What Are The Odds?: A college hockey romance. (Phil-U Book 1)

Grace

Levi’s firm grip held me steady as we walked into the family living space. It literally took my breath away. The large, modern kitchen faced the lounge area. The main feature was an insanely large window, which was framed by black timber. It overlooked the picture-perfect landscape, making it feel as though we were amongst the mountains. A long, timber table ran the length of the island bench. There had to be at least a dozen chairs around it. Levi’s mum saw us first. She’d been standing beside the gigantic island, her attention focussed on an iPad. Unlike Levi and Lana, Deb Holloway had blonde hair. It was pinned back from her face in a low bun. She looked too young to be the mother of two almost-adult children. She set the iPad down.

“Grace.” A familiar smile transitioned her face. “How lovely to meet you.”

“You too.”

She pulled me in for a hug, her slim body wrapping around mine. Over her shoulder, Levi caught my gaze and winked.

“Rick,” Deb called out. “Come here. Levi is back with Grace.”

A tall man with the same broad shoulders and defined jawline as Levi strolled out of what I assumed was a butler’s pantry. He smiled broadly, the creases around his eyes deepening.

“Hi, Grace. I’m Rick. It’s great to have you here.”

“Thank you for having me,” I returned. “Your house is amazing.”

Levi placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Water would be great. Thank you.”

My mouth felt incredibly dry. It was stupid to be this nervous, but I couldn’t help it. This moment was intimidating. I wanted Levi’s family to like me.

‘I love your accent, Grace,” Deb said, smiling fondly. “Rick and I honeymooned in Australia.”

“Really?” The common ground was a good conversation starter. “Where did you visit?”

“Sydney of course. Then Melbourne and Queensland.”

“How basic,” Lana said. “They’re, like, the most mainstream places, mum.”

Deb arched an eyebrow at Lana, who was sitting on the island bench, picking at the bunch of grapes in the fruit bowl. Rick pulled Deb against his side, tucking his arm around her waist.

“Levi mentioned you’re a swimmer.”

I nodded. “I’ve been swimming as long as Levi’s been skating, I suppose.”

“Grace can’t skate,” Levi said, throwing me under the bus.

Rick playfully chastised me. “Now that we can’t have.”

With an amused roll of her eyes, Deb pinched Rick’s stomach.

“You’ll have to borrow Lana’s skates so Levi can give you a lesson, Grace. Knowing how to skate is a rite of passage in this family.”

I guess it was a good thing she wanted me to learn then.