“How many cars do you have?”
“Five.”
Her mouth drops open as I pull away from the curb and head over to her condo. “Five? Why would someone have five cars!?”
“That’s a good question.” I chuckle.
“Do you even use them all?”
“I do. Not every day, but I try to drive them all at least once a week. And when I’m away and can’t do it myself, my housekeeper does it for me.”
“You have a housekeeper?” she asks next.
“Yes. Marianne comes in every two days.” Before I know it, I’m already pulling up in front of her condo, hating that our time is up.
She looks forward with a hum as I park the car, not making an attempt to get out. “I didn’t know coaches made such a high salary. I mean, I know you played hockey too, but…”
“But I didn’t play long,” I finish for her, opening a subject a lot of people tend to avoid bringing up. “It’s okay, you can say it.” I glide my fingers through her hair, cradling the back of her head as she tilts it to the side to look at me.
“You’re right, we make money, but not necessarily enough to own five cars and have a housekeeper. I did earn quite somemoney with hockey too, but my wealth comes from my family. Have you ever heard of Andromeda Jewels?”
Her eyes widen as the dots connect in her pretty little head. “Oh my God… That belongs to your family?!”
I nod. “My great-great-great-grandfather was the founder. And now that my parents have retired, my oldest sister has taken over.”
“Wow… That’s… So, you’re like… Rich, rich.” Her eyes are so wide right now; it makes her look even more adorable.
Normally, I don’t enjoy talking about my money, certainly not with the female race. But I know Aubrey isn’t that kind of girl that would date a guy just for his bank account. The proof is right in front of me daily. She’s been surrounded by men who make millions for years, yet she has no interest in them. If she had been only after money, she would have tied herself to the first single one that came along.
“Something like that.” I laugh.
She sighs and looks out the window toward her building. “I guess we’re here,” she whispers before turning back to look at me. “You leave tomorrow.”
“I do, but I’ll be back in four days,” I tell her softly.
She bites her lip again. “I leave the sixteenth for my parents’ house. Emma, Cecilia, Ronnie, and I are heading up a week earlier to make sure everything is ready for the wedding.”
“So we’ll have a little over a week before you leave. Then we’re heading up after the game on the twenty-second.” I hate the feeling of loneliness that creeps in at the thought that I won’t see her for a full week once she goes up to Toronto. She’s right here beside me, yet I already miss her.
“Grey was lucky with his schedule this year. An afternoon game the day before his wedding, instead of a night one. What were the chances?” She takes on this dreamy smile every time she mentions the wedding.
“The cards played in his favor, that’s for sure.” I chuckle.
“Well, I should head in so that you can go home and get some sleep.” She blushes when she says the word, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s picturing me lying in my bed.
“Yeah… Let me walk you to the door.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and push my door open.
“Oh, you don’t need to do that.”
I step out of the car and lean over to look at her face. “I want to. Plus, my mother would never forgive me if I didn’t.” I grin as she blushes harder.
“Okay.”
I hurry around the hood and open her door before she can, offering her my hand as she climbs out. I don’t let go as we take the few steps to the entrance, and neither does she. I like this—holding her hand. It feels natural and makes my fingers tingle with awareness.
“Are you close with your parents?” she asks once we stop in front of the door.
“I am, I still call my mom every week,” I admit with a nervous chuckle as my cheeks warm.
