* * *
We’d landed and settled at our hotel in Vegas, having a fun team dinner at a casino’s buffet. I’d made up my mind that I’d try to have a sexy chat with Annie and excused myself from going out for more drinks after. I’d had one with dinner just to make sure I was loose.
I texted her when I knew she’d be winding down for theevening.
Get your place unpacked?
Annie Markham
Mostly! How are you feeling?
I’m back at work. We’re in Vegas. Mostly better
Glad to hear it
Could I maybe call you?
My heart took off as my phone rang with an incoming FaceTime request.
“Hey, Annie,” I said, smiling as her face filled my screen. She was wearing one of her boobalicious tank tops and what looked like some little shorts. “Good to see you.”
“You too,” she said softly. Her brow wrinkled. “You look tired.”
“Yeah. Still recovering a little. I declined going out for more drinks.”
“We could have gotten you more time off. You’re sick, Nick.”
I shrugged. “I’m well enough to catch pucks. And I don’t get in close contact with many people. Wanna show me around your place now that you’re unpacked?”
Her smile was soft. “Sure. Let me flip my camera.”
I loved her narrations as she walked from room to room, her voice more tinged with her Southern twang since she was tired from a long day. Her place was small, but she’d made it look warm, with little trinkets tastefully placed to brighten it up.
“I decorated the mantel.”
“Hey, walk a little closer. Who’s in the picture?”
“That’s me and my mom on Thanksgiving, not long before she got sick the first time.”
“Oh, I didn’t know your mom was sick.” I felt guilty that she’d talked to my mom and I had no idea about hers. I’m usually better about things like that.
“Oh, uh, yeah. She passed about five years ago now.”
“Gosh, Annie. I’m sorry. And I made you talk to my mom and everything.”
She gave a soft chuckle. “I don’t hold all moms accountable for the loss of mine. It’s fine. Your mom was cool.”
“What was your mom like?”
She got a dreamy look. “She was the best. Thanksgiving was her favorite because it was so loud and full of people. We always made pies together.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yep,” she said breezily. “But anyway, here’s the bathroom, which you remember.”
She ended in her bedroom, plopping down on her bed and flipping the camera to face herself again.
“Thanks for the tour. It looks great in there.”
