Mari Carr continues her Stingrays Hockey series this week with a single dad/nanny, grumpy/sunshine romance, and I have a sneak peek for you.
Excerpt
“I want to start dating.”
“Start?” Victor said, frowning. “You’ve never dated before?”
“Oh no,” she said, waving her hand. “I don’t mean it like that. Of course, I’ve dated before. I had a couple somewhat serious boyfriends in high school, and I went out with another one of the baristas at the coffee shop for the better part of a year before we realized we were better off as friends. It’s just…” She paused for a moment. “Since starting as Pip’s nanny, I haven’t bothered going out and meeting anyone. At first, I was just trying to keep my head above water, learning how to be a nanny as I went along. And you remember how difficult that first year was,” she said quietly, alluding to Vivian straddling the line between new mother and new widow. Victor was still in awe of just how fucking strong and amazing his sister was.
“I remember,” he muttered.
“I didn’t want to leave her or Pip alone because they needed me. And I like being needed.”
Victor considered that response. For a young girl who’d spent the majority of her childhood being “overlooked,” he imagined it had felt good to be needed. More than that, though, Belle had taken that responsibility very seriously. His respect for her rose. “You could have gone on dates, Belle. Vivian never expected you to put your entire life on hold.”
“I overheard what you said to Viv the day she left,” Belle added.
Victor frowned, confused. “What I said?”
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she looked out into the yard, her expression thoughtful in a way he didn’t see very often. “You told her she deserved to do something for herself…and I started thinking the same thing could apply to me.”
Victor nodded, aware those words did work for Belle as well. She’d put her life on hold, dedicating herself to his sister and niece, stepping in to help fill the enormous void left when Phil died.
“It does apply. You do deserve that.”
“So, since I’m about to come into some time, I’ve decided to start putting a little energy into my own future. Because if these past five years have taught me anything, it’s that I want to be a mother.”
Victor leaned back in his chair, trying to ignore how much he liked the image of a very pregnant Belle waddling around, rubbing her stomach.
Kids weren’t part of Victor’s plan for the future. Sure, he’d considered it when he was in his twenties, but as more time passed, he’d gotten too comfortable, too content in his peaceful, unencumbered life. This past season, he’d watched four of his teammates succumb to Cupid’s arrows, falling head over heels in love. Hell, Preston didn’t just find the woman of his dreams, he also discovered he was a father, following a one-night stand over a year ago. Talk about instant family.
“You’d be a great mother,” he said, aware that he’d let the silence drift a little too long. Something sharp lodged in his chest. Not pain, exactly, but close enough to recognize.
“Thanks. Unfortunately, I’ve lost contact with a lot of my friends from school and my old jobs, and my social life is currently nonexistent, so I’ve subjected myself to…” She sighed heavily. “Online dating.”
He shook his head, hating that idea more than he should. “That’s a shitty way to meet people. Most of the guys on those sites are just looking to get laid.”
Belle didn’t seem to agree. “Maybe some, but I’m sure there are just as many guys who are in the same boat as me. Looking for someone to date, to spend time with.”
“It’s not safe,” he barked, when it seemed clear she was going to be hard to dissuade.
“Of course, it is. It’s not like I’m going to meet the guys for the first time in some seedy motel. I’m just going to set up coffee dates—in my old coffee shop. That’s plenty public enough, plus my boss is a great guy, and I know he’ll keep an eye on me.”
Victor wasn’t surprised that Belle’s former employers thought as highly of her as Vivian. But even knowing she’d be safe during her dates didn’t set his mind at ease.
Because he didn’t like the idea of someone else getting to see those dimples or hear that tinkling laugh or touch her.
That thought came too fast, uninvited and unwelcome.
It was also completely honest.
Fuck.
The idea of someone looking at her—really looking at her—made his chest go tight and hot all at once. He didn’t have a right to that reaction, because he wasn’t about to stake his own claim.
She was Pip’s nanny. Part of the family. He knew that. Logically and completely.
It didn’t help.
Victor’s jaw tightened. “Sounds like you’ve already signed up for it.”
Belle blushed. “A couple months ago. Though I haven’t had time to do more than message with guys. Vivian and I were busy getting ready for her trip. It’s just…I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what you said to Viv. I think I deserve to do something for myself too.”
“How’s it going?” he forced himself to ask.
“Mostly awkward,” she admitted with a laugh. “I’ve endured a few strange conversations.”
He didn’t like that.
“But I’ve also started talking to a couple of guys who seem nice.”
“That’s good,” he said, the words tasting like shit.
It wasn’t good. It really wasn’t.
Belle tilted her head toward him. “You don’t sound convinced.”
“I meant what I said. You need to be careful. People aren’t always what they seem, especially online.”
“I know that, Victor.” Her words were spoken with conviction.
He studied her…and something shifted again. Not just awareness or attraction but something deeper and way more complicated. Because that was the moment when all the lies he’d told himself about Belle and her Mary Poppins personality faded away. She wasn’t just easy smiles and soft laughter and loud singing and the kind of warmth that filled a room without even trying.
She was strong and intelligent and intentional. She’d dedicated years of her life to his family because she was compassionate, empathetic, and downright wonderful.
Victor leaned back, staring across the pool, as jealousy sat in his chest. “So that’s what you want? A relationship? A husband? A family?”
She nodded. “Yes. That’s what I want.”
He could feel her gaze on his face, but he didn’t turn to meet it right away. He was too afraid of what she’d see. After a moment, he was able to school his features enough to look at her. “You deserve that, Sunshine.”
He wasn’t sure where the nickname came from, but it fit.
Then he wondered if anyone had ever used a term of endearment with her, because the way her cheeks flushed bright red made him think not.
“Sunshine?” she whispered, more to herself than him.
If she was looking for an explanation, she was going to be disappointed, because he couldn’t tell her without giving away a bunch of shit he shouldn’t. Instead, he just shrugged.
Silence settled between them again, but it wasn’t easy like before. This time, it hung too heavy, weighted down, something unspoken threading through it.
Because while Victor had been sitting here, fighting hard to deny his feelings, he couldn’t help but wonder if Belle had been doing the same.
In some ways, it felt as if she’d been feeling him out. He recalled the way her gaze lingered hungrily on his bare chest when he was working out or playing in the pool with Pip. The way she’d run her tongue over her lip that night he foolishly let his own gaze drift lower, considering how it would feel to kiss her.
For the first time, he began to worry this attraction he felt wasn’t one-sided.
If so…
That was a big fucking problem.
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Stingrays Hockey - Recommended Reading Order
(standalone stories with interconnected characters)
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