But it doesn’t come. Instead, he asks, “What are your favorite romance tropes?”
“How do you know what a trope is?”
“My sister talks about the books she reads, and over the past few months we’ve lived together, she’s talked to me about thema lot.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask her what she’s reading, but I didn’t want to be awkward. Sometimes people think reading romance is taboo, which I experienced firsthand with Aaron.”
Carson’s jaw tenses at the mention of my soon-to-be ex-husband. In hopes of distracting him, I answer his question. “I’m a mood reader, so I like a little bit of everything.”
“Wait, you can read moods? Do you read auras, or how do you do it?”
At first I’m puzzled by his question. Auras? What the heck? And then it clicks. “Oh my gosh, I can’t read moods, Golden Boy. I’m a mood reader, meaning what I read depends on the mood I’m in.” I start to laugh again, and he just stares at me.
“You have the most beautiful laugh,” Carson blurts, his cheeks staining the slightest shade of red in the darkened room.
I become bashful at his compliment. “Thank you,” I say as I stare down at the bedding covering me. Clearing my throat, I continue, “My favorite tropes are small-town romance, friends-to-lovers, forbidden love, and, if I’m feeling up for it, a mafia romance.”
“What about hockey romances?” he asks and wiggles his brows.
“I have yet to read a hockey romance. Mostly because I don’t know much about the sport. But I’ve read more football romances than I care to admit. Oh, and bonus points if it’s a brother’s best friend football romance. Have you ever seen a man wearing football pants?” I’m only teasing, but I’m curious to see how he reacts. When I was with Aaron, I would never dare to joke about the idea of another man.
Carson scoffs. “Very funny, Austin. I know your love for football runs deep. And the football pants are indeed appealing. But have you ever seen a hockey player’s bubble butt and tree trunk thighs in a pair of five-inch inseam shorts?”
When I just stare back at him, he chuckles. “Stick with me, Super Nanny, and you’ll be in for a real treat this summer.”
With that, Carson presses play, and Anthony Bridgerton’s bare ass has nothing on the mental images swimming through my head of Carson Wilder in said athletic shorts.
Lord, have mercy on me.
11
March
“It’s Sunday morning, but that won’t stop us from reporting on the latest happenings in the NHL. The breaking news of last year’s Rookie of the Year, Griffin Turner, being traded from the Colorado Summits to the Minnesota Wolverines has sent shockwaves across the league. Rumor has it that Turner’s daughter, who lives in Minnesota, was part of the reason he demanded the trade. Now, I won’t speculate further on these rumors other than I’d like to point out how highly unlikely it is that a player in his rookie contract would get any say in trade decisions between the organizations.”
My niece’s birthday weekend was a wild one—not only did Cadence turn two, but Griffin was traded from the Colorado Summits and is now my newest Minnesota Wolverines teammate. I hope that once he finishes rehabbing his knee he’ll be on a line again with Jax and me next season.
The press conference is this morning. Mack and Griff just dropped Cadence off at my place on their way to the arena so Dakota didn’t have to drive over to Griff’s house.
But today is also a rainy day in Minnesota, which means it’s the ideal day for Dakota to get lost in a book.
“Knock, knock,” I call out as I enter my Cadey Cat’s toy room that’s still set up in my house, though I wonder with Griff being traded to Minnesota, if that means Mack and Cadence will move in with him permanently. It makes the most sense now that they’re officially back together. Fuck, why does that make my stomach twist? I’m happy as hell for my twin and my niece. I’m even happier for myself that I got my best friend back. But I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss the hell out of them living with me. I’ve missed days like today—being with Cadence, stealing glimpses of Dakota playing with her, and having a house full of love and laughter.
Dakota rolls over and perches herself up on her elbows. “Hey, what’s up?” she asks.
“It’s raining,” I state.
That makes her chuckle. “It is,” she agrees.
“Rain! Rain!” Cadence squeals before running over to the window and pressing her face against the windowpane. Their laughter blends like the most beautiful harmony, and the sound seems to be the icebreaker I need to shake the nerves I get whenever I’m around my dream girl.
“Well,” I start but nervously clear my throat before continuing, “I know how much you like to have a lazy reading day when it’s raining. And you’ve been helping with Cadence so much lately that I thought I’d let you take the day off while I bring my Cadey Cat on a funcle date.”
Her face lights up at that. “It ismyjob to watch our favorite girl. But now I’m curious, what exactly does a funcle date include?”
Ourfavorite girl. Damn, I love the sound of that.
Crossing my arms as I lean against the doorframe, I answer, “I’ll dress her up in one of her princess costumes, take her to the indoor playground, and then grab some lunch before heading back for her naptime.”
