My Hockey Alpha by Eve Above Story PDF

Chapter 0476

Nina

Enzo turned the key in the ignition, and the car roared to life. My fingers nervously tapped against the edge of my seat, as though that would somehow repair my frayed nerves.

*Do you want to go in alone, or do you want me to come with you?" Enzo asked, his voice light and gentle, which I sorely needed.

"I think I'd like for you to be with me," I said. Despite the fact that Enzo was basically a local celebrity and so was I now due to being his wife, and despite knowing that the two of us being there together was sure to turn some heads, I didn't want to go in alone.

We pulled into the parking lot of the local pharmacy. In a town as small as Mountainview, everyone knew everyone else, and the pharmacy was no different. This was bound to be an adventure because of that. The car came to a stop, and for a moment, we both just sat there, neither of us wanting to take the first step.

"Ready?" Enzo broke the silence, his eyes meeting mine.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, managing a small smile before opening the door.

The bell on the door tinkled against the glass as we walked in, and my eyes immediately darted around the store. It was relatively empty, but of course, I had to run into Carol, a woman who ran the bookshop in town. She greeted us warmly but her eyes settled on me in a way that made me feel like she knew exactly why we were there.

*Hey, Carol," I said, offering a tense smile.

*Out and about early, I see," she noted. "Anything special you're shopping for?*

*Just some essentials, Enzo answered smoothly before I could come up with something.

"Ah, well, you two take care. By the way, Nina, I'm having a book sale next weekend. Think you might be around to lend a hand?" She looked at me expectantly. I had begun volunteering more around town ever since the Crescent attack, and although most of the residents of Mountainview had no memory of the entire experience, it felt like my duty.

"Of course," I said, too eager to move on to ask for details.

continued towards the back of the store, and I felt like each step was taking an eternity. When we finally arrived at the family planning aisle, I stared at the array of pregnancy tests in front of me. I reached out tentatively and picked one up. Enzo put his hand

Nina," he

year, was manning the register. She glanced down at the test and then back up at me,

Nina, are

reflexively, as if that would somehow

so exciting! I mean, imagine, little hockey stars running

I mumbled, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

was a flame of embarrassment. Enzo chuckled softly, his eyes dancing as he looked at

entire town was watching me buy that test,"

walk out with your

said, his voice soft but

headed back to the car. Before we could drive away from the parking lot, though, Enzo turned to me

threw up this moming, remember? And

"One more stop before

"Where?" I asked, intrigued.

see," he answered

down the streets of our small town, the air light with the scent of spring. The atmosphere smelled like fresh flowers and clean, warm air, but even then, it felt strange to be out and about given the emotional rollercoaster we were on. But Enzo led the way, and when we turned the comer, there it was: the local cafe that had been a staple for as long as I had

warm aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped us. It was a sanctuary

said, giving me a gentle nudge towards

with cream cheese and a large black coffee-comfort food for an unsettling morning. We took our orders outside, choosing a table tucked away in the corner,

few bites, the food and coffee already lifting some of the heaviness inside me.* You've been really understanding, especially

across the table and held my hand. "Nina, it's okay. I know now, and that's

touch was soothing, warm, and