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“Good. How about you?” I ask.
“Great. Thanks for asking. Looks like we’re about four minutes out from your destination. There’s water and snacks; feel free to grab something,” he announces as he pulls into traffic.
“Thank you,” I say, but I don’t take anything.
My leg is bouncing like crazy as I pull my phone out of my joggers and check once again to see that the shop is still open. It’s already six thirty, so the shop is open for another half an hour tonight.
God, why am I so nervous to see her?
I’ve never opened up with someone like I have with her. She’s gotten to know my demons pretty well. Perhaps that’s why I’m sweating bullets.
It’s easy to get girls when you’re a pro hockey player—that’s not arrogance; it’s just a fact. But I’ve always kept it superficial. It’s always at my place so I can control their length of stay and because I’m in my comfort zone. We fuck, and they leave. That’s it—simple.
But Nikki and I have only kissed once, and she already knows more about my past than anyone else does—aside from maybe Kos. Everything is different with her, and I want it to be. I don’t want to rush anything with her. I want every touch and every kiss to go in slow motion. I want to memorize every second that I’m with her.
The moment her shop is in view, my heart skips a beat. I hope she’s going to be excited to see me.
Shit, maybe I should have called her first before dropping in. But it’s too late now.
“Have a good night, sir,” Jared says as I grab my bags and open the door.
“Thanks. You too.” I tip twenty dollars and climb out of the car.
Too late to turn back now. My stomach is in my throat as I approach the door to her shop.
Fuck, what the hell is wrong with me?
With my hat and hood up, I might be able to stay under the radar for just long enough to see her first.
But as I pull the door open and the bell rings, Chloe is already turning to face me from behind the counter.
It takes her only a second to recognize me. I don’t see Nikki. Hopefully, she’s in the back or something. It would give me the perfect surprise.
“Cam!” Chloe shouts across the shop, pulling the attention of the group of girls studying in the corner.
They are not impressed by the interruption and go back to their work.
“Hey. Is Nikki around?” I ask, unable to hold back my smile.
Her lips part, and her eyes widen with excitement as she says, “Yeah—I mean, no. She’s at the library. Does she know you’re here? There’s no way she wouldn’t have told me.”
A quiet library, where she will for sure not expect me? Perfect.
Shaking my head, I smile. “No, I’m surprising her. Can you tell me where I can find the library?”
She clasps her hands together on the counter. “Oh, she is going to die, seeing you here.” She laughs. “Yes, come here. I’ll show you.”
She walks out from behind the counter and heads toward the front door, and I follow.
“Do you see that building right there with the blue roof?” She points across the street toward the two-story building at the end of the street perpendicular to us.
“Yeah. That’s it?” I ask.
“Yeah. Here, bring her a croissant. I know she didn’t eat dinner before she walked over there,” she tells me as she hustles over to the display case. She bags up a chocolate-strawberry croissant and hands it to me.
“Thank you,” I say, turning toward the door. But immediately, I spin and face her again. “Do you think she’ll be happy to see me?”
She practically shoves me toward the door. “Oh my God, yes. She hasn’t stopped talking about you. But if you say that, I will deny it until I die. You can leave your bags here if you want—easier to walk that way. Now, hurry up and stop wasting time with me.”
