When Alec Met Evie (Appies, #6)

by Jenny Proctor

I’m halfway across the living room when Alec stops me. “Hey, Evie?” I turn back to face him. It’s the first time he’s called me by name, and the sound sends a delicious shiver racing up my spine. “Yeah?” Alec pushes his hands into the pockets of his joggers. “Thanks for listening. You’re pretty easy to talk to.” I smile. “Anytime.” He runs a hand through his hair and takes a step toward me. “Listen. I have no idea if it’s even practical with Juno, but I’m happy to get you a ticket to Sunday’s game if you want to come. Or any game, really. It doesn’t have to be this one. I’m just saying generally. If you want to go to an Appies game. All you have to do is ask.” My heart squeezes at the kindness behind Alec’s words. I haven’t been to a hockey game in years. Not since high school. Once I started at Juilliard and met Devon, it wasn’t as easy to get away, even though Megan frequently traveled to see whatever games he played in the northeast. But Devon was a theater major, and he didn’t understand my love for hockey at all. I tried to explain it was simply a part of my childhood, but I might as well have been speaking a different language. So I let it go. Devon had that effect on people. He drew people into his orbit and kept them close, and we all stayed there because it felt like such a privilege to have been chosen by someone so talented, so magnetic. We liked what he liked, listened to what he listened to, ate whatever he was in the mood for. It was even easier for me becaus...