Page 23 of Hockey Halloween

Val

Avoiding Josh hasn’t been easy. We work at the same college, and while there are hundreds of employees, I catch sight of him nearly everywhere I go. To make matters worse, when I come home in the evening after a long day at work, he’s there, being the world’s best dad to his adorable daughter.

Since fall is officially here and the weather has turned colder, they don’t linger outside quite as much as they used to, but on nights like tonight, when the sun is dipping in the sky and he’s got a fire going in the firepit that’s in the middle of our shared yard, he’s impossible to ignore.

“Miss Val, come look at my hair!” Reese’s request is impossible to resist, so after setting my bag inside the door and letting Kevin out on his leash, I walk over to the fire pit to see what hairstyle my sweet little neighbor is sporting today.

“Your pigtails are adorable as always,” I say, flouncing her dark brown strands.

“But they’re the same as always,” she says, crossing her arms and scowling. Hair is serious business, and I’ll never say otherwise, but it’s hard to keep a straight face around this girl.

“In my defense,” Josh says, putting his hands up, “bubble braids are harder than they look. And my fingers are too thick for those little plastic bands.”

The air around us goes still as Josh’s words register. Reese is oblivious, of course, and Josh just clears his throat while I take a trip down Filthy Memory Avenue and recall just how thick his fingers are.

“Yeah, well, you are in luck, Miss Reese, because I happen to be a bubble braid champion. The next time you need them, you just let me know.” I smile broadly and I’m about to unclip Kevin’s leash and duck inside, but without missing a beat, Reese produces a hairbrush and a container of elastics.

“Can you do them now?” she asks.

I could tell her I have to make dinner, or that Kevin needs a walk, but I’m not about to lie.

Besides, doing Reese’s hair won’t take long and it will make her happy, so when she scoots down on the bench, I slide in behind her, saddle-style.

Reese chatters on about her day, telling me all about her teacher and the class leopard gecko, and the new backpack her best friend has.

I listen and style her hair, positioning the small elastic ponytail holders in even increments and puffing out just enough hair to achieve the desired effect.

I won’t get hired at a salon anytime soon, but for a backyard hairdresser, I do just fine.

I’m halfway through the second pigtail when I chance a glance at Josh.

His eyes are fixed on me, and at first, I’m sure he’s studying my technique so when Reese wants this same hairstyle tomorrow, he can do his best to replicate it.

But when my eyes meet his, he looks away, his cheeks pink like he’s been caught staring.

Things have been a little awkward since Saturday night, but we’re adults and we can rise above it.

I mean, he’s had his mouth on my boobs and his fingers inside of me. So not a big deal, right?

But it is a big deal, especially because I want it to happen again. I know it can’t, and then I’ll never get the opportunity to return the favor, but it sure would be nice if we could slip back into that parallel universe just for a night. Or two.

“Are they done?” Reese asks, turning to me.

That’s when I realize I’m finished with her hair, but still hanging onto one pigtail like I’m not quite done.

To save face, I fiddle with the elastic for a second before stretching my hands wide.

“Ta-da! What do you think?” I ask, handing her my phone so she can inspect my work.

She grins ear-to-ear before wrapping me in a hug. “You’re the best, Miss Valerie.”

“You’re pretty fantastic, too, Miss Reese,” I say, booping her on the nose. She hops up off the bench and runs inside, probably to get a treat for Kevin.

“Her hair looks great. Thank you,” Josh says as we watch Reese head into the house.

“It’s no trouble. It only took a few minutes. And she’s a great kid.” I have to stop myself from rambling. Conversation used to flow pretty easily between us, but things are a bit strained now. I guess nearly banging in a barroom bathroom will have that effect.

“She adores you.” His smile is genuine and unguarded, the way it always is when he talks about his daughter.

“I feel the same about her,” I tell him honestly.

“I thought about going into teaching for a while, actually.” When he gives me a funny look, I explain.

“Those two career paths aren’t quite as disparate as you think.

Kindergartners and college freshmen have an alarming amount in common.

And I spend most of my day solving problems. Isn’t that what teachers do, too? ”

His mouth quirks up. “So what changed your mind and made you go into Public Relations?”

“As a PR specialist, I don’t have to wipe snotty noses or clean up puke.”

Josh laughs. “Are you sure about that? We have nosebleeds on the regular, and one of my guys is a puker.”

I’m already shaking my head. “Nope. Not my job. I had no trouble handling the surprise nuptials in Vegas last month, but the minute one of your guys starts turning green, it’s time for me to leave and you to call the team doc.”

“That’s fair,” Josh concedes.

Kevin starts yipping, and that’s how I know it’s time to head inside and fill up his food and water dishes. As much as I’d love to sit here by the fire with Josh and hear about what his team has been up to lately, dog-mom duty calls.

I stand up and swing my leg back over the bench seat.

My eyes are trained on Kevin, and I can see that he’s got his legs tangled up in his leash again.

I must be focusing too intently on that because I don’t notice the stick on the ground in front of me until it’s too late.

I’m not an especially clumsy person, but the toe of my boot snags on the stick, pitching me forward.

Josh, ever the gentleman, bolts up and reaches out, catching my fall. He saves me from faceplanting in the yard, and I definitely appreciate that, but falling into his embrace is nearly as bad.

Except it doesn’t feel bad at all.

His hands are on my arms, steadying me, but once I’ve regained my balance, I find it hard to peel my gaze away from his.

It’s what I should do—what I will do— just as soon as I stop noticing the flecks of gold in his eyes and the way that his bottom lip is a little fuller than his top lip.

And the stubble along his jawline. I will stop drooling over that any second now, when I pull back and reclaim my own space.

But I don’t. Instead of creating distance between us, I feel myself leaning forward, craving closeness rather than rejecting it.

Josh leans forward to. He’s so close now that I’m in serious danger of getting lost in his dark brown gaze.

He runs the pad of his thumb over my lower lip, and I nearly melt into a puddle of goo right here in the backyard.

He’s cupping my chin in his hand, and our lips are so close that I can practically taste them.

I’m so ready for this kiss. I’m so ready for more of this man.

My eyes flutter closed in anticipation of a kiss that never comes. Before my brain can register what’s happening—and what definitely isn’t—I hear the bang of a screen door and look over to see Reese rushing across the yard.

“Daddy! You have to help me. I can’t find the dog bone we bought for Kevin.”

And just like that, the moment is gone. Josh follows his daughter back into the house. But as he goes, I can’t help but notice the bulge in his sweats and the flush on his cheeks.

At least I’m not the only one reeling from the chemistry between us.

I’m a glutton for punishment. A fool for a sexy hockey coach.

There’s no other way to describe it. When I received the estimates from the campus grounds department about how much space we’ll have for the winter carnival and how many tents we’ll need, I could have easily forwarded the message to Ollie Jablonski, the student fundraising chair.

But since Ollie is also the captain of the hockey team, I’m walking over to the Wolf’s Den complex like it’s the nineties and my fax machine is on the fritz.

All because I might see a certain assistant hockey coach when I get there.

Ever since our almost-kiss at the fire pit the other night, I haven’t been able to get Josh or his sexy mouth off my mind.

Who am I kidding? His sexiness has been running on a loop in my brain since that night at Kirby’s, before I even knew who he was.

If I’m being honest, I’ve been lusting after Josh since the morning I moved in.

But I never would have acted on it. Sure, I could find another apartment.

But we don’t just live next to each other, we work at the same university.

And as the PR coordinator and the chair of the fundraising committee, I work closely with the coaches and the players.

I see Josh around campus, at meetings, and at home. There’s no escaping him.

But there’s also no escaping how much I want him.

Besides, the walk will do me good. I should get some steps in.

Cardiovascular health is not to be ignored, although I am beginning to wish I’d worn flats or wedges instead of four-inch heels.

By the time I make it upstairs, my calves are on fire.

Straightening out my skirt, I reach for the door just as it begins to swing open toward me.

I manage to step back quickly enough to avoid getting trampled by the massive body striding through.

Maybe it’s been a decade since Josh last played hockey, but looking at him now, I’m pretty sure he could suit up and join his players on the ice this weekend.

Val,” he stammers, registering that I’m the person he almost plowed into. “Ms. Grim,” he corrects, darting his head around the empty corridor, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay?”