Page 98 of Put a Rink on It

She ignores my staring, and I appreciate how she’s letting me off the hook, ogling her like she’s the meat. I take a healthy bite, the pepper and rosemary flavors tantalizing my palate. For a home-cooked steak, she’s right. It’s divine. I take two more bites before admitting it to her. “Is this steak reserved for dates? Because this should be on weekly rotation.”

“So should date night, so it works out.”

“Excellent idea. Might not be the same night of the week. I’m not always free on Wednesday nights.”

Marina’s fork stops midway to her mouth. “Since when am I the woman who seems like she’s routine-based?” She waves her hand over the table and between us. “Nothing about us is routine or traditional. Let’s not start now. That’s why we work.”

“And why we’re getting married. What date did you have in mind?”

She chews and swallows. When did her neck get sexier? “The last Saturday in June. It’ll be a tight window, but if we’re doing this, we’ll make it work. It doesn’t have to be a big wedding. My family, yours, friends, teammates. Seems a waste of money to go all out.” Resignation lurks in her tone. While it’s the truth, I can’t let her think I won’t give her whatever she wants, no matter the cost. If she wants something big, she can have it.

What if she wants to save the specialness for her real wedding? That damn voice returns.

I don’t let it dampen the mood.

“I’m happy with whatever you choose. Which isn’t me saying I don’t want to help, but supporting you and letting you take the wheel. Long as it’s you at the end of the aisle, I’ll be happy."

She pats my thigh. “I shouldn’t get used to your spoiling, but while I have it, I’m gonna take advantage of it. If that makes me wrong, I don’t care.”

I scoop her hand in mine, and our gazes lock. “Let me spoil you, Marina. In every way you’ll allow it. For however long you’ll allow me.”

“It should be illegal for you to be this romantically sappy. Because of your profession and our current situation.” Her eyes blink, and with closer scrutiny, moisture gathers in the corners. “But don’t stop, k? Let me soak up the full Nero Champion experience a little longer.”

“You’re my captain,” I spout, the duality of it being the truth and a lie not lost on me.

CHAPTER 31

marina

Aweek later, I can’t get our “date” out of my mind. It brings a smile to my face but sadness to my heart.

Nero rolled with all my plans for the night—dinner, wine, and watching the 1980s “miracle” game. I scoured the internet for the real game, but came up empty, so we had to settle for the movie version. And then we recreated the last night at my place, but with more fire and flames. Figuratively and literally.

This isn’t real. Despite how much it feels that way, it’s not. We’re playing pretend, dressing up like a couple in love who are getting married and starting their life, not two people who know the countdown to a breakup is inevitable.

A final buzzer to end the game with a loss.

What if my soulmate doesn’t live up to Nero’s stamina? What if our chemistry isn’t off the charts like between Nero and me? What if Nero will always be the best I’ll ever have, even if I don’t love him for real?

A pair of fingers snaps in my face. “Earth to Marina. Let’s focus here. We don’t have all day.”

I blink to the present, Juliet’s miffed expression staring at me. “This is literally the only thing on my agenda today,” I counter.

“But not at this store. This is only stop one. We’re limited on time here.”

“We don’t have any appointments after you,” the attendant says, handing us each a glass of champagne.

“Good to know.” I eye Juliet, cutting off whatever flippant remark is ready to explode from her mouth. I down half of the small glass. “Okay, I’m ready. Show me what you’ve got.”

It’s wedding dress shopping day. Ma and Tate are here, too. As excited as I am to try on dresses for my potential wedding, I’m also torn up inside. Something’s off, something I can’t put my finger on. More than the enormity of what I’m doing—shopping for an elegant dress for a marriage that means nothing.

Or maybe that’s all it is. It’s a big enough reason to not feel into it, even though Nero is supportive and encouraging of whatever I want the wedding to be. Including an unlimited budget for a dress.

I’d feel guiltier if I knew he didn’t make millions of dollars every year and could afford a freaking castle if that’s what I wanted.

Ooh, a castle. Maybe I do.

Focus, Marina, my inner bitch screams.