The fact that she’s thinking about Sophia settles inside of me—warm, and a little unnerving.
Before I can think too much into it, Sadie is handing me something else. “I also got you some lavender roll-on oil. You can rub this on your pulse points before bed and even beforeyour meditation sessions to help calm down and reduce stress.”
Taking the small tube from her, I place it next to the other items on the floor. “Sadie, you didn’t have to get all of this. You could’ve made a list for me. It couldn’t have been cheap. How much do I owe you?”
Sadie waves me off. “Don’t even worry. I used the team card because this is a work-related expense. Word on the street is that our captain was struggling out there today.”
Her voice is teasing, and it has me chuckling. “Yeah, I was definitely not at my best on the ice.”
Sadie seems to be contemplating something as she chews on the inside of her cheek. Before I know what’s happening, she’s popping up and grabbing something from a plastic bin that was definitely not in here before practice.
Without any warning, she launches a cushion at me and it smacks me right in the chest. I hold it up and look at her in question. “What’s this for?”
She sits across from me on her own cushion and a playful grin tugs at her lips.
“Thatis for your first meditation session. It’s time you learn how to relax, Cap.”
It’s just after six o’clock when I stroll into the apartment I share with Ellie. Practice was over hours ago, but after teaching Niko some meditation techniques, I spent the next couple hours transforming my office into a tranquil meditation room.
The room turned out pretty amazing, if I do say so myself, and I’m feeling extra energized, even after a ten-hour work day.
Ellie’s in the kitchen making something that instantly has my mouth watering.
“Oh my god, that smells freaking delicious. Please tell me you’ll share?”
Ellie looks over her shoulder and smirks. “Of course. Don’t I always?”
“You do, but your six-four better half eats enough for a small army. I can never be too sure.”
She tosses the dish towel that was hanging on her shoulder at me. “Hey! He is not my better half. I’mhisbetter half.”
I grab a carrot from the veggie tray she put out on the counter and point it at her. “You’re absolutely correct. My apologies.”
Ellie straightens her shoulders, looking more than satisfied, and turns back to the stove to stir what looks like Chinese stir-fry.
“Where is that big ol’ oaf anyway?” I look around the apartment and don’t see any sign of Lincoln anywhere.
She removes the wok from the stove and places it on a potholder. Turning back around, she leans on the counter and brushes her hands on her sweatpants.
“He and Hunter went to see the new Marvel movie.”
Shocked, I drop the celery stick I was about to put in my mouth. “Without you?”
Ellie laughs. “Believe me. I was not pleased at first. I told him I wanted a girls’ night and he said there was no way he was going to Hunter’s again. I believe his exact words were ‘If I have to listen to him talk about that stalker romance book he’s reading for another minute, I think I’ll die.’”
A loud, ridiculous, “Ha!” escapes my mouth and I shake my head. “That boy isobsessedwith that series. We were up till midnight the other night reading it together. Taking him to the movies was a good call. Although, I’m not sure even a movie theatre could shut that boy up.”
We work together to plate our dinners, passing the rice and stir-fry back and forth. As soon as we’re satisfied, I turn to make my way to the breakfast nook but Ellie stops me.
“I was thinking we could eat Chinese, drink wine, and watch a classic rom-com like the good old days.” She nods her head toward the living room where I hadn’t noticed Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Lopez paused on the screen.
Giddy that we’re having one of our famous girls’ nights, I let out a squeal. “Eek! Yes, please. This is exactly what I need!”
It’s been a while since Ellie and I’ve had a night to ourselves like this. With her crazy travel schedule, my pop-up yoga sessions I’ve been planning for some cash flow, and herand Lincoln being all in love, we haven’t spent quality time together in forever.
We snuggle together on the couch under our oversized, knit throw blanket, and spend the next half hour eating and swooning over our favorite actor together while we watch the movie.
Ellie leans her head on my shoulder. “Gosh. How freaking charming is he right now?” I look at the screen and the two main characters are dancing together in the middle of the park.
