Page 33 of Goalie Secrets

It’s no secret that I am socially inept. Most people only put up with me because Ashley has always been a friend magnet who never leaves me out.

Now that I’m in Columbus, there’s no one to pull me away from work. I spend most of my nights at home because I’m either too tired or too hesitant to put myself out there. And then there’s the goalie across the street who takes up all my energy because I’m tryingnotto think of him. The comfort of Ashley’s visit, and the distraction it offers, comes at a perfect time.

When I lead her into my temporary home, I’m a little embarrassed that I didn’t put any effort in personalizing my surroundings. I might as well have been here for a week insteadof a few months.

But instead of noticing, exclaims. ““I booked both of us!”

“Huh?”

“The boudoir shoot! I booked us for while I’m here!”

“You’re kidding.” My eyes shift side to side like I’m looking for an escape. An escape from my houseguest who is standing in the middle of the living room. Not likely.

“It’ll be fun! You won’t be doing it alone. This will be part of my Christmas gift to Paul. Win-win-win!”

“Ummm, I can’t. I haven’t picked out any lingerie yet. But I’ll take you to the shoot, obviously.”

“Did I mention I haven’t picked out my lingerie either? We’re doing that tomorrow. So, what’s up for tonight?”

And just like that, we move on. This is what it’s like to have the most extroverted person in the world as your best friend. Years of her getting me out of my comfort zone.

Like I always do, I go along with Ashley’s whim. I wasn’t going to sign up for the boudoir photos any time soon, which is probably why she’s using the visit to prod me along.

Am I a bit relieved that I don’t have to call for myself? Sure. It’s definitely better than lying to her about using the gift when I don’t even know where to start. Besides, I can’t deny that Ashley’s spontaneity has created some notable adventures in my life.

“Well, tonight we have a few choices. There’s a nice sushi place that everyone is raving about. Or there’s a dinner we’re invited to.”

“I just came from the coast, Vanya. Not sure I’d put a lot of stock on sushi in Ohio. Where’s the dinner?”

“Across the street,” I blurt. “Anyway, let me show you to the guest room. It isn’t huge but—”

“Across the street? Jeremy Lopez’s house across the street?” Her high-pitched voice threatens to break glass, but that doesn’tstop Ashley from continuing. “Your goaltender patient with EDS—who also happens to be a sexy hockey player who loves getting under your skin—is making us dinner?”

“Yes to the dinner. Everything else you said can neither be confirmed nor denied,” I answer stubbornly.

“You forgot I’m a mind reader, Vanya. Not that your flustered speech every time I bring him up isn’t an indication, but your red face confirms what I’ve known for a while. You’re into this guy, aren’t you?”

“He’s my patient!”

“He’s your hot neighbor.”

“And my research subject!”

“There are many ways to research Jeremy Lopez,” she states with wiggling brows.

I sigh because that’s the other thing about Ashley. She picks up on all my cues. Imagine if she knew what happened in the basement!

“What are you not telling me?”

See?It’s uncanny.

“Um, dinner. Sure, let’s have dinner with—”

“Something happened between the two of you.”

“Ashley, stop. Here, I’ll help you unpack.”

“Tell me! Oh my god, you have to tell me. Did he make a move on you in your office?”