46. Darcy

CHAPTER 46

DARCY

"You should wear red more," Alexei says halfway through dinner, and beside me, Hayden tenses.

Tonight was a huge mistake. I should have checked with him before agreeing to go out with Alexei. He clearly doesn't want me dating another one of his friends in case it gets messy like it did with Kit.

But also, this is my date, and he's the one who wanted to come along.

"Thanks." I tilt my chin at Georgia. "Georgia knows all the good places to shop. And it's fun to wear something outside my comfort zone."

"The doctor is a pro at spending money." Alexei leans back, staring pointedly at her shoes.

She rolls her eyes, then turns back to me. "We'll have to go again. I need a dress for Streicher and Pippa's wedding."

Right. It's in a month, during the week between the season ending and the first round of playoffs.

Hayden and I look at each other, and his expression softens. I give him a reassuring smile to show him I'm fine, that I'm looking forward to it.

"I love weddings." Georgia wears a wistful expression. "I can't wait for theirs."

"I'll bet." Alexei sips his drink. "A hockey player and a famous singer? It'll be like a rich guy meat market for you. You'll finally catch one of your own."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'll never get married." She sends him a knowing smirk, like she knows his secrets. "Be nice to me, Russian, or I won't help you up when you throw your hip out on the dance floor."

"I'm not going. I don't do weddings. And you're the one who resigned from being my doctor."

"Unlike some doctors, I don't have a God complex. I know when my patient is a lost cause."

"Maybe you're not a very good doctor, because I feel stronger than ever."

Her gaze hardens. "Retire."

"No."

Georgia's hand flinches on the table, like she's about to reach for her knife.

The server comes by to clear plates, and the weird energy at the table dissolves. I glance at Hayden—his jaw is tight, his shoulders look tense, and his attention shifts between Alexei and me.

"Are you okay?" I whisper. My gaze catches on the dark circles under his eyes, and there's a pang of sympathy in my chest. "It's okay if you want to go home early."

"I'm not leaving." He glares at Alexei, who smirks.

"I'll make sure she gets home okay," he tells Hayden. "Eventually."

"I'm your wingman," Hayden says, focus still on Alexei. "And I'm not letting you out of my sight."

Something plucks in my chest. He's using the same tone of voice he used the other night. A little longer , he said, eyes on me while I rode out the pleasure. As long as you can take it .

"Darcy," Alexei interrupts, leaning in, studying me. "You have something in your hair."

I bring a hand to my hair and brush through it, but Alexei catches my wrist, gentle but firm.

"I'll get it," he says.

Hayden sucks in a sharp breath.

While Alexei picks out whatever's stuck in my hair, Hayden glares at him, knee bouncing and jaw tight.

"Huh." Alexei frowns. "I thought I saw a piece of the flowers from earlier. You know, the ones I got you."

"Oh." I blink. "Okay."

"I guess I was wrong." Alexei smiles at me.

In an explosive flash, Hayden's on his feet, grabbing my hand. I open my mouth to ask what he's doing, but he's already pulling me to my feet. He whips out his wallet and drops a couple of bills on the table before hauling me out of Alexei's proximity.

Alexei just smiles after us.

"Date's over," Hayden bites out. "We're going home."