Bears Hockey II

I have one goal: To be the best hockey player I can be. I’m not going to waste the opportunity I have. All my focus is on hockey. I avoid distractions like women and relationships during the hockey season, but when a quirky subway busker asks me out on a fake date, somehow I’m intrigued enough to accept.

Emerie Ross

I gave up my music dreams to look after my half-sister. I don’t want her to feel as alone and neglected as I did after our mother died. But my ex-boyfriend is still trying to win me back and now my stepfather is helping him. Gah! I’d rather drink bleach than marry Roman Moretti. If they think I’m involved with someone else, maybe they’ll give up on that idea. All I need is a man…a date for a party.

Owen

When Emerie introduces me to her wicked stepfather (ha) I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. He’s my boss—the man who owns the team I play for. And he’s not happy to see me with Emerie. Can you say career ending move?

Emerie

Oops. I hate hockey. How was I supposed to know who Owen is? How are we going to keep Vince from trading him away? How am I going to make sure I stay happily un-married? We’re going to have to keep up this pretense even if it means me going to hockey games. Ugh. Even if it means disrupting Owen’s rigid routines. Even if it means everything gets a lot more complicated…

Brandon Smith

Keep it easy. Keep it fun. Never hold on. That sums up my relationship goals, with hockey teams and with women. I learned early on that love and family equals fights and heartache. So I’m always moving on to the next team, the next hookup, before things turn sour.

When I meet Lola at a tropical beachside bar, it’s the perfect set up for a little hot vacation sex. She’s gorgeous, funny, and most importantly, leaving for home tomorrow. But this time, I have a sinking feeling I’ll be sorry to see her go.

Lola McGrath

I knew after that night in Aruba I’d never see Brandon again. That’s fine; I’m too busy vying for the corner office to make time for relationships. But when our paths cross again in New York, our sizzling attraction leads to “just one more night”. Then another. And another.

We never meant to become friends with this many benefits. Especially the one neither of us ever expected—or thought we wanted.

Delaying treatment for my bum knee until the off season isn’t the smartest move, but hey, I’m a big dumb jock. And pro hockey players play, come hell or broken bones.

That stupid knee sends me sprawling in front of the prettiest lady in Central Park. She’s also smart, and kind, and she bonds with my young daughter Quinn over strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Can’t hurt to ask her out for coffee, right?

Carly

There aren’t many options for a laid-off au pair in New York City. I can’t live on couch surfing, ranty blogging, and less ranty freelance articles forever, but I won’t work with kids again. It’s too painful when it ends.

But coffee with a single dad can’t hurt, right? Maybe a second date. Heck, why not make it one steamy night in his bed? But when Nate has to go under the knife, he asks me to help care for his daughter. I don’t want to be a nanny again, but I can’t turn him down. I’ll just have to keep my guard up to protect my heart.

My holiday plans? Boxed wine, flannel pajamas, and Netflix minus the “chill”. I hadn’t planned on getting off my apathy until after New Years—until I accidentally crash into my ex’s new girlfriend’s car. But it’s the motivation I need to flee to my Aunt Nora’s place in NYC for Christmas.

Colliding with a typically grouchy New Yorker isn’t my best foot forward. But sweet Jesus on a cracker, he’s a lickable, Viking-size hunk of hotness. As we somehow keep running into each other, I begin to believe I can shed the hurt and humiliation and be fearless.

Nils Axelsson

My holiday plans? Spending my hockey team’s break alone. My friend Nora, however, won’t let me escape her vortex of holiday cheer, and I find myself agreeing to take her niece to a Rockettes show.

I was expecting an awkward teenager in braces, but it’s the same woman who plowed into me in the elevator. A knock-me-sideways stunning blonde whose beauty and kindness hits me like a puck to the chest. The more time I spend with her, the more I want as much as I can get before she has to go back home. Unless I can give her a reason to stay.