Page 95 of One Night with Number Nineteen

“Some might say that was just smart business,” she says.

“Violet is a matchmaker for hockey players and somehow matched herself to one!”

“Not somehow,” Violet says, her gorgeous face lit up with humor. And love—the love is there and it’s deep and beautiful and complicated and…Vi. “I’m matched up with my own hockey player because he’s somehow stubborn, frustrating, impossible, and—” A grin. “The best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Luna grins and points at Vi. “Now that’s a great answer.”

Vi blows on her nails, buffs them on her shoulder. “I do try.” Then her gaze comes to mine. “Spill it.”

I glance at Kailey.

“Don’t even try it,” she says. “We all know my story—nerdy girl falls for the hot, loud, adorably teddy-bear-like hockey player. Add in a dash of video games, dyslexia, an asshole of a father—” Luna leans over and squeezes her arm. “And a happily-ever-after.” Her face goes soft. “Mostly because my hockey player has the biggest heart around.”

The table goes quiet.

Then Luna sniffs. “Dammit, Kailey,” she whispers, wiping at the corner of her eye.

And she’s not the only one.

Because Smitty does have that big heart.

And because Kailey is happy.

They all are⁠—

Except maybe Veronica.

Who does a great job of pretending to be happy.

But…

I don’t think she is. Not truly.

Mostly because the sadness in her eyes calls to the sadness inside me. Or it used to, anyway.

Because I haven’t been all that sad of late.

Veronica, on the other hand…

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admit. “It hasn’t been that long since Ben and—” I shove my curls out of my face and exhale heavily. “I promised I wouldn’t jump into anything, promised I wouldn’t let myself get attached again. Not when—” I clamp my lips together, shake my head. “I’m terrified,” I whisper. “I really like him. Maybe more than I ever⁠—”

I cut off the flow of words, dropping my gaze down to my hands.

I can’t finish that sentence.

I cannot say that out loud.

Not even here.

I can’t.

“Is there a reason,” Faye says gently, “that you can’t just ride this out? Just go with the flow and see where things take you.”

“That’s what I’ve been doing.” I groan and shove my curls back again. “I keep telling myself it’s nothing serious, that it’s just two people who like hanging out. But he’s so good with Ollie and he’s sweet and thoughtful, and…I’m already too attached to pretend it’s anything remotely casual.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Vi asks.

“Yes.” I tilt my head toward the ceiling. “No. Yes. What if it…”