“All of Denver felt the same way.”
“I practiced some of what you said. I breathed. I said... mantras. Positive self-talk. Turns out you know a thing or two.”
That made her smile.
“Tea?” She winced. “Sorry, no tea. It’s a force of habit. When people come here I tend to force it down their throats.”
“Why not? Maybe I’ll like it. I like coffee.”
“Two entirely different substances.”
“Both are hot.”
“Milk and orange juice are both cold, what’s your point?” She let her fingers brush over his arm as he walked past, needing the connection, however small.
“Touché.”
“I thought you were going to call after the game last night,” he mumbled, taking a seat. “I waited.”
“I ended up leaving my phone in my car and catching a ride to Breezy’s,” she said quickly, a white lie, but she didn’t want to give him the full story and risk setting him off. “Jed was gone so we had a sleepover.”
He nodded, something like relief entering his expression. “I should have just called, you might not have had your phone, but looking back on it, it feels as if I was giving you a test. And that’s stupid.”
“A test of what?”
The pot on the stove began to whistle, drowning out his quiet words.
“Sorry, did you say something?” she said, snatching up the pot, pouring the hot water over two mugs of chamomile tea and then drizzling in honey.
“Forget it.”
She licked her finger. “No.”
The baddest ass in the NHL glowered at her and she dished it right back.
He blinked first. “Fine.” He sighed. “I said, a test about whether or not you cared about me.”
“You weren’t sure?”
“Being a needy asshole isn’t really my style.”
She touched her fingers to a faint bruise on his cheek. “It’s needy to want reassurance of affection?”
“It is if you’ve got to ask for it.”
“I disagree.” She took a small sip of tea, let the herbal sweetness wash over her tongue. “I’ve been thinking today that if I want something, I need to feel like I deserve it. Sounds like we’re in a similar boat.”
“I don’t know if I deserve you, Margot.” He made a small noise when he realized he’d spoken her name, a short laugh. “But I want to try.”
She took a deep breath and spoke in a rush. “I’m sorry I didn’t call after the game.” He had to hear the truth about what happened with Stefan, but he wasn’t exactly known for his levelheadedness. What would he do when he found out? How was he going to react?
He shrugged, glancing at the wall. “Whatever. It’s fine.”
It sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than her.
“I’m serious. I wanted to. In fact, I meant to. I went out to the car to get my phone, but...” She cleared her throat. “Well, I had an unexpected encounter.”
He watched her now, stern, but calm.
