Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“As long as those two can stay away from each other’s shirts and sandwiches, we should be okay.”
Vander Zee snorts a laugh. “Seriously. I still don’t know what to think about that.”
“I don’t think any of us do.”
His phone buzzes in his pocket.
“Get that, if you need to.”
He pulls it out and frowns as he reads the message. “Well, this isn’t ideal.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s not team related,” he assures me.
“Still, anything I can help with?”
“Tally and the boyfriend had a fight. She was out with friends last night, and apparently, someone saw her talking to some guy, and now the boyfriend is tossing out accusations.” He runs a hand through his hair.
“What kind of accusations?” I ask.
“He thinks she’s cheating on him.” He blows out a breath. “My wife is relaying this through text message, so I’m only getting part of the story. I wish Tally would break up with this kid. I don’t like him. And I definitely don’t like that he’s pulling this shit. Final exams are coming up, and she doesn’t need the added stress.”
This guy sounds like a whole lot of red flags, but I don’t want to overstep. “Sometimes when people are insecure, it’s because they’ve had that experience before,” I hedge.
“I know. But we can’t tell Tallulah that. I don’t get why she’s with this guy. Eline is trying to get her to come to the game tonight. Will Fee be there? It could be a good distraction.”
“I’ll ask.” I send Fee a quick message.
It only takes her a minute to respond. She says she’s in if Tally’s coming, and she’s already messaged her. Within two minutes, the whole thing is arranged.
“She’s always been such an easy kid, and that hasn’t changed, but this boyfriend of hers…” He drums his fingers in agitation. “If this is anything to go by, I’m not sure how I’ll handle it with her younger sister.”
“I feel this in my soul,” I tell him.
“I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Roman last season.” He shakes his head. “I have a lot of respect for that man.”
I only saw what was covered on the hockey sites, but knowing Roman the way I do now, it definitely wasn’t easy for him to see his daughter with his best friend. “He loves them both very much. It helps that Hollis adores Aurora, but it was tough for all of them.”
“Yeah. I just want Tallulah to find someone worthy of her.”
“She will. Sometimes you have to learn what doesn’t work for you before you find what does,” I say.
His phone buzzes, with a call this time. “That’s my wife. I really hope I don’t have to bury this guy for hurting my daughter.” He brings the phone to his ear. “Hi, darling, is our little girl okay? If I take care of him, he won’t be a problem anymore.” He gives me a chin tip and leaves my office.
Poor Tally. It can’t be easy trying to date with a dad as protective as Vander Zee.
I message Roman.
Lexi
Walk to the arena together?
Roman
Absolutely.
He shows up at my office fifteen minutes later.
“I have news.”
“I-need-to-call-Sam kind of news, or get-out-the-balloons kind of news?” he asks.
I laugh. Hemi’s brother Sam is intense. I don’t know what his job is, but Dallas jokes that he’s a fixer. “The paperwork has been filed. I’m fully cleared.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“And Donnie isn’t with the Terror anymore.”
“That’s even better news, because I had some plans for him that might have made my retirement a challenge. We’re celebrating the hell out of this later.” He closes my office door, turns the lock, and strides across the room. Taking my hand, he pulls me out of the chair. Roman’s arms circle my waist and his eyes spark with desire.
“You shouldn’t look at me like that when we’re in the office.” I lace my fingers behind his neck.
“Stop looking so tempting, then, beautiful wife.” He strokes my cheek. “Thank you for weathering this storm with me. I know this hasn’t been easy.”
“Loving you is worth it.”
He drops his head, and the kiss is soft, a tender promise of what’s to come later.
EPILOGUE
ROMAN
“Fee, can you test this for me?” I hold out the spoon.
“Can I test it too?” Callie moves to stand beside her sister.
“Absolutely. Grab me another spoon.”
Callie opens the drawer, picks up another one, and passes it to me. Fee waits while I dip it into the marinara.
“It’ll be hot, so blow on it before you taste it,” I warn.
“You tell us this every time.” Fee blows on her spoon.
“I know. I’m a dad. It’s engrained in my dad DNA to protect you from even the smallest of potentially harmful situations. Like a burned tongue.”
Callie giggles and blows on hers too. Then they test the sauce at the same time. It’s a regular ritual in our house. Whenever we can, we make dinner together, and the girls always perform a taste test before we plate the meals.