Checked – Elise Faber

She hadn’t been avoiding them, per se, so much as being so into whatever thoughts were going through her head that her gaze hadn’t much drifted up past her menu or plate or hands. When he’d ordered for her, she’d given him a brief smile, though those eyes were still distant, and the same went for when their server had brought their food and drinks.

Aware of the outside world and yet not really. But he didn’t mind the quiet. He’d come to appreciate the fact that Rebecca didn’t need to fill the silence with conversation. “Gabe,” she murmured, then immediately bit her lip, worry creeping into the edges of her expression. “I know four months was a long time.” He reached across the table to take her hands in his.

“We’ve spent a lot of time getting to know each other,” he murmured. “We were both careful, and that was a good thing.” Head tilting to the side, she asked, “Careful how?” “Careful to keep things light between us. To get to know each other slowly and easily without bringing up a lot of the stuff that”—a squeeze —“would have complicated the process.”

She frowned and so he hurried on. “I’ve spent more time with you than most women in my life, and yet I don’t know much about your upbringing or family. I know your preferred type of tea, the brand of chocolate you indulge in. I know that you dislike orange juice with pulp even though it’s better for you, and I know your favorite pair of jeans is embroidered with tiny blue flowers.” His heart was pounding, but he kept talking.

“I know so much about you, and yet I don’t know the why.” She turned her hands over in his, lacing their fingers together. That worry no longer just on the edges of her face. “It’s all been superficial.” Gabe winced. “No. I didn’t mean—” A shake of her head. “Sorry, poor word choice. I understand it’s important you know the small things, and I agree that I know the same about you.

I guess . . . I mean, we both shared the stuff we were willing, but a lot of our walls are still there.” “Yes.” He couldn’t argue with that. She sighed. “I don’t know if I can do this, Gabe.” His heart sank and he started to lean back, fingers separating. “No,” she said, tilting forward, keeping their hands together. “I don’t mean it like that. You’re wonderful. I just—” Her gaze dropped to the table. “I never thought I would be able to be in a relationship.”

“What? How?” He released one hand, cupped her cheek. “You’re beautiful and smart and—” “Have crippling anxiety,” she murmured. “Don’t forget that fact. I should think it’s one you’re well-familiar with by now.” “Therapy helped. I’ve gotten a lot better,” she said.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

CHECKED Copyright © 2020 Elise Faber Print ISBN-13: 978-1-946140-36-4 Ebook ISBN-13: 978-1-946140-50-0 Cover Art by Jena Brignola 1kitap1.com/en GOLD HOCKEY SERIES Blocked Backhand Boarding Benched Breakaway Breakout Checked Coasting 1kitap1.com/en CONTENTS Gold Hockey Series Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Epilogue Epilogue Coasting Gold Hockey Series Gold Hockey Also by Elise Faber About the Author 1kitap1.com/en PROLOGUE 1kitap1.com/en Nutritionist Rebecca SHE’D BEEN TRYING to slip by the happy couple without ruining the romantic moment Kevin had planned for Bex.

But they were right by the front door, and they’d see her if she moved forward. And the guys were behind her, along with the girls. All of whom were perfectly lovely people. But she’d reached her limit on socializing for the day. Thus her pinned-in position in the hall. She was desperate to be out of here, more than desperate to get back to her empty and quiet house, slip into her pajamas, and watch Hallmark movies through the night.

God, life was so much simpler in Hallmark movies. Kevin jumped up and kissed Bex and when it seemed as though they were fully distracted, Rebecca made her move, slipping past them on quiet feet and opening the front door. She’d just begun to close it quietly when a hand shot through the opening and prevented the door from shutting.

Rebecca didn’t scream because Kev and Bex were still only feet away, but she also didn’t scream because her body already knew who it was. Her traitorous body, that was. Gabe pushed through the opening and quietly closed the door behind him. “You’re leaving,” he said. Nope. Not doing this.

Ignoring him, Rebecca turned and started for her car. She’d purposely parked it where she wouldn’t be blocked in. Girl scout, she was. Always planning ahead. Always running. “Rebecca.”

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

Book Information

• Unique ID: 1713a1e2d1727814
• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 1,301,482 bytes (1.241 MB)
• Title: –
• Author: Unknown
• ISBN: 9781946140364, 9781946140500
• Pages: 177
• Language: English (en)

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• Estimated Reading Time: 203.1 minutes
• Total Words: 40,621
• Total Characters: 224,791
• Average Words per Page: 229.5
• Average Characters per Page: 1270.01

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