Page 153 of Lucky Mother Pucker

My gaze follows Leo as he crosses the ice at neck-breaking speed. Nick has the puck and passes it to Blake. Leo pushes through the Richmond players posted up by the goal, interrupting whatever defense strategy they’re trying to employ.

Blake takes a shot, but it bounces off the goalie’s pad and goes flying. Nick scrambles to grab it again. He doesn’t have a clear shot—the net is too crowded.

But Leo shifts over to the side slightly, behind a Richmond player. Nick hits the puck to him, and Leo smacks it into the net.

I’m on my feet cheering with the rest of the Hollis U fans.

Leo celebrates with his teammates before looking up. He finds me in the stands and winks. My tummy tumbles as I bite back a smile. Exchanging cute looks with Leo while he’s on the ice is my favorite part of watching him play.

Maybe next game, I’ll wear his jersey.

I think about the look on his face when he sees me…how surprised he’d be. And maybe a little turned on too…

Or maybe he’d be weirded out because wearing his jersey is a decidedly girlfriend move, and I’m not his girlfriend.

I try to ignore the disappointed feeling that swoops through me and refocus on the game.

In the third period, Blake and Nick both score goals, winning the game for Hollis.

We head out of the stands and make plans to eat dinner at the diner with the guys. We’re weaving our way through the crowd when my phone buzzes with a text.

Leo: Hey. Can you hang back for a sec? I wanna ask you something.

Me: Sure thing, meet you outside the locker room.

I tell Anna, Poppy, and Briar that I’ll catch up with them at the diner, then head over to find Leo.

He walks out of the dressing room still in his jersey and pads. His dark hair is wet with sweat and plastered over his forehead. A red flush paints his cheeks.

My breath lodges in my throat. He looks so ruggedly hot.

He flashes a sexy smile. “Hey. Sorry, I’m pretty sweaty and gross.”

“You’re not. You look really hot after a game.”

His grin widens. “You think so?”

“Absolutely.”

I tiptoe up to kiss him, but I still can’t reach him. He’s more than a foot taller than me barefoot, but in skates, I’d have to climb him like a tree just to get to his mouth.

The thought makes my thighs quiver. That actually sounds pretty fun…

He leans down and presses a sweet kiss to my mouth.

“So what did you want to ask me?” I say when we break apart.

He clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck like he’s nervous. “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”

“Hanging out with Wally at the house, watching the parade, and making myself an epic turkey sandwich.”

I spent last Thanksgiving in my car, so I’m excited to be in an actual house this time.

“Um, would you maybe want to spend Thanksgiving with me?” Leo asks.

“Really? You want to do that?”

“Of course I do.” He scoops my hand in his. “My family has a big gathering every Thanksgiving at my mom’s house. I’d really like you to be there.”