“Niko, of course I’d do that. Have I not made myself clear that I care about you and Sophia?”
As if the sound of her laughter wasn’t enough, her words cut straight through me to my core. Hearing that this wonderful woman cares aboutus, not just Sophia, is the push I needed.
I can’t quite explain it, but there’s just something about Sadie that makes me feel something I haven’t felt in a long time. What is that feeling? I don’t know exactly. Content? No, it’s more than that. Safe? Maybe. Intrigued? Definitely.
My mind’s running through the different possibilities of what this feeling coursing through me is when her voice steals my attention.
“What do you say, Cap?”
The playfulness in her voice has me shaking my head andsmiling. I surprise even myself with the words that come out of my mouth.
“You’re hired.”
I’m on my second meditation session of the morning, but nothing seems to help the nerves running though my system right now. I give up trying to calm myself down and walk over to where my phone sits on my nightstand and unhook it from the charger.
Maybe a green drink will make me feel better.
I make my way into the kitchen and grab everything I need for one of my favorite morning drinks. Spinach, parsley, a few carrots, an apple, a clove of garlic, and a small bit of ginger to add a little spice to wake me up this morning all go into my Ninja. Once I lock the top into place, I hit the Smoothie button and let it get to work.
Hopping up onto the counter, I open my phone to reread Niko’s text from last night one more time.
Niko
We’ll see you at nine. Sweet dreams, Sadie.
I sit there in my own little world, twirling my hair and reading his text, completely forgetting about my green drink.
“You gonna come drink this nasty thing or can I throw it away?”
Ellie snaps me out of my daze, and I look over to see her dangling the blender above the garbage can. Quickly, I hop off the counter to grab the handle before she can dispose of my drink.
“No, you may not throw it away. That would be a crime.”
She makes a fake gagging noise and I roll my eyes at her before pouring my drink into my tumbler. Taking a sip, I lick my lips and make a dramatic “ahh” sound to show her just how enjoyable my drink is.
“Tastes like a million bucks.”
Ellie shivers before leaning against the counter. She eyes my phone that sits open next to my tumbler of green drink.
“How’s Niko doing?”
Ignoring the fact that she knows it’s Niko who has me staring at my phone, I feign nonchalance. “Good. He hopes to be back on the ice in a few games.”
Keeping my head down to avoid her judgy eyes, I scroll on my phone, hoping she’ll drop it.
“Word on the street is, you’re his new nanny.”
I drop my phone and jaw at the same time. “How the hell do you already know that? This all happened at like midnight last night!”
The word “nanny” catches me off guard too. I’m just helping out a friend. Right?
Ellie laughs at me before turning around to pour herself a cup of coffee to go.
“Hockey guys gossip more than high school girls, Sadie. Nothing is safe with them.”
My mouth still hangs open as I take in her words. “You’re telling meNikois a gossip?”
Ellie snorts and coffee comes flying out of her nose. “Oh my god! You didnotjust see that. If I find out you do any gossiping of your own and tell someone that just happened, you are dead meat.”
