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.”

special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung. “Okay, fine,” he

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

a sigh of frustration. “Alright, eggs and toast it is.” He set the mixing bowl aside and reached for the eggs in the refrigerator, his

him with a look that bordered on smug satisfaction. “You really should pay more attention to

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

voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m

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

took a bite, her expression softening slightly as she savored the food. “Mmm, not bad,” she admitted, her

that his efforts had paid off, albeit grudgingly. “I’m glad

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

meant less trouble for Evie, it seemed. Besides,

O

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

it clear that Timothy had to cater to her preferences, and he complied for now, albeit begrudgingly. It was a small victory in her eyes, a way to assert

the right words. He hated the idea of starting the day with an argument, especially after his attempt to make things right. “Look,

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

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

edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to start

a mixture of relief and resignation. He had agreed to them having a wedding

he began cautiously, “isn’t it usually the maid of honor who throws the

everything to be perfect. I need

arguing with Stella about this wouldn’t get him

lighthearted, a stark contrast to her

her breakfast of scrambled eggs and

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Chapter 166

As she took the last bite,

silenced the ringer and shot a nervous glance in Timothy’s direction. He met her gaze with curiosity as the phone

Timothy asked, his voice tinged with

fingers absently tapping the edge of her phone. “Just a business call,”

an eyebrow. “Business call? Is it

avoiding Timothy’s penetrating stare. “It’s

“You look pretty nervous about