Without letting go, I kiss the side of her head. “I love you to the moon and back, baby girl.” We hold each other tight for another minute or two. When Sophia loosens her hold on me, I lean back and brush her blonde hair out of her face.
With Sophia’s comfort on my mind and us being in an unfamiliar place, I suggest a new plan. “What do you say we head home and we can talk about all of this with a bowl of ice cream?”
She wraps her arms around my neck and bounces up and down in my arms. “Yes, Daddy! That’s the perfect plan!”
Once she’s done hugging me, I stand to thank Sadie for watching Sophia today, but Sophia is dropping the goat stress ball and grabbing Sadie’s hand before I can say anything.
“Daddy, can Miss Sadie come too?”
Sadie and I look at each other hesitantly, both unsure if that’s the best idea right now. Sadie lets go of Sophia’s hand and leans down to get on Sophia’s level again. I can tell she’s about to tell Sophia she can’t join us and my instincts cut her off before she can get a word out.
“Please, Sadie. It would mean a lot to both of us if you were there.”
Sadie eyes me cautiously. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I’m sure.”
Sadie stands straight and grabs Sophia’s hand again. “It looks like we have an ice cream date then.”
The three of us walk hand-in-hand out of the arena, and I’m left feeling far too excited by the worddate.
The drive to Niko’s house on the outskirts of the city was less awkward than I imagined it would be. I usually carpool with Ellie or use her car when she rides with Lincoln to the rink, so my only option was to jump in Niko’s Yukon unless I wanted to pay for an Uber. Sophia entertained us the entire drive by singing “Who Says” at the top of her lungs with not a care in the world.
That little girl owns a piece of my heart, and I’m not even sure when it happened.
Niko opens his three-car garage to pull his vehicle in, and I’m surprised to see a Subaru Outback sitting at the far side of the garage. I wonder whose vehicle that is? The only other items sitting in here are a pink motorized Jeep, a couple of bikes, and a scooter.
Once I close the passenger door, I round the back of the car where Niko is getting Sophia out of her car seat. “I was expecting to see a fancy sports car or something, not a Subaru.”
He closes the door and raises an eyebrow at me. “What’s wrong with a Subaru? It’s an extremely safe, practical car.”
I raise my hands in front of me. “Hey, it’s a great choice for a dad. I’m not judging.”
“Aren’t you, though?” He smirks at me, and I feel my knees go weak.
Niko leads the way inside through an impressive mudroom. We pass a beautiful half bathroom and pantry before getting to the kitchen. Sophia rushes past Niko and disappears up the stairs. Niko leans back against the island crossing his arms, looking far too amused.
“Besides, do I really look like the kind of guy who would have a fancy sports car?” He lifts Sophia’s bright pink backpack off the counter, emphasizing his point. “And if you must know, I bought the Subaru for Sophia’s nanny. When she had one, I mean. I felt more comfortable buying something for them rather than trusting their cars. “
“That makes sense. I just wasn’t sure what you did in your spare time. A sports car could come in handy,” I tease.
Niko shakes his head and then gestures to the stools sitting near his island. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable before interrogating me.”
I mirror his earlier pose and cross my arms over my chest and ignore his offer to sit down. “I am not interrogating you. I was simply suggesting that hockey players have a rather luxurious and carefree lifestyle. I didn’t know if you partook in those types of things.”
Niko takes a step closer to me, closing the distance between us. I could reach out and run my fingers through his stupidly, perfect blond hair if I wanted to.
But I don’t want to. No, that would be crazy.
“If you haven’t noticed, Sophia is my entire world. And, considering who your best friend is, I’m sure you’ve heard about my current childcare problems. I barely have time to sleep, let alone go out for a night.”
Shit.Now I feel like an asshole. He’s the one who told me about his sleep issues and Sophia sleeping in his bed. Why thehell did I insinuate he would drive sports cars and go out at night like some dumb jock?
Feeling embarrassed, I uncross my arms and begin fidgeting with the necklace I’m wearing. “I’m sorry, Niko. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just teasing. Of course, Sophia is your number one priority.”
I avert my gaze and move the tiger’s eye pendant back and forth on the chain around my neck.
Niko’s hand reaches out and covers my own, stopping my fidgety movements. Surprised, I finally look at him to see his baby blues watching me.
