Page 133 of Double Puck

I stare at him.

There are approximately four thousand ways I could answer that question professionally. I could talk about ice time and development opportunities. The role they're offering him. The fact that Vegas clearly sees value in areas the Bears have spent weeks questioning.

So naturally, that's where my brain goes.

"Well, from a career perspective, you'd probably get more minutes. And if they're genuinely offering you a first-line role, you'd have an opportunity to—"

"Darce." He groans as his forehead drops against the fence. "You brought the analyst."

"You asked what I thought."

"Exactly. I asked what you thought."

"That is what I think."

"No, that's what your laptop thinks." He lifts his head again. "I know what the Bears need. I know what Vegas wants. I know what my brothers think because they've been sharing their opinions with me since approximately birth." His gaze holds mine through the wire. "I'm asking my girlfriend."

Girlfriend?

Has Beck simply decided this is what I am now?

Apparently my heart is far too busy exploding to lodge any form of objection.

"What do you want, Darcy?"

My mouth opens, but nothing useful comes out.

Because nobody asks me questions like that.

My parents ask what the sensible option is. Colin asks what the data supports. Teachers asked what college I was applying to while boyfriends asked whether I'd considered moving closer to their office.

My mother even once asked which of two nearly identical shades of ivory I preferred for a charity luncheon. Before choosing the other one anyway.

But what do I want?

"I don't want you to go."

The words almost get swallowed by the music and somebody announcing half-price churros behind me.

But Beck hears them.

His fingers stop moving against the fence.

"I know that's incredibly selfish." I look down at the padlock between us because suddenly looking at him feels impossible. "Vegas is offering you everything you've been asking for, and after everything you've said about wanting the chance to find out who you are without your brothers, I don't have the right to stand here and tell you not to take it."

"Darcy..."

"But I don't want you to go," I say again, stronger this time. "There. That's what I want."

When I finally look up, something has changed in his face.

"Okay," he says softly.

My heart squeezes. "Okay?"

"Yeah." One corner of his mouth lifts. "Turns out I really like hearing what Darcy Madden wants. We should try this more often."

I laugh, and his smile grows, but only for a second.