The Sweet Talker (Boston Hawks Hockey #1) - Gina Azzi Page 0,46

if I’ve offended her. I lean forward and touch her wrist but before I can say anything, she says, “I know what you mean. The only other time I tried casual, the guy, Chris, had all of these other ideas and assumptions and it sort of ruined our time together.”

Well, that sours my mood. “Chris?” I ask, wondering who the hell he is.

She wrinkles her nose and nods. “It was right before I moved here. It was stupid; we knew it wouldn’t amount to anything. My best friend found the whole thing highly entertaining, especially after Chris insinuated he would visit Boston.” She rolls her eyes.

I swallow, sliding my hand back across the table. Of course Indy dated and had relationships, serious and not. Six months ago, I was going to walk down the damn aisle. Still, it stings to think of her with other men. In fact, it bothers me more than thinking of Courtney with her lawyer husband.

That realization is unsettling and I sit back in my chair, the weight of the morning coming down on my shoulders. What the hell is going on?

The server appears to take our order and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Indy orders French toast, I ask for whole grain pancakes, and we both pick up our coffee mugs.

I glance at Indy over the rim of my mug. Her green eyes are bright and glittery. She stares back with a coy smile playing over her lips.

When I place down my coffee mug, she laughs and I lean forward again, desperate to know whatever is going on in her head.

“Noah,” she says.

I nod.

She gestures between us. “I know we don’t normally do this type of thing.”

I frown. “Eat?”

She rolls her eyes. “Morning-after breakfast.”

I bite my tongue, both wanting and not wanting to know what she’s going to say because somehow, I feel like it’s going to change things. And I’m not sure if I want things to change or stay exactly how they are. I mean, they’re good, right? I clear my throat. “I promised to show you the other side of Boston.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “Is this it?” She glances around the quiet restaurant, a far cry from the bustling brunch scene over in Back Bay.

Still, her expression breaks some of the ice forming in my chest and I let out a chuckle. Placing my palms up, I tip my head in acknowledgement. “All right, Little Indy, you got me. This wasn’t my best show of Boston’s brunch scene.”

She snorts, leaning closer until the table cuts into her chest. The soft swell of her breasts push up underneath her sweater and I remember the way they fit so perfectly in my hands last night.

I drag my gaze back up to her eyes. Indy shoots me an amused look but her eyes flare with heat and I realize why I don’t do morning brunch with Indy. She’s too goddamn tempting.

Our server drops off our breakfast dishes and Indy’s face lights up like a little kid at Christmas. She cuts into her French toast, moaning appreciatively. I stare at her.

How the hell did this happen? Of course I knew from the moment I saw her again that I was drawn to her. I can admit that she’s gorgeous, intelligent, quick, and funny.

After Courtney, I never expected to feel so much for another woman in such a short amount of time. If I’m being honest with myself, things with Indy are completely different than they were with Courtney. In some ways, I already feel more for Indy, want more with her.

How long can we keep doing this delicate dance before one of us gets hurt?

I told Indy to be straight with me but here I am, watching her eat French toast like she’s a marvel of the modern world. Who’s the one not being straight now?

I don’t date hockey players.

For the first time since Indy dropped that detail, it bothers me. I used to think those were the greatest words she could have told me.

Now, I really wish she’d amend them and tell me something else entirely.

19

Indy

“You look exhausted,” Claire comments as I unwind my scarf from around my neck.

I groan, hanging my coat in the hall closet. “I am. I’ve been fighting a sore throat and sinuses.” I throw my hand in the air. “I always get like this during midterms. I just started a Z-pack.” Claire shoots me a sympathetic look and I force a smile. “But I do love this time