Romancing the Grump (Appies, #4)

by Jenny Proctor

“Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt,” a voice says from behind me, “but do you guys play for the Appies?” Sure enough, it’s one of the women from a few tables over who has been staring through most of our meal. The guys all look at Alec. Apparently, he functions as team captain off the ice too. Alec sits up a little taller, his expression shifting as he smiles wide. It’s actually kind of miraculous to watch him shift into his public persona. It’s not a bad persona at all—he’s charming and charismatic. But I definitely prefer the more unguarded version of Alec. “We sure do,” he says, his voice smooth and confident. “Are you a fan?” “I knew it!” the woman says, her nerves making her voice tremble. “I’m a huge fan. I don’t know much about hockey, but I love your TikTok account.” She holds up her phone. “Do you think I could get a picture with all of you?” When the guys nod, I jump out of my seat. “Here. I’ll take it for you.” The guys crowd together around the table, and the woman crouches down so she’s in the frame next to them. I snap a few photos, then try to return the phone, but the woman doesn’t take it. “Maybe just one more of me and Nathan?” A few of the guys chuckle and let out a chorus of oohs and ahhs that make the woman blush and Nathan frown, but he gets up anyway, moving in next to the woman. He keeps his hands clasped in front of him, standing like a stone statue next to her while I wrestle an unexpected flash of jealousy into submission. It shouldn’t matter—he i...