And then the Travelers had lost in the playoffs, and he’d taken time off, gone to visit his mom. He’d taken a vacation, done some endorsements, and he’d still never heard from Stella. It wasn’t like they’d even dated. It had been more like a series of hookups.

Fun ones, too. His lips curved at the thought.

“You’re up, Trick,” Avery said.

He took his shot, and when he finished, he grabbed another beer and took up his spot against the wall, trying not to look at Stella, while still watching her.

Stella was deep in conversation with her friend and hadn’t once looked his way.

He wanted to talk to her. It would be polite to go over and at least say hello, right? Otherwise, he’d be rude, and he wasn’t an asshole. They knew each other, and he’d at least spotted her. If nothing else, they could put their relationship to bed.

So to speak.

He pushed off the wall and headed her way.

***

“So then he said— Oh, shit.”

Stella arched her brow at Greta’s curse. “Oh, shit . . . what?”

“Oh, shit, you have got to check out the hot guy heading our way. And he’s got eyes only for you.”

She dragged her gaze away from Greta, and on . . .

“Oh. That’s Trick.”

“You know him?”

Her lips curved. “I most definitely know him.”

She stood just as Trick got to their table. “Well, hi. I didn’t know you’d be in here tonight.”

He smiled back at her. “This is my favorite bar, remember?”

“I actually did remember that just now.” She turned. “This is Trick. Trick, this is my sister, Greta.”

Greta stood and shook Trick’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Greta.”

“You, too, Trick.”

Stella motioned for Trick to take a seat. He stretched out his long, oh-so-fine body next to hers.

It had been a long time. She normally never missed guys she’d slept with, but Trick? She’d missed having him in her bed.

“I didn’t know you had a sister.” He looked them over. Greta was pretty, blonde like her sister, with her hair worn longer and pulled back in a ponytail. Their facial features were similar, and they both had those striking blue eyes, though Greta’s were a darker blue.

“She’s visiting from out of town.”

Trick made sure to give Greta some attention. “Is that right? And where is out of town, Greta?”

“Currently, I’m in D.C., but I’m in town for a job interview, so if it all goes well I might be moving here to New York City.”

He grinned. “Great time of year for it, too. All the decorations are up for the Christmas holidays.”

“I know. I’ve been gawking at everything and Stella has been showing me all the holiday sights. It’s fantastic. The tree at Rockefeller Center is amazing. And the window displays are works of art. I love it!”

“I’m sure having you move up here would make Stella happy.”

“It would make Stella very happy,” Stella said with a grin. “Now we just have to hope she didn’t bomb the interview.”

“Hey,” Greta said. “I totally aced it.”

“Where are you interviewing?”

“A PR firm.”

“And she’s right. I’m sure she did ace it,” Stella said.

“Did they say when they’d get back to you?”

“Surprisingly, by the end of the week,” Greta said. “Usually these things take a while, but I’m the last candidate they interviewed. I talked to the head of the firm as well as the VP. I’m hopeful.”

“She’s very good at her job,” Stella said.

Trick liked that Stella pumped up her sister. “So you’re staying the weekend, Greta?”

“I am. And what do you do, Trick?”

“Hockey player.”

Greta frowned for a few seconds, then her eyes widened. “Ohhh, of course. I should have known. You have the fierce, competitive look about you.”

“Do you like hockey?”

“I love hockey. As a matter of fact—”

“Yes. She loves hockey,” Stella said, interrupting her sister. “So maybe you can hook her up with some tickets if she gets the job and moves up here.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Greta shot a bemused look at Stella. “So . . . how do you and Trick know each other?”

Stella shrugged. “Oh, Trick and I go way back. We’re old friends.”