Brooke’s head turns and her eyes lock on to mine. Her lips split apart into a bright smile. Christ, I wonder if there will be a day when her smile doesn’t affect me?
“Hey,” I say as I reach her, leaning in and giving her a quick kiss.
“Hey,” she says in welcome, curving her hand around my neck. “You played amazing.”
“Okay, cut that lovey-dovey shit out,” Erik grumbles, and takes the seat on the other side of Nanette. He holds his hand out to her. “Hi, I’m Erik.”
“Let me make introductions,” Brooke says as Nanette gives a sexy laugh while shaking Erik’s hand. I can tell she’s delighted by his attention. “Nanette, that’s Erik Dalhbeck who has your hand.” She then takes turns pointing. “And that’s Legend Bay, Dax Monahan.”
Nanette removes her hand from Erik’s and holds it out to the other guys. Her gaze is bold and appraising, and I can tell she’s definitely looking for a good time.
“And, of course, you remember Bishop,” Brooke adds, and I drape an arm around her shoulder. I nod at Nanette as she turns to look at me. Brooke had texted me earlier today that she’d told Nanette all about our “relationship” and she was all on board with helping us keep the secret. They decided to amend our story to include that I had met Nanette once before so we didn’t have to pretend to know each other very well. This shit was getting really complicated.
One of the waitresses approaches, looking boldly at each of the guys and ignoring Brooke and Nanette, maybe because they already have drinks or maybe because they’re not important. Somehow, Erik manages to ogle the waitress and Nanette at the same time.
Once our drinks arrive, Nanette holds court like a queen with Erik, Dax, and Legend, alternating her flirting and spreading it evenly. I use the opportunity to talk to Brooke. I had not taken one of the high stools, but instead preferred to stand by the side of Brooke’s chair.
“So how was your day?” I ask her, toying with the ends of her hair as my hand rests on the back of her stool.
“Exhausting,” she says with a small smile. “I worked with Sebastian’s group today and—”
“Sebastian?”
“Director of merchandising,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. Even though she had a long day, her eyes are sparkling, and that tells me something. She really needs to get out of team services and get into merchandising.
Brooke goes on to tell me how exciting it is to be working on stuff from the design up to the production of the team’s merchandise licenses, and I have to say, I’ve not seen her animated like this except when I’m working on making her come.
“What do you think the chances are you’ll be moved there full time?”
She shrugs. “Sebastian seems to like my work and ideas, but I don’t know. I’m not getting my hopes up.”
Putting an elbow on the table, I lean into her and lower my voice. “Want me to see if I have any pull?”
Brooke brings a palm to my face, rubs her thumb along my beard at the jawline, and it’s such a tender move that it shocks me for a moment. She shakes her head and gives me the sweetest smile. “No. I really appreciate it, but I’ll get the job or not on my own merits.”
I hold her gaze for a moment before nodding. “If you change your mind, let me know.”
“Okay,” she says, and drops her hand from my face. I look at it a moment as it comes to rest on the table. While it would be ludicrous to snatch it up and bring it back, pressing it there with my own hand on top, there’s nothing unusual in me just taking her hand and holding it.
So I do.
“Well, look at you two…just as much in love as when you left New York,” Nanette says. Brooke and I turn to look at her.
She spares Brooke only the briefest of glances before settling her eyes on me. Appreciative eyes. The same flirty eyes she’d been giving my buds moments ago. She leans into the table, exposing some cleavage. “You’re looking as handsome as ever, Bishop.”
This is followed by a batting of her eyelashes and perhaps an expectant look on her face that I’ll return the compliment. I’m not sure why that bugs me, but it does. She’s got three professional hockey players drooling over her, and here she is flirting with me in front of my girlfriend.
Well, I mean she knows Brooke and I aren’t really—
Or are we?
Fuck, I can’t tell anymore. It’s getting so mixed up.
Regardless, I’m not going to even engage in that shit. “Thanks, Nanette. That’s nice of you to say.”
She just smiles at me a moment, as if she’s waiting for me to say more, and when I don’t, she smoothly turns back to Erik to continue her conversation with him.