The Hockey Star’s Remorse

TIMOTHY POV

Timothy had never been much of a chef. He could whip up something decent, much like he had when he’d cooked for Evie, but that was a loving gesture fueled by his own need to impress her. He had to impress Evie in other ways now, which included getting on Stella’s good side and getting her to sign those authorization

papers.

With a newfound determination, Timothy stood in Stella’s apartment, a mismatched apron hanging awkwardly from his tall frame, and a mixing bowl in one hand. He had brought the ingredients for pancakes, imagining that a homemade breakfast would impress her. Pancakes seemed like a safe choice simple, delicious, and universally beloved.

–

Stella watched him with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, her arms folded across her chest. He had let himself in, attempting to surprise her, but he hadn’t known she was an early riser. “What are you doing?” she asked.

Timothy tried to keep his enthusiasm from waning as he held up the mixing bowl. “I’m making you breakfast,” he declared with a smile.

Stella raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smirk. “Really? You’re cooking for me?”

He nodded. “Yep. Thought I’d surprise you.”

Stella’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she sauntered over, her gaze fixed on the contents of the bowl. “Well, I’m intrigued. What’s on the menu?”

“Pancakes,” Timothy replied hesitantly, watching her response closesly.

Her expression quickly shifted from joy to annoyance as she saw Timothy

preparing the pancake batter. She put her hands on her hips, her annoyance clear. “Pancakes? Seriously?”

Timothy blinked, his heart sinking at the abrupt change in her demeanor. “Uh, yeah. Is that a problem?”

Stella sighed, her irritation becoming more pronounced. “I don’t eat carbs, Timothy. I’ve told you that before.”

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Chapter 166

He felt his frustration bubbling beneath the surface but forced a tight smile. He didn’t recall hearing that at all. “Right. But I thought maybe just this once…”

She interrupted him with a sharp gesture. “No, Timothy. I don’t make exceptions when it comes to my diet.”

make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung.

a haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled, with some avocado

is.” He set the mixing bowl

look that bordered on smug satisfaction. “You really should pay more

fraying. “I’m trying,

her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh,

side of sliced avocado.

softening slightly as she savored the food. “Mmm,

glad that his efforts had paid off,

Stella were worth the frustration and anger that seemed to be a constant undercurrent in their, interactions. He kept Evie has his driving

Stella meant less trouble for Evie, it seemed.

O

had forced Evie to stay away from Stella, not Timothy. It wasn’t the win that Stella thought it was, and he was

that Timothy had to cater to her preferences, and he

He hated the idea of starting the day with an argument, especially after his attempt to make

for a moment, tapping a finger against her lips. “You can make it up to me by letting me throw a wedding shower for

request. A wedding shower? It wasn’t what he had expected, but

words carried an edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to

brainstormed ideas and started jotting down plans, Timothy couldn’t help but feel a mixture of relief and resignation. He had agreed to them having a wedding

“isn’t it usually the maid of

need to be in control

arguing with Stella about this wouldn’t get

was lighthearted, a stark contrast to her earlier anger. “Don’t

her breakfast of scrambled eggs and avocado and seemed

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Chapter 166

overall. As she took the last bite, a sudden vibration from her phone.

glanced at her phone, her brow furrowing in puzzlement at the caller ID. She quickly silenced the ringer and shot a nervous glance in Timothy’s direction. He met

his voice tinged with a

absently tapping the edge of her

raised an eyebrow. “Business

Timothy’s penetrating stare. “It’s nothing, really. Just a

his skepticism. “You look pretty nervous