Page 52 of Return

“Congratulations,” she said when she answered, acknowledging the team’s win. Like her, Dean was kicked back in bed, propped against a slew of pillows. He was still in the clothing he’d worn to the game, but the suit jacket and tie were gone, the top two buttons of his shirt undone.

Vivian’s pussy clenched hungrily. The man was fully dressed, but she had discovered early on, it didn’t matter what Dean wore. Everything—from sweatshirts to suits to faded T-shirts—turned her on.

“Dominic scored a hat trick,” Dean said excitedly, obviously pleased that one of the new players he’d recruited to the team was doing so well.

“He was on fire tonight. It was a great game. Sorry I wasn’t there to see it in person.”

Dean sighed. “Don’t be too sorry. The weather in Buffalo sucks. Cold and rainy. Looks like it was a beautiful day in Baltimore,” he added, letting her know he’d watched the video she sent.

“Might be a beautiful day, but I’m still forced to do the adulting thing.”

Dean chuckled. “Like?”

“Like cleaning the house, doing the laundry, then wrestling with a broken drawer in the kitchen. I’m going to have to see about hiring a handyman to help out around here. Too many small tasks are piling up.”

“Like what?”

“The ice maker in my freezer has been broken for a month. I absolutely hate filling the trays. I bought a bookshelf for Pip’s room that’s officially defeated me as far as assembling—the instructions are in Chinese. Plus, I need to change the batteries in the smoke detectors, but that requires a ladder and energy and…” She laughed. “I know Vic will do everything if I ask, but I hate bugging him when it’s hockey season, and he has his own house to take care of. At this point, I’d rather just throw money at someone and have them do it all rather than try to find the time to figure it out myself.”

“Save your money. I can do all those things.”

She paused for a moment, touched by the offer, while also wondering if she should take him up on it. “You don’t have to⁠—”

“Save your breath, Viv. Make me a list. I’ll start tackling it as soon as I get back.”

“Thanks,” she whispered.

If Dean noticed that he’d thrown her for one hell of an amazing loop, he didn’t let on. “Pip is killing it on her bike.”

“She really is. I can’t thank you enough for teaching her. I suspect if it had been up to me, I would have put that training wheel back on, insisting she wasn’t old enough.”

“She was going pretty fast today,” he pointed out.

Vivian laughed. “She’s becoming fearless. Wonder if it’s practical to start swathing her in bubble wrap before she rides.”

“That’s a thought, though it could make pedaling difficult.”

“I’d be okay with that,” she joked. “She can’t wait to tell you about today’s accomplishment, by the way.” The words slipped out before Vivian considered them, because Dean’s smile wavered slightly.

She knew Dean still felt a lot of guilt and regret over missing McKenna’s childhood. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sure if hearing that Pip wanted to share her success helped alleviate those feelings or drove home how much he’d missed in his own daughter’s life.

“I’m glad,” he said after a moment.

Vivian tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Every time she rides her bike, she tells me she can’t wait to show Coach Dee how much better she’s getting.”

For just a heartbeat, something flickered across his face. “I’d like to see her ride again.”

“You will,” Vivian replied. The certainty in her tone surprised both of them—and for a split second, she panicked.

Dean must have noticed, because his expression changed. His smile remained in place, but it was gentler. “We’re working on your timeline, Viv. No one will know about the dates until you’re ready to tell them.”

“Okay,” she murmured.

Silence settled between them. Vivian wasn’t sure about Dean, but she was scrambling to find some way to put them back on firm footing.

Mercifully, Dean found the way. “I’ve got tomorrow’s morning skate, then the bus home. The plan is to stop in Pennsylvania for dinner.” He stretched, wincing slightly. “If traffic cooperates, the bus will probably pull into Baltimore around nine or ten.”

“You’ll be exhausted.”