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Hayden Monroe, though, just grins at her as if she’s the most incredible person in the world.

It’s cute. They’re cute. The most unlikely of couples. The Vipers’ happy-go-lucky rookie and the hard-ass PR Director.

“So, she’s over there doing the work of the team, not just her dad?”

“Something like that,” Hailee says with a laugh. “If she doesn’t end up playing professional hockey, I think she needs a job on my team. She has zero issues telling these men exactly how it is. She’s got them wrapped around her little finger. It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“But will her magic work on Nash?” I ask, suspecting that it already has. “He’s not exactly known for showing his softer side.”

“Oh, it’ll work,” Hailee says confidently.

We stand there and watch as Hailee is proven right. It takes another minute of discussion, but Nash lines himself up to Sutton, and the two of them look at each other.

“Uh…are they about to⁠—”

“Go,” we hear her squeal even from over here.

We all start laughing as she takes off like a bullet, leaving Nash in her dust while effortlessly weaving around everyone in front of her.

Nash might already be behind, but he’s clearly a willing participant, because he takes off after her. His long, strong legs glide across the ice. But as fast as he is, Sutton is faster, and because she’s so small, she manages to slip through even the smallest gap in the skaters ahead of her.

She throws her hands up in celebration as she completes her first lap, but she doesn’t stop, or even slow down—in fact, I’m pretty sure she actually gets faster.

The other people on the ice have begun to notice that something is happening, and they’re starting to move aside. This allows Nash some open ice to catch up a little.

As he passes us, his eyes lock on mine for the briefest of moments. But not wanting to lose more time than necessary, his stride doesn’t even falter as he chases baby Rivers down.

The deep boom of Vipers’ voices cheering Sutton on fills the air, and when I glance over at Kodie and Casey, I find wide, proud smiles on both of their faces.

I’ve heard about Sutton’s skills, but this is the first time I’m getting to see them.

I think I’m going to need to go to one of her games. I bet she’s incredible.

The volume increases as Nash starts his second lap. He’s really closing the space between them now. I mean, I’m hardly surprised. That man is a fucking machine. And those thighs…Fuck. They’re solid. My fists clench as I remember running my hands up them as I was blowing him. So much muscle and strength.

“Come on, Sutton,” Storm bellows.

“You’ve got this, girl,” Monroe adds, startling Hailee and making her blades slip from beneath her. “Whoops,” he laughs as she clings to him.

The excitement builds as they both close in on what I assume is the finish line.

Sutton looks back briefly, and I just catch the smile on her face when she realizes that she’s still far enough ahead to claim the victory.

As she crosses the line, she jumps into the air and performs a fancy figure-skating jump, landing it perfectly just before Nash finishes.

Every single member of the team races to congratulate Sutton on her win.

“It’s okay. You can go,” Hailee says as we watch them lift her up, chanting her name.

“I’ll keep her on her feet,” I promise Monroe before he shoots off to join his team.

“They're a pretty incredible bunch of guys, aren’t they?” Hailee says, watching with a soft smile.

“Yeah.”

“I’m just glad Sutton is racing and not breaking noses.”

“W-what?” I splutter.