Page 40 of Off the Post

“Hello, everyone! I’m Ali, Tanner’s sister.”

Tanner scoops me up from behind, his arms locked around my middle. “She’s my annoying baby sister!”

I roll my eyes hard enough to pull a hamstring and bat him with the back of my arm when he puts me back down. “I think they all know who between us is the annoying one.”

After straightening my clothing, I extend my hand out to Cale first. “Hey, Cale. I know we’ve met before, but I don’t think I’ve met—” I look expectantly at the slight and pale-skinned woman looking terribly uncomfortable as she stands next to him. “You must be…?”

She smiles shyly up at Cale, who squeezes her hand and grins. “This is my wife, Sommer. Good to see you again, Ali.”

I shake Cale’s hand and then Sommer’s. “Nice to meet you, Sommer. So glad you could join us today. Please, make yourself at home. Tons of food, drinks—both alcoholic and non—and the bathroom is down the hallway.” I point in the direction of the restroom. “Just let me know if there’s anything you’d like, and if you can’t find it, I’ll send this big lug to the corner shop to get it.”

Tanner cracks a beer and waves it in Cale’s direction. “Costa, you gonna enjoy a brewski with us today?”

The nonverbal exchange that happens between Cale and Sommer is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. There’s love, respect, and a desire to act considerately of the other all packed into their meaningful gazes. Gah. My heart pangs with envy as I watch the marital moment between the newlyweds.

Cale nods back at Tanner. “Yeah, maybe just one.”

I snag Sommer’s eyes. “How about you? What can I get you?”

“I’ll take a non-caffeinated soda if you have it,” she says, dropping Cale’s hand to follow me into the kitchen when I motion her to do so.

I gesture to the subzero stainless-steel fridge. “We have a few. Please help yourself. And we have plenty of healthy and not-so-healthy snacks. Pick your poison.”

“Thanks.” She opens the fridge and extracts a zero-sugar decaf soda, then swings around to glance over the ever-abundant grouping of salads, fruit, and goodies on the counter. The noise level in the apartment has steadily increased tenfold with only a few couples so far. I can’t imagine how loud it will be in here or out by the pool once everyone arrives.

“I hear you don’t live in Vancouver during the season. Does that mean you’ll be staying for the summer, or are you and Cale planning a big overseas vacation together?”

Having grown up accustomed to Tanner’s hockey season schedules and the lengthy summer breaks each year, I know he and his teammates use the long summer months to their advantage. I’ve been so jealous of some of the fabulously relaxing vacations they’ve gone on in the past. Tanner’s been to Portugal, Italy, and the beaches in Spain, including San Sebastian. He’s been sailing in the Mediterranean and visited the gorgeous hillside towns of the Amalfi Coast. The bastard sent me photos of him indulging in gelato and fresh pasta. How unfair.

That’s one thing I’ll say about my brother. He works hard and he plays even harder, and I’m totally envious of how he lives such an extravagant and leisurely life during his offseason.

My innocuous question of Sommer, however, has transformed her. It’s as if a light has dimmed, and her eyes become shiny with tears.

Well, shit.

I obviously said something I shouldn’t have and stuck my flip-flop-wearing foot in my mouth.

I reach out and cup her hand in mine with genuine sincerity. “Sommer, did I say something insensitive?”

I wrack my brain. What question could have caused her to get teary-eyed?

Sommer gently squeezes my hand in hers. “Please, no need for apologies. This is a party, after all.”

Cale appears behind her, placing a protective arm around her shoulder. “You had no way of knowing, Ali, but Sommer is getting treatment for her MS and just went through another infusion. If things go as planned, we should be able to do some traveling soon.”

He places a kiss on her forehead, and my tummy turns all gooey inside like a melted marshmallow. It’s obvious that Cale is madly in love with his wife, and she with him.

I want that in my life someday. A man who is ultra protective, considerate, and tenderly compassionate at the same time.

“Well then, a toast.” I hold up my water bottle in the air. “To successful treatments and grand summer vacations.”

I leave them alone to check out the buffet and remember I still need to fill up the cooler Tanner brought in with ice. Turning around, I open the freezer door and bend down to find the ice bags at the bottom.

Just as I lift a bag in my arms, cradling it like a baby, I hear the low, sexy voice I’ve been waiting for and feel him brush up against my hip.

“You better get someone else to do that,” Soren says, sending a flurry of goosebumps up my spine. “You’re so fucking hot, you’re liable to melt it all.”

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