Over the past nine months, I’d kicked myself almost daily for not getting the name or number of the girl I’d met in Cozumel. I’d relived the night over and over in my mind. When I’d woken the next morning to an empty bed, I realized how stupid I’d been. Now fate had stepped in and handed her to me on a silver platter. Or perhaps it was gold. Whatever it was, I was glad to see her again. I just wished she looked the same. Instead, she avoided my eyes and looked like she was going to be sick.
“Don’t like steak?” I questioned as I leaned in close enough to her to catch a whiff of her. She wore the same coconut scented body lotion that she had on that night, a scent I hadn’t been able to forget.
“I’m surprised she hasn’t inhaled it.” Walker chuckled. “Aurora loves meat.”
She looked at me and I winked, then grabbed the pitcher from the centre of the table. “Anyone for more drinks?” I asked.
“Oh, yes, please,” Penelope said, while grabbing Joe’s glass as well.
I poured everyone a glass and added a little more to my own, then looked at Aurora and poured more into hers. She needed to relax a little.
“Well, she doesn’t like to eat, but she sure loves to drink.” I chuckled, watching as she reached for the glass. I’d watched her down at least four of my father’s killer cocktails without food. I’d only guess she’d been feeling something by now.
“So, when do you play again?” Penelope asked.
“Thursday.”
“Will you be able to attend the party on Saturday?”
I nodded and glanced over to see Aurora tear her eyes away from me.
“Aurora, you’ll be here for the party, won’t you?” I questioned, hoping she’d bring those pretty green eyes to mine.
“Of course she will be, along with Walker,” Penelope answered.
“Oh, Mom, I’m not sure about that. I had to get special clearance to come here tonight. Not sure if my commander will allow it,” Walker answered.
“So you have to get special clearance every time you want to attend something?” I questioned.
“Pretty much every time I leave the base. Especially while I’m in training.”
“Wow, that is crazy. Well, hopefully we will see you,” Joe added.
“Aurora, want to help me with the dishes?” Penelope questioned.
Aurora only nodded and began collecting dishes.
“Boys, let’s retire to the family room, shall we? Dylan, you can show Walker some of your hockey videos while the girls clean up,” Joe announced.
“Come on. I may even have a jersey here that I can sign for you,” I said, getting up and slapping Walker on the shoulder.
“Oh man, I’d love that.”
The conversation turned away from hockey once Penelope and Aurora joined us in the den.
“You know, I think we should show the kids around. What do you think?” Joe asked Penelope. “Show them where they will stay if they come here.”
“I think we should,” she agreed, getting up and joining Joe.
“Come on, Dylan, why don’t you do the honours?”
I glanced over at Aurora, who was now leaning up against the bookcases, playing with her phone. She’d barely looked at me since she’d come back in here. She finally looked up and over at her mother.
“Mom, I’m going to skip the tour. I need to take care of something for school. Lorelai is messaging me. She needs help with something,” she said, meeting my eyes briefly.
“Oh okay. No problem. I can show you around after.” Penelope laughed.
“Come on, Dylan,” Joe said.
