I shake my head at them both with a smile. They can talk shit all they want. I don’t mind as long as Meredith is happy.
I’M SITTING IN the box, waiting for warmups to start, and I’m a bit surprised that Sylvia isn’t here. When I picked Leo up last Saturday, she said she was making her move soon to set Marc up. I’m starting to get anxious and I’ve been waiting for her to show up, so I can ask how soon is soon. I love Marc and I love having him over, but he needs a woman. He and Noah may get a kick out of calling him our third wheel, but there’s only so much longer he can be the third wheel. I’m still uncertain that who Sylvia wants to set him up with is the right person, but it can’t hurt to let them meet.
Sylvia and a woman with blond hair finally arrive. Sylvia gives me a grin that quickly disappears when the woman gasps. Her eyes are glued to the ice. I glance down, but I don’t see anything abnormal. She starts hyperventilating and Sylvia is immediately concerned.
“Lizzy? You okay?” she asks, but the woman doesn’t answer.
The players skate onto the ice. Lizzy immediately shakes her head and bolts out of the room. Sylvia follows after her.
Ooooooookay, then.
My gaze returns to the ice, immediately finding that head of black hair. My favorite thing about Noah playing is the fact that he doesn’t wear a helmet during warmups. His hair flies back as he skates around the ice. A breathy sigh slips out when he starts to stretch. God, he looks ridiculously hot. Between his hair, the uniform, the stretching, how can anyone resist a hockey player? Especially my hockey player?
Life is just so good right now. It can only get better and I have no doubt that even the bad days will be good if only for the fact that Noah is with me. We can get through anything at this point. I can’t wait to officially be Mrs. Noah Ramsey.
Sylvia plops into the seat next to me right after the national anthem as well as Canada’s national anthem is sung.
“Is that her?” I blurt out.
“Yeah.”
“Well, where is she? Is she excited about meeting Marc?”
Sylvia turns in her seat toward me. “As excited as she can be. She’s just outside. She’s not going to watch the game with us. She isn’t too thrilled about him being a hockey player. However, she’s still going to the bar with us afterward. I told Marc I wanted him to meet someone, so I’m hoping the sparks fly and this won’t be all for nothing.”
There’s so many questions I want to ask, but something about Sylvia’s demeanor makes me bite my tongue. Instead, I ask a question off topic. “How are the girls?”
“I regret watching Leo for you. The girls are begging Scott for a puppy. He wants to give in and get them one, but the twins are enough of a handful. I do not want to watch and take care of a puppy.”
We talk about her girls and plan on a lunch date next week. I’m starting to get both excited and nervous about Marc meeting this woman. Hopefully, it goes well, but in the back of my mind, I keep hearing Sylvia say how she’s the opposite of Marc. I just can’t see him with someone who isn’t just like him. But what do I know? Maybe she’ll be perfect for him.
The guys come out onto the ice flying. I can tell from that moment that this is going to be a good game, if only because they are ready to fight for the win. My attention swings back and forth between the game and Sylvia when she’s not talking to Theresa. She’s so hopeful this will work out between Marc and Lizzy. I hope so, too. Marc is going to be in a great mood after the game. He scored a goal and got a few assists along the way.
Sylvia leaves when there’s a minute left to go. The Rebels have a healthy lead, and she’s deeming it safe enough to go. Plus, she wants to check on Lizzy. Once the buzzer has sounded to officially end the game, I’m right behind her, heading to the bar.
I spot them easily enough, arriving at the same time as Theresa. Sylvia formally introduces me to Lizzy. The woman gives us a small smile and steadily sips from her drink. She doesn’t engage in conversation with us. She mostly stares at her drink and takes frequent sips. I don’t have a good feeling about her.
Marc puts an arm around my shoulder and an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Ladies,” he grins. “Your favorite Rebel is here.” I laugh and shake my head while he plants a quick kiss on my cheek. Lizzy finally looks at him. “You I don’t know. What’s your name, beautiful?”
Okay, so he thinks she’s beautiful. That’s good. Unless he’s just talking shit. I don’t think he is though because she is pretty. Unfortunately, she’s just staring at him.
“Marc, this is Elizabeth,” Sylvia comes in to rescue her. “We call her Lizzy, though.”
Lizzy is still staring at him. This is so going to blow up in his face. He leans in, whispering something in her ear before pulling away and waving a waitress over. He orders himself a beer and soon, my man is here. I know because he touches my lower back and gives me a quick kiss when I turn my head. Scott is also here and he introduces Lizzy to the other guys who have arrived. Sylvia can’t stop grinning. I’m not sure why, though. Lizzy doesn’t look thrilled.
At all.
I wish I could pull Marc away and tell him that she is obviously not someone he should go out with, but the waitress drops off his beer, causing him to remove his arm from my shoulders to hold it. Lizzy glances at Scott, who is laughing at Noah. I should probably pay more attention, but Marc has turned his focus to Lizzy, and it’s like a movie I can’t stop watching.
“How’d you get included in this group?” he asks her.
“I’m an old friend of Scott and Sylvia’s,” she replies curtly.
“Just in town visiting then?”
Did Sylvia not tell him anything about her? Even I know before she says it that she lives here.
“Then how come I’ve never seen your lovely face before?”