Slap Shot (D.C. Stars, #3)

by Chelsea Curto

“I don’t know if anyone’s ever bought me flowers.” “Ever? Not even⁠—” “Not that I can remember. They’re beautiful. Roses are my favorite. Cliché, I know. But I don’t care.” “I’m glad you like them. I know they don’t fix the things that didn’t go right today. They don’t solve the problems, but they don’t make anything worse.” “I like that sentiment.” I lean against the door frame. “You got Lucy to calm down? And you cleaned the kitchen? Are you a miracle worker, Bombshell?” His blush deepens, cheeks bright pink. “Hardly. It took us a minute. Several minutes, actually. I sat with her and let her cry. When she wore herself out, I asked if she wanted to help me with something. We made cleaning the kitchen a game. After, we went and got some fresh air on a walk to the grocery store up the road. Bringing the dogs helped, too. You know she loves Gus and Millie.” There’s a thrumming behind my ribs the more he talks. It’s not painful, but something wonderful: a steady, soothing warmth. I’ve never experienced it before, and it moves all over my body, from my spine to my toes. I blink. When Hudson hands the doll he’s holding over to Lucy and gives her a smile, the understanding hits me like a ton of bricks. How I missed it before, I don’t know, because it’s so stupidly obvious. I have a crush on Hudson Hayes. An alarmingly real, alarmingly serious crush, where just being around him makes everything better. I can breathe easier. I can think clearer. The night has totally turned around...

GURL FINALLYYYY TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH