“Yay! My mom’s birthday is next week. You know, I believe the three most romantic words on the planet are add to cart.”
“Yup, never wait. The shortest horror story ever is—air quotes—sold out. I’ll help you get them inside.”
“That’s okay. I’ll get it.”
He picked up one. “What’d you get her?”
“A new laptop and printer. The one she has is ancient.”
“You take the small one, and I’ll get this. Just lead the way.”
My nerves were doing a funky little dance. “Alright. Uh, they’re probably asleep so just follow me.”
I held the door open while Gabe took the box inside. I stepped in front of him and led him up the stairs to my bedroom, feeling his eyes on my butt.
We entered the room lit by the little lamp on the nightstand, shining a warm glow. I opened my small walk-in closet and pointed. “You can put it in the corner. Thank you again for bringing it up.”
I stepped back as he got the boxes on top of one another while eagle eyes took a quick look at his tushy.
“No problem.” He stood and smiled as his eyes toured the room and then to Madam Fluffy Pants who was passed out in her sweater dress.
“This is a cute room, Fern.” He snickered and pointed to my fluffy cat. “What the hell is up with that?”
“My mom is obsessed with this cat and crocheting. Watch out. I’m sure she’s made you a lovely sweater while we were out.”
My stomach did a flip when he quietly closed my bedroom door. “So, how many boys were allowed in Fern’s bedroom back in the day?”
“Zilch. Dave’s room was next door so nobody dared come up here.”
He whispered. “I feel kind of naughty.” He plopped down on my white chair in the corner. “Do you feel naughty?”
I stood with my arms over my chest. “Shh. Do you want my mom to hear you?” Giggles as soon as I heard my words.
He pointed. “You do feel naughty with a boy in your bedroom.”
I shrugged.
He nodded and popped a brow. “It feels good to be bad, huh?”
That was clearly the mantra for my life at the moment. This hulky hot hockey player looking sexy and adorable at the same time, seated in my favorite chair. The same chair I used to make friendship bracelets in as a middle-schooler made me fidgety.
“Can I ask you something, Fern?”
“Yes.”
“Thursday I have an event for a teen program I started at the ice arena in Cottage Grove. I do this every few months in different areas of the city, for foster kids, teens, and their families. I look forward to these things more than I can say.”
“Wow.”
“When I was a kid, aka a little shit, my foster mom, who eventually adopted me, took me to a team day event. I got to talk to Jake Miller, a player at the time, and he shared with me that he was a kid in foster care system, and all the things he overcame. Then I got to play some hockey with him, and his words changed my life. He told me when I grew up that I needed to give back. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“That’s amazing. What a blessing.”
“Well, I’d like it if you would be there.”
My heart bubbled. “Really?”
“Yes.”
