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

175

Chapery 163

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.”

faster. The tension I had expected was nowhere to be found

remembered that you like banana nut, so

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

and he nodded appreciatively.

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

“Of

you need

a deep breath before launching into her plan. “I believe, Timothy, that you have a more sensible approach to things than Stella. You might be able to handle the estate dispute better. What if

but I don’t have the authority to make decisions. for Stella. I’m her fiancé, not her husband. Any decision I

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

–

2/5

A

11:29 Mon, 25 Mar

Chapter 163

Convince her to give you the authorization

suggestion. “It’s not something I can just ask her, which

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

Scarlett chimed in. “Less time worrying about legal matters means more time worrying about the wedding. And

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

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

washed over me, and I managed a grateful smile. “Thank you, Timothy.

nodded, her eyes filled with determination. “Let’s hope this can be the turning point we’ve been looking for. If

we sat there, the tension from earlier in the evening seemed to dissipate, replaced by a more comfortable atmosphere. Timothy leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing. “You know,” he said, “I’m

the change of subject. “Yes, let’s. I could use

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 weren’t so

3/5

Chapter 163

for our 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 we could spend hours chatting about everything and

couldn’t help but smile as I listened to him laugh. He had been looking more worn out with each week, but just an hour of laughter and food seemed to bring that healthy glow back

now,” I said absently, my gaze tracing over his features as he drank from

nostalgia in his eyes.