7. Natalie

NATALIE

I"m halfway back to my place when my phone starts ringing. I glance at the screen, half-expecting it to be Emile checking that I made it home, but it"s just Louis. I let it go to voicemail, not really feeling like talking right now. He probably just wants to discuss something about the opening, but when my lips are still tingling from Luc"s kiss, and my heart is racing like I just ran a marathon, I can't focus on anything beyond trying to calm down. I can"t believe I let myself get caught up like that. What was I thinking? This guy and I are oil and water, and I was stupid to entertain the idea of us mixing.

I pull into the parking garage of my building and sit parked in my spot for a moment, my head resting against the back of my seat. With my eyes closed, I replay the kiss in my mind, the way Luc"s hands felt on my body, the way his lips and tongue moved against mine. It was like nothing I"ve ever experienced before.

But then I remember the flash of the camera, the way Luc chased after the photographer like he was ashamed to be seen with me. And just like that, the magic of the moment is shattered.

I sigh, getting out of the car and heading inside. I need a drink. Or ten.

As I"m pouring myself a generous glass of wine, my phone starts ringing again. Louis again. I consider continuing to ignore it, but it might be important, and I know he"ll just keep calling until I answer.

"Louis?" I say, taking a large gulp of wine.

"How was Emile's first game? Is he OK? I saw the highlights, and that boy took a hit."

"Oh! He"s fine, Louis. He's a hockey player, remember? They"re used to getting hit. It"s kind of in the job description," I say, smiling to myself as I repeat a line Emile's used on me many a time like I wasn't in a panic myself at the time.

Louis chuckles. "I know. I know. But I worry about the kid."

I smile, my thumb moving against the rim of my wineglass. "Me too. But if it helps ease your mind, I just got home from the team celebration. He was in high spirits and partying it up with the rest of them."

"A party? How was it? Did you…enjoy any hot hockey players?" Louis asks, his voice teasing.

I nearly choke on my wine. If only he knew. "It was fine," I say, trying to keep my voice neutral. "Just a typical team celebration."

"Uh-ah, you"re lying. Spill it now, Natalie Jane DuPont. Did you and Luc Bouchard finally kiss and make up?" Louis"s radar is better than I thought.

"Actually, something did kinda happen." I sigh, taking another sip of wine. "But you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially not Emile."

"Cross my heart," Louis says solemnly. "What happened..or kinda did?"

I take a deep breath. "I kissed Luc."

There"s a pause on the other end of the line. Then, "Holy shit. I was totally joking about the kiss and make up part, but wow. OK. How was it?"

I can"t help but laugh. Trust Louis to focus on the important details. "It was... intense."

"I bet. That man looks like he knows his way around a woman"s body."

"Louis!" I choke on my wine.

"What? I"m just saying. So, what happened next?"

Swallowing hard, I clutch my glass against my chest as I prepare myself to spill the beans. "A photographer caught us, then Luc chased after him and forced him to delete the photos."

"OK, and?"

"And then he came back, and I left."

"You left? Why?"

"Because he was clearly embarrassed to be seen with me!" I exclaim, my voice rising. "He ran after that photographer like his life depended on it. Like the idea of anyone knowing we kissed was the worst thing that could happen to him. He really didn't want those photos getting out."

"Oh, honey," Louis croons. "I"m sure that"s not it. Maybe he just wanted to keep things private."

"Private? Louis, he"s a professional hockey player. His life is about as public as it gets. If he didn't want that photo getting out, it's because I don't suit his image."

"Or… and try to stay with me here. It's because not everything is one hundred percent about you. And maybe he just doesn't want his every intimate moment splashed across the tabloids."

I pause, considering his words. "I don"t know," I say finally, draining the last of my wine. "It"s just... it"s complicated. He"s Emile"s captain, and I"m just the annoying sister who got in the way of his morning skate."

"Nat, stop. You"re not just the annoying sister. You"re an entrepreneur, a catch, and if Luc can"t see that, then he"s an idiot. But, honestly, I've seen the chemistry between you two, and I don't think he's an idiot."

"So, what you're saying is that I should probably talk to him."

"You should definitely talk to him." I sigh. I hate it when Louis is right.

"All right. I guess I can try talking to him again. But, Louis, if it blows up in my face one more time, then I'm out, OK?"

"Sounds perfectly fair, babe. Now, put it all out of your mind and get some rest. You"ve got a restaurant to ready in the morning."

We say our goodbyes and I hang up, now left alone again with my thoughts. Maybe Louis is right and Luc was just trying to keep his private life private. But at the same time, I'm scared that I was right. That he was embarrassed to be caught kissing a chubby chef instead of the model-like puck bunnies that follow the team around.

I mean, I never claimed to be a supermodel. I'm curvy in all the right places and a lot of the wrong ones. And that's fine with me, but it doesn't exactly make me feel confident when faced with the likes of Luc Bouchard, who could have anyone he wanted on his arm.

But as Louis said, I"m a catch, damn it, and if Luc can't see that, well then…

…then I don't know what I'll do. But it won't be pretty…