” Naomi said.
“Quick hands, Rookie.” Adam offered his hand to shake. “Thanks for protecting Mimi from a header.” He added a shoulder pat. “See you on the ice on Monday.”
I nodded, hoping the two days would be enough time to overcome my raging emotions. Being a goalie required a cool head. Thankfully, none of my coaches ever realized how jumbled my thoughts were.
Just another reason it felt like I was an imposter pretending to be a professional hockey player.
My spiral was starting, and I needed out of here, fast.
I tipped my head toward Mimi, who shot me a thankful glance. She’d collected her shoes but held them. I didn’t blame her; I wouldn’t want to stick my feet back into something that had wrought such havoc.
“The excitement made me hungry,” Adam said.
“Everything makes you hungry,” Naomi grumbled. “Let’s go get some of those shrimp.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice,” Adam said.
We exited the doors and went out into the central hotel. A harried-looking man in a black suit hurried toward us. “I’m so sorry, miss, about the light socket. I’ll get to the bottom—”
“It’s okay,” Mimi said. “I’m very sorry about the tapestry.”
The manager’s lips twisted as if he were swallowing a whole lemon. “Our mistake.”
Those words cost him. I knew little about silk tapestries, but I got the feeling it would not be easy to clean. Poor dude.
After a few more words, Mimi led the way down the hall to the stairs. I was surprised she didn’t choose the elevator.
Instead, she glided down the steps with speed and grace. Athletic, kind, slightly shy, and gorgeous. This woman was too perfect. If I’d ever put together my ideal woman, she would have been Mimi. Huh, I hadn’t known I had an ideal woman until now.
“I just need the valet to bring around my car.”
Heat suffused my cheeks. Unlike many of my teammates, I didn’t drive a shiny new sports car, and I worried Mimi would judge me on that. When my black 2000 Jeep Wrangler pulled up alongside us, Mimi smiled. My shoulders relaxed.
“It was my dad’s, before he died,” I said.
She glanced over, eyes softening further. “I’m sorry for your loss. My father died when I was a baby. I have nothing from him.” She touched the Jeep’s door. “This is a lovely memento. I’m glad you kept it.”
My chest swelled even as my throat tightened. I opened the door for her before I turned to the valet, fumbling in my pocket until I pulled out a twenty and shoved it into his hand, unsure if that was the correct denomination and too embarrassed to ask.
Gah. I just wanted out of here. I hurried to the driver’s seat and exhaled once I shut the door.
“That was stressful.” Giving in for a moment, I shut my eyes. After two slow breaths, I opened them and glanced over at Mimi. She watched me with a knowing look on her face.
“Naomi won’t get me to another one of those events for years. Maybe ever.”
I chuckled. “Man, I wish I could decline all these invites, too.”
“You could. If you were an asshole. But you’re not, are you, Ev?”
I glanced at her as I pulled into traffic. “I guess not, but somehow I don’t think it’s a compliment to admit my mom would lecture me back into submission with ease.”
Mimi laughed, but sadness lingered in her eyes. There was a story there.
“Where to?” I asked.
We spoke little as I drove her to her place. I parked and insisted on walking her to her door, just as my parents had taught me.
“Why is it so hot in here?” I asked, tugging at my collar.
“Something’s wrong with the compressor. I’m sure it’ll be fixed soon.” She glanced up at me as she unlocked the deadbolt, her expression filled with longing and dosed with embarrassment. “Thanks for a fun night.”
“More like memorable,” I said.
She laughed. Then, much to my delight, she rose on her toes and kissed my cheek. I froze as her soft skin connected with mine. My hands rose to clasp her waist as I inhaled the rich scent of her hair.
She slid away as she opened her apartment door. “Good to meet you, Ev.”
“Not half as good as it was to meet you,” I replied.
I stood, rooted, as she entered her place and shut the door with a soft click. That caused me to blink out of my stupor.
“Shit.”
Turning, I strode down the hallway, wondering how I was ever going to get Mimi out of my thoughts…and never wanting the feel of her soft lips to leave my cheek.