The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 163

As I sat across from Scarlett in the dimly lit corner booth of a cozy downtown restaurant, I couldn’t help but feel a storm of emotions brewing within me. She had called me earlier that day, asking if I could meet her and Timothy to discuss things over dinner. I agreed, though the thought of meeting Timothy face to face made my stomach churn with unease.

As I fiddled nervously with the menu in my hands, I couldn’t help but wonder if

right, but the anxiety he’d seen the email yet. It would look odd if I asked him out was eating away at me.

Scarlett, on the other hand, was a master at composure. She had been freaking out back at my apartment, but here she was looking straight–laced as usual. She was determined to stay one step ahead, even after what I had done.

I looked across the table at Scarlett, her hair illuminated by the soft candlelight. She was sipping on a glass of red wine, her eyes fixed on the entrance. My heart pounded in my chest, and I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

“Scarlett, are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

She turned her gaze toward me, her expression sympathetic. “Evie, trust me. I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t think it could help. Besides, he needs to know that you’re on his side too.

I sighed, my anxiety still gnawing at me. “I just don’t know, Scarlett.”

Before she could respond, the restaurant’s door swung open, and in walked Timothy.

He looked different from the last time I had seen him. His messy brown hair had been cut shorter, and he the scruffy beard that he’d been growing was cleanly shaved off. He wore a worn leather jacket and had a slight hesitation in his step as he scanned the room, searching for us.

Scarlett waved him over, and as he approached our table, my heart rate skyrocketed. Timothy’s eyes met mine, and I could see a mixture of emotions flicker across his face–surprise, uncertainty, and perhaps even affection.

“Hi, Scarlett,” he said briskly, then looked to me on the other side of the booth. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I felt like time had stopped. The tension was

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palpable as he took the seat beside me.

“Hey, Evie,” he said, his voice soft and sincere, “it’s good to see you again. How have you been?”

I tried to muster a smile, the corners of my lips twitching awkwardly. “I’ve been… okay. How about you?”

He let out a sigh, though his lips curled with a smile. “I’ve been hanging in there.”

was nowhere to be

banana nut, so I figured

creep up my cheeks. “Oh, um… it was good,” I said, trying to keep my

amusement, and he nodded appreciatively. “Good to hear. I trust your

the conversation, interjected, “Well, now that we’ve broken the ice, I think it’s time to get down to

head. “Of course, Scarlett. What

you need

approach to things than Stella. You might be able to handle

appreciate your confidence in me, but I don’t have the authority to make decisions. for Stella. I’m her fiancé,

words struck a chord within me. There was a glimmer of possibility in what he had just said the notion that Stella could authorize him to make decisions on her behalf. An idea began to form, and I felt

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Chapter 163

tentatively, “could you talk to Stella? Convince her to give you the authorization to

furrowed his brow, clearly weighing the implications of my suggestion. “It’s not something I can just

bit my lip, desperation clawing at my chest. “Don’t look at it as you taking something away from her. You would simply persuade her into granting you temporary authority over certain decisions, just so she won’t have

in. “Less time worrying about legal matters means more time worrying about the wedding. And it makes you look like a responsible man

in the air as Timothy considered our proposal. Scarlett watched us both intently, her eyes flicking between our faces. The weight of the situation seemed to press down on us, the outcome hanging

an eternity, Timothy let out a sigh. “I’ll talk to her. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try my best to

and I managed a grateful smile. “Thank you, Timothy. Your willingness to help means the world to

this can be the turning point we’ve been looking for. If anyone can bridge this gap,

comfortable atmosphere. Timothy leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing. “You know,” he said, “I’m absolutely starving. Should we order

of subject. “Yes, let’s.

waved a waiter over, and we perused the menu, discussing our choices as if we were old friends catching up. The calming atmosphere of the restaurant and Timothy’s warmth beside me brought back memories of a time when we

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food to arrive, Scarlett shared stories of her recent ventures in marketing. Timothy and I didn’t have too many lighthearted stories to tell, so we listened closely and occasionally chuckled at her stories. For a brief moment, it felt like we were back to the days when

couldn’t help but smile as I listened to him laugh. He had been looking more worn out with each week,

absently, my gaze tracing

of nostalgia in his eyes. “Well, you still