When Alec Met Evie (Appies, #6)

by Jenny Proctor

Alec’s Instagram account isn’t the biggest of the Appies, but he still has over five hundred thousand followers. That’s a lot of people. But I knew him before. I know how much he loves his sister. How good and kind and protective he is. I was there when he got the phone call about his hockey scholarship to Cornell, and I went to countless college games with Megan, the two of us wearing matching jerseys, Alec’s name and number printed on the back. I heard about him signing with the Appies the same day it happened, when Megan called to tell me the good news, and I was there when he graduated from college. In my mind, Alec was larger than life. Perfect in all the ways a man should be perfect. It’s nothing short of surreal to think of him coming over here early, checking on my house and fixing my steps. Apparently, imagining Alec wielding a hammer is more than enough to reignite my long-dormant feelings, because a twinge of something familiar pushes against my ribcage, making my chest flush with heat and my skin tingle with awareness. Except…no. Those are not feelings I need. I can feel gratitude, maybe even hints of admiration. But now is not the time for a crush, and not just because he’s my best friend’s older brother. Barely a year out from my divorce, I’m not even sure I’m capable of the emotions a relationship would require. Not that I would actually expect the internet’s favorite hockey captain to ever be interested in me.