Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Hope’s POV

I stared at him for a while before a giggle escaped my lips.

“Were you listening in on our conversation?”

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Levi frowned. “I wasn’t listening in,” he muttered. “Connor’s voice is so damn loud that I couldn’t help but hear.”

I bit back another laugh.

His jaw tightened after he said Connor’s name, and he turned away from me, gaze fixed outside the windshield.

“I swear, Hope,” he started, voice lower this time, “if you’re doing all this because of your ex-”

“I’m doing this because I’m genuinely worried for your health,” I cut him off before he could even finish. The words came out firmer than I intended.

Levi looked at me then, the irritation in his eyes faltering slightly.

I sighed and leaned back against the seat.

“It did cross my mind that Connor was going to play instead of you,” I admitted honestly. “But that’s only because he’s your only replacement right now.”

He stayed quiet.

“He also needs games before the season starts,” I continued. “If you want someone capable of subbing in during actual matches, he needs experience playing with the team.”

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at him slightly.

“And you seriously need to stop playing almost two full periods every game. That’s not healthy, Levi.”

For a moment, he just stared at me. Then he asked quietly, “So you think he’s good enough to replace me?”

I hummed thoughtfully and placed my hand beneath my chin.

“Connor’s good,” I admitted. “But he’s more of an individual player right now. He still needs chemistry with the others if he wants to properly cover your position.”

Levi’s expression remained unreadable.

“But then again…” I trailed off before meeting his gaze fully. “I don’t think anyone’s actually good enough to replace you.”

“You’re kind of in your own league.”

Silence settled inside the car.

I watched as the annoyance slowly faded from his face-not completely, but enough for me to notice. The stiffness in his shoulders eased, and his gaze softened for the briefest second.

I held back a smile.

Despite being Levi Reeve-the hockey player constantly praised by fans, commentators, analysts, and practically everyone who watched him on the ice…

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Chapter 38

He still liked hearing compliments.

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It was moments like this that reminded me he was just a regular guy beneath all the fame and talent.

Levi suddenly cleared his throat and reached for the door handle.

“We’re eating,” he muttered before stepping out of the car.

My eyebrows raised before quickly following after him, hiding the smile tugging at my lips.

Golden Lotus stood before us, glowing warmly beneath the sun. The restaurant looked out of place in the middle of the business district, Surrounded by sleek glass buildings and modern storefronts, its vintage exterior felt strangely nostalgic. Warm lantern lights hung near the windows, and the wooden sign above the entrance looked weathered in the most charming way possible.

I started walking toward the main entrance, but Levi suddenly grabbed my arm.

“This way.”

Before I could even react, he guided me toward another door near the side alley.

“Wait, Levi. The entrance is right there-”

He already pushed the door open before I could protest.

My eyes widened slightly.

“This is the kitchen,” I whisper-shouted at him.

Levi ignored me and continued walking inside like this was perfectly normal behavior.

I stared at him in disbelief. Had not being able to play finally driven him insane?

The kitchen staff briefly glanced our way before returning to their tasks, but one woman near the sink suddenly looked up from chopping ingredients.

The second she saw Levi, her entire face brightened.

“Oh!”

Just as I was about to apologize for barging into their kitchen uninvited, she quickly placed her knife down, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked straight toward him.

Much to my surprise, she hugged him like Levi was her own son.

It was even more surprising that Levi was letting her do this with no complaints.

My gaze instinctively dropped toward the cutting board she abandoned.

Garlic. A lot of garlic. And yet she was holding Levi’s face with those same hands.

I looked back at him carefully.

“It’s been such a long time since you came here, young man,” the woman scolded, though her tone was full of affection. “Your rink is nearby, but you still can’t visit?”

Levi sighed tiredly.

“I’m busy, Marie.”

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Chapter 38

“Well, clearly not today,” she shot back immediately. “Aren’t you supposed to have a practice game?”

Levi frowned. “How do you even know that?”

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Marie shook her head and placed a hand over her chest. “I follow your page. I’ve been a Glaciers fan since you first started playing, Levi.”

“You’ve never missed games before,” she continued. “So, seeing you here is quite a surprise. Are you finally taking a res like I told you-”

She stopped abruptly when her eyes landed on me.

I instinctively straightened my posture.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Marie’s eyes widened slightly before recognition flashed across her face. She pointed at me excitedly.

“Pretty girl from last week?”

My eyes widened. She remembered me?

I mean, I knew I asked a concerning amount of questions about Levi’s favorite food last time, but still-

“It’s you!” she exclaimed as she walked toward me. “The young lady who came here asking what Levi Reeve likes to eat!”

Heat immediately rushed to my cheeks.

To be fair, after Aiden told me Levi practically lived off this restaurant’s food, I’d been desperate enough to investigate. I needed Levi to agree to the photoshoot deal with Apollo somehow.

Marie suddenly cupped my cheek affectionately.

“Such a cute girl,” she cooed.

“Marie,” Levi warned from beside us.

“She asked so many questions about your favorites,” Marie continued, ignoring him. “I even gave her free tastes because her reactions were adorable.”

I laughed awkwardly despite the embarrassment crawling up my neck.

Honestly though… There was something incredibly warm about Marie.

Maybe it was the way she spoke to people so naturally. Or how easily she welcomed others. Being appreciated by someone like her felt comforting.

“Umm, it’s nice seeing you again,” I said shyly. “I honestly didn’t know you and Levi knew each other personally.”

Marie laughed loudly.

“Knew each other? This young man practically grew up eating here.”

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