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Love Wants Us to Win

Page 115

by Jacquelyn Middleton

“Me rambling about the weekend.”

“Including Gilmour’s two power play goals?” asked Oliver.

“You watched!”

“Most of it.” Scanning the new releases, Oliver picked up the box for Patriot Games, but all copies were rented out. He pressed his lips and put it back. “I heard you guys on TV, too.”

“I know! We were so loud Joe Bowen, our radio play-by-play announcer, stepped onto the press box catwalk to acknowledge us! It was epic.” Georgie eyed VHS copies of Sister Act and Lethal Weapon 3. “Afterward, we had an impromptu parade up Sainte-Catherine Street.”

“How was that received?” asked Oliver.

“Oh, hardly anyone saw us. It was minus twenty-something.” Under her breath, Georgie broke into song. “Na na na na, hey heyyy, goodbye!” She laughed nervously and squinted ahead, her gaze skating past the ‘BE KIND REWIND’ sign to the list of upcoming releases. “The Muppet Movie, January 29th. A League of Their Own, February 17th. Oh!”—she squeezed Oliver’s hand—“March 3rd for Singles! Can’t wait for that one!” Her gaze skirted the TV monitor playing scenes from Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. “Anything catch your eye?”

“Just you.”

“Aw, c’mere handsome.” Georgie folded into him, leaving a kiss on his soft lips, which he eagerly reciprocated without hesitation. Stop worrying, she thought. He’s fine. We’re fine. Eyes opening, she caressed his jaw, delighting in the coarse stubble that had tickled her inner thighs forty-two hours earlier. “The best part of going away is coming home, especially when you’re waiting for me.”

“I didn’t half miss you.” Grasping her hand, Oliver kissed her knuckles then rested their entwined fingers against his chest.

Georgie felt every galloping beat through his sweater. She smiled lovingly. “Come next time.”

“Hmm, maybe, but only if those bagels and maple candies you brought back are as good as you say…”

She laughed and squeezed his hand. “Cheeky!”

Breaking into a grin, Oliver’s attention drifted, his gaze widening. “Oh, what about this?” Reaching around her, he plucked The Cutting Edge off the shelf. “I’ve never seen it. Would you want to watch it again?”

She blinked coquettishly. “Have you met me, Dr. Jönsson?”

He left the tape behind and gathered her in again. “Every single sexy inch. I think I have a good idea of what you like now.”

“Such as?” She slipped her hand through the opening of his coat and beneath his sweater, her fingers toying with the hair trailing into his trousers.

Oliver sucked in a sharp breath and whispered in her ear, “On top, underne—” His heated gaze caught on something and he withdrew, his expression turning all business-like.

Georgie furrowed her brow and looked sidelong. Ah, the probable cause: two teenagers perusing movies nearby.

Clearing his throat, Oliver continued. “Double Butter popcorn, mmmuffins, hydrangeas…”

She giggled behind her hand. “Nice save.”

“No, I actually do have those back at mine.” Oliver shrugged into a laugh and retrieved The Cutting Edge.

All her favourite things just because. If Oliver were anyone else, Georgie might’ve asked, ‘Okay, what have you done?’ But thoughtfulness seemed woven into his DNA. Her heart swelled with happiness. She could definitely get used to this.

* * *

“Toe pick!” Georgie laughed. “That never gets old!” She pulled the rewound tape from the VCR and snapped it inside its case. “Whaddaya think?”

“It was fun,” said Oliver. “I like how it all worked out in the end.”

Returning to the couch and the warmth of Oliver’s embrace, Georgie’s eyes wandered, falling upon the coffee table and the abandoned pizza and bagel crusts left on their plates. The perfect end to the perfect weekend. Cozy and content, she smiled and glanced up at Oliver, but found him staring off into space again. Unease ignited in her belly, killing her grin. “Ollie, you feeling okay?”

He blinked. “Uh, yeah.”

Georgie wasn’t buying it and placed her palm on his forehead, but he didn’t feel warm. She withdrew, perplexed. “You stressing over rehearsals next week?”

Oliver shook his head. “No, the guides know the material, know their cues.” Chewing his bottom lip, he picked at the frayed material on the armrest. “But there is something.” He glanced over, then looked away. “Bug, I’ve been thinking…you should know why I really came here. It wasn’t the museum job.”