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.”

had gone out of his way to make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung.

a haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled, with

and toast it is.” He set the mixing bowl aside and reached for

the eggs into a bowl and started whisking them, Stella watched him with a look that bordered on

the edge of his patience fraying. “I’m trying,

narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m sure you’re

the eggs and plated them with a side of sliced avocado. He placed the dish in front of Stella, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. “Here you go, just like you

as she savored the food. “Mmm, not bad,” she

had paid off,

air between them remained charged with an unspoken tension. Timothy couldn’t help but wonder if his attempts to please Stella

Stella meant less trouble for Evie, it seemed.

O

away from Stella, not Timothy. It wasn’t the win

cater to her preferences, and he

with an argument, especially

against her lips. “You can make it up to me by

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

edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to start planning it right now.

and resignation. He had agreed to them having

it usually the maid of honor

quick. “Timothy, this is our wedding, and I want everything to be perfect. I need to be

that arguing with Stella about this

her earlier anger.

scrambled eggs

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Chapter 166

bite,

her brow furrowing in puzzlement at the caller ID. She quickly silenced the ringer and shot a nervous

that?” Timothy asked, his voice tinged with a hint

fingers absently tapping the edge of her phone. “Just

eyebrow. “Business call? Is

around the room, avoiding Timothy’s penetrating stare.

“You look pretty nervous