Page 47 of Ice Cold Hearts

“Can I still have another snack from the table?” she asks.

“Sure.” I smile and stand up.

Damn, she’s got perfect timing. We’re right at the end of the first period. We’ll be able to get a snack from the table and be back before the Zamboni is even off the ice.

Then I see the waiters coming in to refresh the table, and true to his word, Mr. Connelly is making his way to us with a little bowl and spoon in one hand.

“Actually, the snack is coming to us.” I smile.

She looks around confused then stands on her tip-toes and tries again.

“I can’t see,” she says, starting to sound distressed. “Everyone is too big.”

I can sense the meltdown on the horizon. I crouch back down to her level.

“They’re on their way over,” I reassure her. “Would you like to blow out the candles while you wait?”

She nods.

“How many candles?” I ask.

Audrey holds up her fingers

I nod. “Four it is.”

I hold my fingers in front of her lips. She takes a comically big breath and slowly blows down my fingers. By the time all the “candles” are out, she's got a smile on her face.

I swear I could kiss her teacher for showing me that trick. Honestly, I wish we had that sort of thing in school when I was little. I probably wouldn't have had so many notes sent home if I'd had a resource like that.

I saw the sorbet, but I didn't see the bear until he pulled it out from behind his back. He catches me looking at the jersey-clad bear and steps over to me after presenting Audrey with her treat.

“I hope you'll forgive my assumption, but I figured you'd come in through the V.I.P. gate. They were only giving out the bears to the kids at the general admission gate for family fun day since we don't get too many V.I.P. kiddos up here. I didn't want you guys to miss out,” he explains.

“Thank you.” I smile. “Your wife is one lucky lady.”

“That's what I keep trying to tell her, but apparently, leaving my socks all over the house negates all that.” He shrugs good-naturedly.

“Mmm, I think I'll have to side with her on that one,” I tease, and we both laugh.

At the top of the third period, Audrey falls asleep in her chair.

I'll never cease to be amazed at how she can just drop off like that.

The score is tied two-two now and the game is only getting dirtier. I watch as Ian and Alexei race across the ice so quickly they seem to blur. It amazes me how in sync they are. They’re determined to play as clean a game as possible and have had several near-misses with the Blizzards.

My heart is in my throat watching them attempt play after play. I can tell by the way Oliver keeps shifting around in goal that I’m not the only one worried about those two.

Alexei breaks away with the puck, two Blizzard players hot on his heels.

I jump to my feet screaming in a way that ensures I’ll be completely hoarse tomorrow.

There’s one minute left. If the Cold Hearts score, it’ll be hard for the Blizzards to tie things up again. Winning this game also means they win the series. Games six and seven won’t have to be played, which means I have more time with them all to myself.

It might not be the most altruistic reason to want a win, but I don’t care. No matter how much time we spend together or texting, it never feels like enough. Being with them is like walking into your best friend’s childhood house. It’s new and foreign but somehow feels immediately like home.

A blue and white streak comes out of nowhere, slamming elbow first into Alexei’s back.

Before the ref can even call the penalty, Ian streaks across the ice and cold clocks the player who rammed Alexei. The other guy is bigger, but Ian has him on the ground pinned down with his stick in a matter of seconds.