Ariana's POV
I sat at the back corner table in the library, notebook open, pen tapping against the page. My mind kept drifting back to last night’s game; Jace on the ice, the way he had looked up at me after scoring, the brief touch when we left the arena. My fingers tightened around the pen.
Jace walked in a few minutes later. Hoodie on, hair messy like he’d run his hands through it. He spotted me and gave a small nod, weaving between tables until he reached mine. He pulled out the chair right next to me instead of across, close enough that our arms almost brushed when he sat down.
“Hey,” he said quietly, setting his bag on the floor. “Sorry I’m a little late. Practice ran over.”
I shifted in my seat, trying to create a bit more space between us. “It’s fine. People are already looki
