Niko asked him to come over a bit early because we have a rather huge favor to ask of him today. I’m not sure Niko filled him in on that little part yet, so I’m going to keep my mouth shut.
“Hey, Connor! Let me help you.” I grab the flowers from his hand and usher him inside.
“Thanks, Sadie.” He sets the box down on the fireplace mantle and does a slow circle to take in the overly-decorated space. “Wow, it looks like Elsa’s castle up in here.”
I chuckle and walk into the kitchen to find a vase for the flowers he brought. “I’m happy to hear you say that because I wasn’t sure if I ordered enough decorations.”
Connor places his hands down on the counter and scoffs. “Are you kidding? I’m half expecting Elsa to walk down those stairs any minute.”
His comment answers my earlier question, because if Niko had told him the favor we need, he would’ve known that Elsaisactually going to be walking down those stairs in a bit. The problem is, the actor hired to play Kristoff came down with the flu and we need Connor to step in as a replacement. I’m definitely not going to be the one to break that news to him, though.
Thankfully, Niko walks in from the backyard as I’m setting the bouquet on the kitchen table.
“Hey, man, thanks for coming a little early.”
Connor pushes himself off the counter and pulls Niko into a one-armed man hug and slaps his back. “Anything for my girl. You said you needed help with one of her gifts?”
I chuckle under my breath and both men turn their heads to look at me.
“Sorry, I was thinking about something Hunter told me earlier.”
Niko eyes me but I ignore his look and then the two men walk back outside. I retrieve the frosting I made last night from the refrigerator and begin filling piping bags with the different colors. I’m on cloud nine being in my baking element again, and even more excited for Sophia to see the finished product today.
I lose myself in the calming nature of decorating Sophia’s cake and replay what happened with Niko earlier in my mind. God, I can’t wait until the next time I get to feel that way again. Hopefully later tonight.
When Hunter calls my name, I startle and smudge some of the purple frosting over the edge. “Damn it, Hunter. You made me mess up!”
He takes a seat on one of the stools across from me, and I do the best I can at removing the frosting from the side of the cake. Good enough.
“I’ve been standing here for two minutes. You’ve been lost in your own little world with a silly grin on your face. Something you’d like to share with the class?”
Just as he finishes his question, Ellie walks into the kitchen from the hallway behind me and startles me yet again.
“Yeah, Sadie. Is there a reason you’re absolutely glowing right now?” By the way her eyes lift and her lip curls into a wicked smile, she knows exactly what has me looking like a fool right now.
I finish the rest of the design on the top of the cake, purposefully taking my time before responding to my two meddling best friends. I brush my hands off on my apron and begin cleaning up the decorating supplies, refusing to make eye contact with either of them.
“Just excited about the party today.”
Ellie moves next to me, helping me pick up the rest of the piping bags and cleaning the counter for me. When I go to throw the bags away, I realize just how sore I am from earlier. Ellie must notice because she gasps.
“Oh my god, you’re walking funny! Sadie Mae Wilson! You dirty girl!’
Hunter groans and covers his ears. “Nope. Not listening. I do not need to hear about my best friend boning one of my players. Please let me leave before you say another word.”
With his hands still covering his ears, Hunter joins the guys outside. I wait until the door is closed before smacking Ellie on the arm.
“Damn it, Ellie! Keep your voice down. And since when are you so intuitive? That’s my job.”
Ellie laughs and walks over to the kitchen table where a few appetizers are already laid out. She pops a grape in her mouth and shrugs one shoulder. “I guess your sixth sense is rubbing off on me. Speaking of rubbing off…” She glances behind her at the group of guys trying, and utterly failing to hang the balloon arch. “I know by that look on your face and that funny walk you two finally crossed that line. He’s my captain, so Idon’tneed details, but I still need to ask, how are you? And I don’t mean your soreness. Where’s your head at now?”
Part of me wants to dish every detail about how sex with Niko may have altered my brain chemistry forever, but knowing that she’s his coach, I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. So I push all the girl talk away and focus on what she asked me.
“I’m good, Ellie.Really, really good.”
My best friend’s eyes light up and she clasps her hands in front of them, resting her chin at top. “Eek!” She walks over to me and throws her arms around me, hugging me tight. She pulls back but keeps her hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eye.
“You look really happy, Sadie. I know you were unsure of things, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you this happy before. It makesmereally happy.”
