Page 28 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain

“I thought Holly and you are still friends.”

“She’s okay,” Stella admits.

I blink, unsure about navigating second-grader female friendships.

“Anyway, Vinnie and I can’t kiss,” I say.

“Why?” Stella’s face falls. “I thought you were friends. And Vinnie rescued you. There’s always a kiss at the end of every fairytale.”

I open my mouth, unsure how I’m going to protest, but knowing that I need to. I want Stella to think it’s normal for men to kiss. I don’t want to teach her about homophobia.

I look up at Vinnie. His gaze softens.

“I think we should obey the little dragon,” he says. “Is that okay?”

“You don’t mind?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“Not if you don’t.”

“Okay.”

Then he swoops me into a movie star kiss, and I can hear Stella squealing. Then, ever so gently, he presses his lips to mine.

The kiss is tender and brief, but my heart explodes, and I gaze at him unsteadily when he lifts me back to a standing position.

CHAPTER NINE

Vinnie

I kissed Evan.

I still can’t believe it, and my heart bubbles at the memory.

I look away. Evan doesn’t need to see me smile.

“Okay,” Evan says. “Dress up is over. Let’s clean the room.”

I wait for Stella to protest, but she moves quickly and expediently. Evan smirks when he sees my jaw gape.

“She’s trained well,” I murmur. “Guess you’re a good captain off the ice too.”

“She’s a good kid.”

“The best,” I agree.

Evan’s eyes widen, and I busy myself with removing my cloak and folding it with probably more care than the action needs.

“I’m sorry about the kiss,” Evan says.

I raise my eyebrows. “You do realize I was the one who kissed you?”

“Yes, but Stella is my daughter—”

“It’s fine, Evan,” I say. “She’s a good kid, and you’re a good father.”

“Okay.” He nods. “And you’re a good kisser.”

His cheeks flame, and something in my heart warms. I stare at him, and he stares back.