Hudson Hayes, star defenseman for the DC Stars, needs help. He’s been looking for a private chef for months but keeps coming up short. With the NHL season starting and no prospects in sight, he’s close to giving up.Madeline Galloway needs a job. Recently let go from her executive chef position in Las Vegas, she’s desperate as can be when she reaches out to an old acquaintance about a possible job opportunity…. in Washington DC.After hitting it off with her prospective employer--the blond hockey star who seems to have a heart of gold--she and her daughter, Lucy, make the move east.The rules were simple: no personal relationships. No falling for the romantic guy who always made her smile, even if they are living together and spending all their free time with each other.But after a kiss on New Year’s Eve, everything changes. The lines blur. Being Hudson’s friend—and only his friend—is the last thing on her mind.And when Hudson learns American Sign Language for Lucy, his feelings might be a slap shot to Madeline's heart.Slap Shot is a spicy slow burn friends to lovers, private chef x hockey player romance with forced proximity and a man who if he wanted to, he would.