My ears perk up at the mention of a cupcake, but I tap my chin and jut out my lower lip, pretending to think it over. “I guess I can let you in under one condition.”
“And that is?”
“You watch Annie with me.”
He lowers the bouquet, giving me a full look at his gorgeous smile, one adorable dimple proudly on display. “Deal.”
Inside, Landon slips out of his black sneakers without untying them, then follows me to the kitchen, where I point him toward the vase on the top shelf.
I can’t reach it on my own. Short-girl problems.
While I hold the bouquet, I shamelessly stand back and watch his arms flex as he reaches, his shoulders testing the stretch of his T-shirt’s sleeves. I’m actually sort of sad when he grabs the vase and the show is over.
Note to self: Put more things on the highest shelf and ask him to reach for them.
While I snip the stems and arrange the flowers, Landon digs into the brown grocery bag, pulling out a small white box with a chocolate cupcake inside.
“Oh, thank God it’s chocolate.” I sigh, my mouth already watering.
“Not just chocolate.” His smile stretches from ear to ear. “It’s a chocolate lava cupcake. I figured that’s kind of our thing now.”
My jaw drops open at least an inch. “They make those?”
He nods, pride flashing in his bright blue eyes as he unboxes the chocolate treat. I get out a plate and two forks, letting him do the honors of splitting it and enjoying the satisfaction of watching the chocolate spill out. He let me do it last time, after all.
“You really didn’t have to do any of this.” I gesture to the cupcake, the flowers, and of course, to him. He dropped everything and raced over here without me even asking, all because he wanted to make sure I was okay.
He lifts a shoulder. “I wanted to. And it’s not exactly a sacrifice for me to get to spend the night on the couch with you.”
“You say that now,” I tease. “But that’s because I haven’t put on the movie yet.”
Grabbing the vase of flowers, I move them to the coffee table so we can enjoy them from the couch, and Landon follows behind with our cupcake plate and forks.
“Do you want wine?” he asks.
“Sorry, I don’t have any,” I say, sinking into my usual spot on the couch.
Landon smiles, then turns back to the kitchen, reappearing with a bottle of cabernet in hand. “You think I didn’t come prepared?”
I grin, moving to get up and help him uncork it, but he holds out a hand to stop me.
“I’ve got it. You get comfy. I’ll find what I need.”
I settle a bit deeper into my groove in the cushions. “If you insist.”
Once we’re snuggled up under the blanket with wine in hand, I reach for the remote and press PLAY. The familiar intro music sends chills up my arms, and I do a little happy dance in my seat.
Landon laughs, winding one arm around my waist and tugging me closer to him. “You’re not going to sing along, are you?”
I shoot him a devious grin. “Would that annoy you?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes,” I say with a firm nod. “Yes, I will.”
The movie isn’t long, but it goes by even quicker when I’m looking over at Landon every other minute, watching for his reaction. He holds me a little extra tight during the sad songs, and when I give a rousing rendition of “Tomorrow,” he applauds at the end, laughing like crazy. To top it all, when Annie finds out the truth about the people claiming to be her parents, I swear I see tears forming in his eyes.
“Damn flowers,” he mumbles, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I think I’m allergic.”
I snuggle up a little closer to him, resting my cheek on his shoulder. “Whatever you say.”
Once the movie is over and the credits are rolling, I push back from him just enough to look him in the eye. “Well?”
“Awful movie. Absolutely horrible,” he says with conviction. But that tone can’t disguise the flush that’s still lingering on his cheeks and the sappy smile he wore when I sang along.
“Uh-huh.” I give him a knowing look, crooking one finger to beckon him closer. “Get over here, tough guy. I know it got to you.”
He’s mindful of my shoulder as he pulls me into him again, pressing a kiss against my temple. “I didn’t bring it up for the whole movie, so I have to ask now. How’s your shoulder?”
I roll my eyes. “I told you, it’s fine. I’ll have the results in a week.”
“And you’ll call me as soon as you know.”
“Sure.”
“And you’ll tell me if anything pops up like this again so I can drive you.”
“Yes, sir.” I scoff, giving him a sharp salute.
His eyes narrow into serious slits. “Don’t tease me. Let me worry about you.”
“You don’t have to, you know? I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”
“I know that. I like that you’re a strong woman, believe me. It’s one of the things that attracted me to you, and something I definitely want in a partner.”
I chew on my lower lip, weighing his words.
“I travel a lot during the year when the season starts. So a relationship with someone needy or codependent would never work for me. I want an equal. A strong woman who’s going to miss me, sure, but who can take care of herself when I’m away. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to take care of you too, Aubree. I do. Let me.”
“I’ll try.” The words feel tight in my throat.
God, where did this man come from? I’ve been on my own for so long, telling myself I don’t need anyone else. But now he’s here, so strong and solid, and he smells so good, and there’s just something about him—his words, his soothing presence—that I can’t deny.
He’s growing on me.
Like a suspicious mole.
10
* * *
Asking for a Friend
Landon
“What are we drinking tonight, boys?” Justin asks as I settle into the back corner of the booth, which, as everyone knows is the absolute worst seat, and the reason it’s been reserved for me as the rookie on the team. Whoever occupies it is completely out of luck if he needs to get out to, say, use the restroom or make a private phone call, since he’d have to climb over four hockey players to do so.
“I’m down with whatever,” I say.
I’m out with the guys from my team tonight. While they still like to give me a hard time about being the rookie, I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve formed. Teddy, Owen, and Asher helped me move into my new apartment last month, and when it was my birthday, the entire crew took me out and got me good and drunk. So if it makes them feel better to stick me in the corner, I’ll deal with it.
When the bright-eyed, bubbly server swings by—a young woman with an Australian accent whose nametag reads RACHEL—we order a couple of pitchers of beer. She lingers at our table for a few moments too long, her gaze jumping from the blue of my eyes, to Justin’s broody smirk, then over to Teddy’s mischievous grin. It seems the sight of us has rendered her momentarily speechless.