Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“I’m a good judge of character and I don’t miss much, Miss Hoover,” he says with a confident nod. “I can tell you two are in love. It’s charming to see.”
I turn back to Sebastian and my breath quickens. He’s pointing to some old hockey puck and smiling like it’s a priceless diamond.
“Come look at this, Alina,” he eagerly says. “It’s signed by the entire 1979 championship team!”
I walk over with Van Morgan’s words still swirling in my head.
I can tell you two are in love.
I’m sure it’s easy to see it on my face, but with Sebastian too? Could he really be in love with me or is this all part of the act?
“Look,” he says as he puts his arm around me and points at the autographed puck that seems to be hovering magically in the glass case. “Guy Roloson, Lester Bower, Gordie Miller! They’re all here!”
I don’t really care about an old puck, but I love seeing Sebastian so excited.
“It’s so cool,” I say.
“I have one more thing to show you before we rejoin the party,” Van Morgan says. He walks over to his desk and pulls a contract out from the drawer.
I hear Sebastian suck in a breath as he stares at it with a tense jaw.
“Your agent has gone over the contract multiple times and has approved it,” he says, pointing to her signature. “It’s what we agreed on in our last meeting.”
“You want me on the team?” Sebastian says, still staring at the paper in awe.
“Like I mentioned,” Van Morgan says in a deep voice, “I had my reservations about your off-ice behavior. But after meeting your lovely fiancée, they have been assuaged.”
“I’ll keep him on a short leash,” I say, giving the billionaire a wink. “Very short.”
He laughs. “I’m sure you will.”
“My partying days are over,” Sebastian says in a firm tone. “I promise you that.” Only, he’s looking at me more than at Van Morgan when he says it.
“I’m glad to hear that, Mr. Kemp,” Van Morgan says. “The next great hockey dynasty is waiting for you. All that’s missing is your signature.”
He offers a pen. Sebastian’s hand is trembling as he takes it.
All of his hard work, sacrifice, and determination have led to this moment.
The skinny kid who told everyone who listened that he would be a hockey superstar has become one. I’m so proud of him that it brings tears to my eyes.
A tear leaks out and slides down my cheek as I watch him sign his name.
He’s a Hyena now.
“Welcome to the team,” Van Morgan says, grabbing his hand in a firm handshake. “I’m so happy to have you both in San Antonio.”
I gulp as I force out a smile. What is he going to do when he finds out our engagement is a sham? When Sebastian moves to San Antonio and I’m stuck in Shakings, Colorado?
What am I going to do when I’m left behind?
I push that sad horrible thought out of my head and focus on the happy moment.
“See that empty shelf over the fireplace?” Van Morgan asks, pointing at it. “That’s for the Hyena’s first Stoney Cup.”
“You’re going to need a lot more shelves,” I say with a laugh. “Now that you have the great Sebastian Kemp on your team!”
We celebrate a little more and then Van Morgan excuses himself to get back to his guests at the party.
“If there’s anything you’d like, please let me know,” he says when we’re outside his office. “You’re both family now.”
“There is one thing,” I say, embarrassed to ask, but I know I’d regret it forever if I didn’t.
“What is it?”
“Can I see your closet?”
Van Morgan laughs. “That’s a new one!”
“She’s in the luxury closet business,” Sebastian explains. “She always insists on looking at everyone’s closets. It’s an occupational hazard with her.”
“Fifth door on the left,” Van Morgan says with a laugh. “Help yourself.”
I’m giddy with excitement as he walks away, still chuckling to himself.
Sebastian turns to me with wide eyes and a huge smile once Van Morgan disappears down the stairs. “I’m on the team!”
“Congratulations!” I say, trying to stay upbeat and happy.
Inside, my heart is breaking. This is over. He signed the contract. There’s no need for us to pretend any longer.
He’s going to move to San Antonio and become a huge international star, and I’m… not.
I’m going to be stuck in our tiny hometown, hoping I can see him at Christmas or whenever he returns to visit his mom.
It’s over.
I gasp as he cups my cheeks and pulls my mouth in for a warm kiss.
Or, maybe not…
Chapter Ten
Sebastian
My heart is racing as I stand in Brantley Van Morgan’s closet, watching Alina freak out at the luxurious custom shelving and automated tie rack.
The closet is insane. It has a giant island in the middle with a leather couch in the corner. Rows and rows of expensive tailored suits line one wall. Two other walls are floor-to-ceiling shelves of every kind of shoe and boot imaginable. It looks like a library, but instead of books, it’s finely crafted Italian leather footwear.