Read Online Just In Time: An Alaskan Nights Novel by Addison Fox - Free Book Online Page B

first genuine smile he’d see since getting home. “And I figured I’d give you enough credit not to make a big deal about it.”
    Her words caught him up short and he marveled at the insight she’d managed to have at eighteen. He’d dated plenty of women over the years—some more successfully than others—and every single one had shared something in common.
    All of them got territorial when another woman came into view.
    Although he’d never been ready to commit to a life with any of them, he was a one-woman man. If he was dating, he was committed, and he’d never insult a woman by cheating on her.
    How was it that Avery had understood that at such a young age, and women far more world-weary hadn’t?
    “I knew, too, if it makes you feel any better,” Mick said.
    “You knew because I told you.”
    “No.” Mick shook his head. “I knew before that. Not much was a secret in our pea-sized high school.”
    “Yet you allowed me to face my fate alone.”
    “I was probably up in the air when it all came down.”
    “Likely story.”
    Roman couldn’t stop the smile, the good-natured ribbing and memories of a far-simpler time too nice to resist. He’d been lucky through the years, making some good, lasting friendships in the NHL, but none of them was as long-standing—or as solid—as what he had with Mick and Walker.
    Avery, too, he realized.
    She’d been there from the first.
    Which was why leaving her behind years ago was the only answer.
    •   •   •
    Avery smiled when the bright morning sun and cool breeze greeted her as she, Mick and Roman walked through the door of the café. Whatever bad mood she’d come in with, the pancakes and good conversation had gone a long way toward assuaging it. She realized that this was the first time since Roman had arrived back in town that their time together had been comfortable and easy instead of mired in thoughts of the past.
    And even more enjoyable than she’d remembered.
    While it had become habit to think about all the years they’d missed together, she couldn’t help but be glad for the new moments they were able to share. Which had to be the reason for her tragic mistake.
    “Do you guys want to go with me to the rink?” Roman asked. “I want to check it out before seeing the kids. Mort was supposed to meet me, but Myrtle shared the unfortunate news that something on the wedding menu didn’t agree with him.”
    Mick lifted a take-out carton, a grimace on his face. “I’ve got to get these pancakes home and then out to the airstrip. I’ve got a late-morning run to Fairbanks.”
    “I’ll go.” Avery shrugged, unable to resist that warm, green gaze. “Susan doesn’t need me back until lunch.”
    “Good.”
    Avery saw Roman’s satisfied nod—along with Mick’s momentary hesitation—before Mick spoke. “You still in for poker tonight?”
    “You still prepared to lose?”
    “Jackass.”
    “Count on it.”
    The two shook hands and offered up a few more insults before Mick headed for his SUV.
    Avery at least gave Roman the courtesy of waiting until Mick was out of earshot. “You suck at poker.”
    “Not anymore.”
    “You understand the game and you bet well, but you have no poker face. At all.”
    “Like I said, I’m better now.”
    “That’s not a skill you change, Roman. It’s like eye color or black hair. You are who you are and either you have a poker face or you don’t.”
    He gestured her forward down Main Street and in the direction of the town rink. “I beg to differ. You get your ass kicked enough times and you figure out how to stop getting it kicked. It’s survival instinct, pure and simple.”
    His words held an odd measure of truth and she couldn’t resist looking at his profile as they walked. The bright sun kept part of him in silhouette, but the side of his face that she could see was more guarded than when they’d been kids.
    Tougher.
    And sexier than ever.
    Had he developed a poker face? Or had he simply