Knox_A Chicago Blaze Hockey Romance by Brenda Rothert

Author:Brenda Rothert [Rothert, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Silver Sky Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2019-10-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Knox

“What do you think? As good as the coconut shrimp we had in Kauai?” Reese asks me, her expression excited as she waits for my answer.

“It is; it’s fantastic. Who would have guessed you could get seafood like this in Chicago?”

“I’m telling you, the food in this city is crazy good.”

“I’m not convinced.” I wink at her. “We may have to try every restaurant in the city together.”

She smiles, but it only lasts a second before her lips slide down in a melancholy expression.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her.

She sighs softly and meets my gaze across the restaurant table. “When you winked, it reminded me of my friend who works at the shelter. She got some bad news the other day.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. It was bad news for me too. Bad for everyone there, actually. But Angelia got hit harder than I did—she’s losing her job.”

“What was this news?”

“The shelter lost more than half of its federal funding for next year,” she says glumly.

“That’s terrible.”

“Yeah.” The server sets our refilled breadbasket on the table and she thanks him, grabbing a piece. “But carbs make everything better, right?”

“I think peanut butter makes everything better.”

“Really? Is that your favorite?”

“Yeah, I eat it right out of the jar before games.”

“Out of the jar? Doesn’t it get all stuck together in your mouth?”

“I unstick it. It kinda melts in there.”

The smile Reese gives me is warm and sweet, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“What?” I ask her, reaching for another piece of bread myself.

“It’s just…you’re this big, brooding guy with a dark beard, and I like it when unexpected stuff comes out of your mouth. Cute stuff.”

“Cute?” I hike my brows up, interested. “You think I’m cute?”

She hesitates before saying, “At times, yes.”

“You’re no good at playing coy. You obviously think I’m incredibly cute.”

“Maybe.”

“Well, what a coincidence. I think you’re cute, too. Sounds like I should take you out on a real date.”

“Knox.” Reese is trying for a warning tone, but it’s pretty weak.

“I’m just saying. You think I’m cute, I think you’re cute, we both love coconut shrimp…if only we knew whether we’re compatible in the sack…”

A blush spreads across her cheeks. “I thought you were good with being just friends.”

I give her a serious look. “I think we both know there’s more there.”

She sighs heavily. “I don’t deny the attraction is there, but…I don’t want to get hurt again. I’d rather have you as my friend forever than to take things further and possibly lose you altogether.”

“You can’t just be celibate for the rest of your life.” I shift in my chair. “And you can’t pretend there’s anyone you’re more compatible with than me.”

Reese holds my gaze for a second before saying, “Are you talking about just sex? Like…friends who also have sex?”

“No. Like friends who go on dates and have sex and don’t see other people.”

“That’s a relationship.” She gives me an exasperated look.

“Look, let’s start with a date. One date.” I hold out my index finger for emphasis. “What

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