Page 71 of Three Hockey Hotties

Some of the tension eases out of all of us and Kane gives her what seems to be an actual, genuine grin.

“Hell yes, we’re having ice cream sundaes,” he tells her. He touches her nose with his. “With extra strawberry sauce.”

CHAPTER 15

ABBY

Benjamin is tapping in the code on the keypad to my new apartment when the door across the hall swings open, and I hear a familiar voice say, “Is this the life or what?”

I whirl around to find Magda standing in the doorway.

I give her a huge grin, then look up at Benjamin. “She’s right across the hall?”

He smiles. “Of course.”

He did exactly as he promised.

It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I told the guys I wanted my own place instead of moving in with them, and here we are at my new apartment, with my one suitcase. Benjamin said, “Don’t worry about a thing,” when I asked about furniture, dishes, and things.

So I haven’t.

I trust him. He’ll take care of everything and…I’m okay with it. Strangely.

The building is gorgeous, and I know it is far beyond anything I can afford. But I understand this is important to Benjamin. He’s going to pay the difference between what this apartment costs and what I paid for my last one, and somehow it almost feels as if I’m taking care of him to let him do this.

I trust that he can afford it. So I’m going to let him. And we’ll figure everything out as we go along.

Magda and I meet in the middle of the hallway for a quick hug. She’s not an overly demonstrative person so I appreciate even the small squeeze I get.

When I pull back, I note that she has no curlers in her hair and is wearing a pair of jeans and a thick turtleneck sweater that I’ve never seen before.

She’s got her pack of cigarettes and a lighter clutched in one hand.

“Are you on your way out?” I ask her. The woman never goes anywhere.

“Heading up to the roof. I’m not going to smoke in here,” she says, jabbing a thumb over her shoulder at her apartment. “It’s way too nice.”

“The roof?” I look up at Benjamin, but he simply shrugs.

“Oh yeah. There are chairs and couches, plants, grills, and fire pits. I’ve met a bunch of people. They don’t all smoke, but a lot hang out up there. There’s even a pool that’s open when it’s nice. I might get a bikini.” She cackles at the thought. She turns and shuts her apartment door. “Just kidding. Wouldn’t want to start a riot.” She winks at Benjamin, then starts toward the elevators. “Gotta go up. Fred’s waiting for me.”

Wow. I’ve never seen Magda so…perky.

Well, except when she was plotting to eat the entire room service menu at the hotel the other night.

“Who’s Fred?” I ask.

She shoots me a grin over her shoulder. “Hot widower who lives on the seventh floor. He’s too young for me, but I’ve decided I don’t give a shit. If he’s devastated when I croak before him, that's his problem.”

“You’ve already got a boyfriend?” I ask, blinking at her.

She laughs. “Look who’s talking. You got three in one day!”

I open my mouth to protest but then realize I have no argument. Instead, I say, “I thought you were done with men forever.”

The elevator arrives, the door swishing open, and Magda steps inside. “Well, it turns out when the right one comes along, everything you thought you believed can change.” She looks from me to Benjamin, then back to me and gives me a smile. “Can’t imagine dealing with that times three. You’re pretty much screwed.”

The doors slide shut before I can respond to that.