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“Thank you. You’re awesome,” I say.
She places her hand on her hip. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I need to get going. I don’t want to walk in late. I’d rather sneak in with the crowd.”
The stairs are tough to negotiate wearing stilettos. Ryan wolf whistles when I come into sight. I do a little twirl and notice how my dress flares outward. I like it, so I twirl once more.
“Mommy, you look like a princess,” Tillie says.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Leaning forward, I cup her chin in my hand. “Be a good girl for Auntie Wendy. I’ll be home after you’re already asleep, so I’m going to kiss you goodnight now.” I press my lips to her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She smiles.
“Have fun, Evie. I’ll see you later,” Wendy says.
“I’ll walk you out,” Ryan says, taking hold of my arm.
Once we’re away from little listening ears, I let out an excited squeak. “I’m so glad you’re going out tonight. Go get yourself some dick.”
He coughs. “Jesus, Evie.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m sure you are, but I’ll be happy if I manage to speak to anyone. Small goals lead to bigger goals.”
I throw my arms around him and squeeze. “I love you, Ryan, and I always will.”
He returns my embrace, pressing his cheek to mine. “I love you too, Evie.” He steps back. “You better get going.”
“Yeah. Unfortunately this is really happening.” I wander over to the driver’s side of my car and carefully sit down behind the wheel. I start the engine and roll down my window.
“Hey, if you need condoms, there are a bunch in my nightstand drawer.”
“Goodbye, Evie.”
“Bye.”
* * *
I pause outside the entrance to the Coyotes’ reception hall.Walk in there like you own the place… or at least like you belong.It’s not much of a pep talk but it’s the best I can do.
“Do you need something?” a deep voice asks, taking me by surprise. My head snaps to the left and I find Kaiden Hart standing beside me.
His eyes flash wider. “Evelyn?”
“Kaiden?” My reaction is similar. The last time I saw him he was a rookie on the team.
He smiles at me, taking away some of my nerves. His eyes skim over me, but not in a flirtatious way. He’s simply coming to grips with how much I’ve physically changed.
He shakes his head. “I can’t believe how grown up you are.”
I shrug one shoulder. “It was bound to happen. And I could say you’ve grown up some too.”
He laughs. “Is that a nice way of saying I’m getting old?”
“Not at all. Hockey might make you feel old, but you’re still young in real-world years.”
He laughs again. “Real-world years?”
