Genre: Sweet Friends-to-Lovers Hockey Romance

It’s true that hockey players break hearts.
Sometimes, it’s their own.

Taylor Ranford has three immediate goals: have a blast on her birthday cruise with her sister, help Team USA win the international cheerleading title, and earn enough money to put her through grad school. Not part of the plan: her sister getting sick and sending her best friend—and Taylor’s longtime crush—in her place. She can't face the only guy she’s ever had feelings for treating her like she's his little sister when she really wants so much more.

After a big blow to his career—and his ego—and with no immediate plans for the next season, Kingston Brewer jumps at the opportunity to go on a last-minute cruise with the bouncy-ponytailed cheerleading coach. Taylor had always been there when he needed her most, and he holds a soft spot for her in his heart. But after a few days on the ship, Kingston begins to see Taylor as more than just his best friend’s little sister.

Just when he thinks they can explore a future together, Kingston gets THE call from his agent. Now he has to make one of the most difficult choices in his personal and professional life. Will he give up the professional chance of a lifetime for a chance with the girl he’s fallen head-over-skates for?

Excerpt

From Chapter 17, in Taylor’s point of view…

Kingston grabbed my hand and spun us around so that he was skating backward. I reached for his other hand and grabbed it, spinning us again until he was pulling me at high speed. I squealed in delight as the people blurred in my peripheral.

He was grinning at me stupidly, and I’m sure I wore a similar expression. I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I just waggled my eyebrows at him. He spun us again and guided me into his arms, facing outward. His warm breath on my neck brought back the goosebumps and sent a shiver down my back.

“I’ve got a birthday gift for you,” he whispered. “I was going to wait until dinner, but I don’t want to.” His hands dropped to my waist, and we glided to the gate.

“Then I don’t want to wait.” I pressed my lips to his. We found a bench and changed back into our shoes. With a quick wave to the others, we left the recreation area and headed back to our room.

“When did you have time to get me a gift?” I asked breathlessly as I tried to keep up with him. Where had he found this much energy after all the physical activity we’d exerted today?

“I’m sneaky like that.” He flashed a grin and tugged me into the cabin, spinning me so that I was pressed against the door.

Kingston bent his head down, and I lifted to my toes to meet his lips. I closed my eyes, savoring every light, feathery brush of his kiss.

I looked past him and saw that the dresser was dotted in red rose petals. On a tray, a vase of red roses sat next to a champagne bottle chilled in an ice bin. A card leaned against the vase, and as I reached for it, Kingston scooped up the skinny, silver-wrapped rectangular box with a big red bow.

“Happy birthday, Taylor.”

I took the box and sat on the bed, grinning stupidly. I was almost afraid to open it. I was sure it was jewelry, but I wasn’t sure what that meant.

“Just open it. I hope you like it.”

I untied the bow and slid the satiny ribbon off the box. Carefully, I worked at the paper until it released from the box. I wasn’t normally a sentimental person, but a gut feeling told me I’d want to keep it as a memento. And the bow. And maybe a few dried roses, too.

I glanced up at him as I lifted the top of the box. He nodded, and I returned my attention to the gift. Inside, on a delicate chain, was a strip of silver tied into a bow.

“Oh, wow. I love it. Thank you.”

He kissed me again and reached for the card. “I got this for you before we left. I should have gotten you another card.”

“You’re the sweetest.” I opened the envelope. Inside was a year’s subscription for audiobooks. “This is perfect! Thank you!” Another kiss. I didn’t think I could ever get enough kisses from this guy.

He pulled away and looked at me seriously. “I don’t know how to do this, Taylor. I’ve never had a serious girlfriend. I . . . I want us to be serious. You want that, too, right?”

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About the Author

Kerry Evelyn is a native of the Massachusetts SouthCoast. She loves God, books of all kinds, traveling, taking selfies, sweet drinks, boy bands, and escaping into her imagination, where every child is happy and healthy, every house has a library, and her hubby wears coattails and a top hat 24/7.She is an instructor, mentor, and speaker, author of the Crane’s Cove series, small town romance set in Downeast Maine a Guest Author for the Cat's Paw Cove Romance world, and several short stories.

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