Edge by Brenda Rothert

to blame. I’ve got no purpose if I’m not playing the game.”
    “You’ve never had a reason to look for other purpose, but someday you will, and you’ll find it. You’re smart and sweet and loyal and so dedicated. I think you’ll excel at anything you put your mind to.”
    Her eyes glistened with honesty and my heart tugged. This was uncharted territory for me. I was feeling something here, and it had nothing to do with her looks. And the words of admiration she’d just melted me with had nothing to do with mine.
    I cleared my throat and looked back at the rows of weights. She broke my focus, and I couldn’t have that right now. Not when it was already spiraling away because of my dad’s massive fuck-up.
    “Guess the guys are going out to celebrate,” I said. “That was a hell of a game.”
    “It sure was,” she said, a smile in her voice. “I suggest you head out with them. They won’t take no for an answer, and I bet it’ll feel good.”
    “Are you coming?”
    She shook her head. “No, I should get home to Kyler.”
    “It’s close to ten. Isn’t he asleep?”
    She sighed softly. “Yeah. But still. Good mommies don’t go out and get wasted and then go home to their kid.”
    “You wouldn’t have to drink.”
    “I’d be a buzz kill. Women are more likely to approach the guys if I’m not there.”
    “Fuck that,” I said, laughing. “They’ll get laid if they’re looking to, don’t worry.”
    Her smile faded and I thought about what I’d said. Did she think I wanted to go out and get laid?
    “I’d rather take you up on dinner than go out,” I said.
    “Tonight?” She turned to me, surprised.
    “We’ll call it a practice dinner, maybe. If you want to get dressed up and go out again, that’d be good.”
    Her gaze dropped to her lap. “I can’t do anything that even looks like a date with a player. Not that you’re asking for a date, I know.”
    “We’ll keep it on the low, okay? I’d really like to talk to you some more.”
    “Okay.” Her voice was reluctant, but her expression was warm and eager. I was used to being able to figure women out pretty quick, but I hadn’t been able to do that with Dell. She was interested in me, I could tell that. But she held tight to her commitment to the team and to being a good mom. I admired that.
    A battle was starting to rage inside me. I wanted to get closer to her, but was that best for her? Everything about her was uncharted territory for me – from not being able to touch her to considering whether I was good for her. But when I was near her, all bets were off. Even if it was just conversation, I wanted to be with her more than anyone tonight.
    ***
    Dell
     
    There wasn’t much chance we’d run into anyone from the team at the little Italian place on the outskirts of the city that Luke drove us to. We’d even dropped my car off at my place so no one would see it in the parking lot and wonder who I was with.
    He slipped the waiter a bill and asked for a private table. After a glance at the denomination in his palm, the waiter led us to a back room with the lights off. He flipped a switch and a dim glow filled the small room.
    “Will this be okay, sir?”
    “Perfect. Thanks.”
    The last time I’d been out for dinner with a man had been … college, maybe? The flutter in my stomach was probably just from being out of practice.
    I glanced down at my team sweatshirt and yoga pants. “I feel underdressed.”
    Luke took off his suit jacket, hanging it over the back of his chair. “I’d be in jeans if I could.”
    “You look good in suits.”
    “What about the rest of the time?”
    I shrugged. “You’re okay, I guess.”
    “Not your type?” His voice was light and playful.
    “You’re a hockey player.”
    He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, glancing up at me. “Don’t hold that against me.”
    I busied myself lining up my silverware. “Okay, you’re really hot. You already know that, though.”
    He shook his head.