First Shot At Love: A Baltimore Banners Warm-up Story

This 13,500-word short story first appeared in the LOVE HAPPENS anthology.

Jean-Pierre "JP" Larocque doesn't believe in love, especially not love at first sight. As a rising star for The Baltimore Banners, the hockey player has his choice of women...and then he meets Emily Poole. She's quiet, reserved, maybe a little shy--and completely unlike any woman he's ever met. Can he convince the woman of his dreams to give him a chance?

Emily has no idea what to make of the attractive hockey player. She's never met anyone like him before: charming, charismatic, and attentive. Is he merely flirting, or is he after something else? Should she take the chance and end up risking so much more than her heart?

Sometimes opposites really do attract. But is it enough for these two to risk everything and try for a first shot at love?