“I… yeah. I can do that.”
“Good.” Delaney’s gaze drops to my towel again, then back to my face. Her smirk deepens. “So. You got big plans tonight to celebrate?”
Tate chuckles, low and warm. “She’s wearing one earring, babe.”
Delaney’s eyes go sharp. “Oh my God. You’re going to his place. Colt’s.”
The grin that spreads across my face is completely involuntary.
I don’t deny it. I can’t.
Delaney lets out a low whistle. “Get it, baker girl.” She winks, then hooks her arm through Tate’s. “Come on, coach. We’ve got future NHL stars to inspire.”
Tate gives me a salute. “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“That leaves a lot of options,” Delaney quips, dragging him away.
I watch them disappear down the sidewalk toward the community rink, their laughter fading into the night. Then I lock the door, lean my forehead against the cool wood, and let out a shaky breath.
National. Expansion. Franchise.
The words spin in my head, bright and dizzying. For the first time in eight years, the future doesn’t look like just tomorrow’s bake list.
It looks like… a map.
My earring chooses that moment to glitter at me from the floor behind the counter, where it must have fallen when I was tying my apron this morning.
I scoop it up, fasten it, and take the stairs two at a time.
In my bedroom, the chaos feels different now. I shove the rejected clothes into the hamper, my mind racing. What do I wear for a night that starts with a dream maybe coming true and ends with… him?
Then I remember.
The bottom drawer of my dresser, buried under a stack of old t-shirts and single socks. I kneel and pull it open, digging past faded concert tees and pregnancy sweatpants with stretched-out waistbands.
My fingers brush against cool, slick satin and I pull it out.
"Well, hello there…"
It's the lingerie set I bought five years ago, in a fit of desperate, lonely optimism after Daniel left. It's beautiful black lace with delicate straps, and the tags are still attached.
I remember chickening out of a date when Morgan was going through a sleep regression, and I just couldn't bring myself to leave her and go out that night. I’d taken it home, stuffed it in this drawer, and never once had the courage, or theoccasion, to put it on.
Tonight…
Tonight feels liketheoccasion.
I rip off the tags, then shove the set into my Leopards tote bag alongside my wallet, phone, and lip balm. I throw on the simplest thing I own… soft black leggings with my usual sweater that falls off one shoulder, and slip into my beaten-up ankle boots.
With one last look in the mirror, I head out, racing past Frost Café and down the sidewalk until I reach Colt's building.
I knock on his door three times before I hear the scuffle from inside.
The door swings open a moment later, and Colt’s standing there… shirtless.
"Well,hello."
I try not to let my gaze drop from his face, but it’s a losing battle.
