Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

And just like that, I remember exactly why I hate being away from her. Why the sound of her voice in my ear beats the roar of a stadium crowd. Why every second without her feels too long.

Her eyes bounce between me, Cam, the oven, then me again — like she’s trying to confirm that this isn’t some post–lack–of–sleep hallucination. “You’re… how are you back already?” she breathes, setting the bowl down with both hands, careful like she’s still grounding herself.

I step toward her, slower than I want to.

“Surprise,” I murmur, voice rougher than I meant it to be. Like I’ve been carrying the weight of missing her for miles and only just got to let it go.

LIAM

“I thought you were flying back tomorrow.”

“Got in early,” I say, my voice quieter now that we’re close. “Didn’t feel like waiting another day to see you.”

Her eyes flick up to mine. There’s colour blooming across her cheeks, but she doesn’t look away. Not yet.

Then – of course

Cam decides to speak. “Wow. I’m also here, by the way. In case anyone cares.”

I sigh, not even turning. “We don’t.”

“You could at least fake it. A little enthusiasm wouldn’t kill either of you.”

Emilia huffs out a short laugh, clearly trying to rein herself back in. “Hi, Cam,” she says, glancing past me. “Sorry, I was just… surprised.”

“It’s not a bad surprise, is it?” I ask.

She presses her bottom lip between her teeth, like she’s trying to hold something back. “No. It’s not.”

That’s all I need.

I close the gap between us before I can think twice. Her apron’s dusted with flour, hair twisted up in that no–nonsense way she hates. There’s batter on her jaw and sweat at her temple, and I don’t care about any of it. I’ve missed her.

Her hands hover in the space between us for a second, then land on my chest.

“I’m literally covered in flour,” she mutters.

“Still hot.”

She groans. But she doesn’t pull away when I wrap my arms around her. Doesn’t move when I press my face into her hair. Just sinks into me with this soft, shaky exhale.

“You’ve no idea how much I’ve missed this,” I whisper.

“You saw me five days ago.”

“Five too many.” I breathe her in. That warm scent that clings to her skin – vanilla and heat and something sweeter I can never name. It’s already stuck in my lungs, and I don’t want it gone.

She smiles against my shoulder. Her fingers fist in my hoodie.

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