I exhale a deep breath when her answer finally comes through.
Sadie
See you at six.
I’m just setting the baking dish onto the counter when the doorbell rings. I wipe my hands on the towel that’s thrown over my shoulder and try to get to the door before Sophia can. I’m down to one crutch which makes things easier but damn, I’m over it already.
I grab the door handle, count backward from five to attempt to steady my beating heart, and then swing the door open. I’m so glad I beat Sophia to the door because holy fuck. Sadie is a vision.
Wearing a simple long-sleeved black dress, Sadie looks anything but. Her hair spills over her shoulders in waves, the purple streaks popping even more so this evening. Her brown eyes are glowing against the simplicity of the dress, and I feel them assessing me as I do the same to her. The dress frames Sadie’s curves like it was made specifically for her and my eyes take an extra second to memorize the way it hugs her hips. Nothing about the dress is flashy, but she looks breathtaking all the same. Proof that her beauty needs no embellishment.
“Hi.” Sadie’s voice is shy, softer than I’ve ever heard it before. The only proof I need that she might be feeling even half of what I do right now.
I do my best to find the right words, but nothing comes out of my mouth. I shake my head. “I’m sorry. Just…wow. Sadie, you look absolutely beautiful.”
She looks down at the dress she’s wearing and then back up to me. “Thanks, Niko. You’re looking rather handsome yourself.”
I’m wearing a pair of dark jeans and a navy button-down shirt. I feel millions of miles out of Sadie’s league but I try like hell not to let my insecurities show. I huff a small laugh. “Thank you.”
Sadie shivers, and I realize she’s still standing on my porchin forty-degree weather. Although it’s the end of April, the air here in Green Bay can still be unforgiving in the evening.
“Come in, come in. Let’s get you warmed up.”
As much as I wish it was me warming her up, I gesture her into the living room where I’ve lit the fire for tonight. It’s a simple dinner with Sadie and Sophia, but after her reaction to the gifts and knowing no one has ever cherished her, part of me wanted to make it special for Sadie.
She takes a seat on the chair by the fire, crossing her legs and turning toward the fire. The firelight paints her legs in shifting gold and shadow, every curve and line glowing.
“Where’s Sophia?”
Sadie’s question has my eyes shifting from her legs to her face.
“She’s upstairs in her room playing. Let me grab her, then we can eat.”
I turn to make my way to the stairs but Sadie’s voice stops me. “I’ll get her. No need to climb the stairs with your injury. How long until dinner so I can give her a heads-up?”
Right. Dinner. With my daughter and her nanny.
“Dinner’s ready. Why don’t you tell her five more minutes?”
Sadie shoots me a smile and nods before starting up the stairs. Before she gets to the top, I’m shouting out a question at her. “Would you like some wine?” I literally have no idea where my brain went tonight.
“Wine would be great. And before you ask, red or white is fine. I’m not picky.” Sadie turns, and then she’s gone down the hallway toward Sophia’s room.
And I’m left with the ghost of her smile, more intoxicating than any wine I could ever pour.
“Wait, so you’re telling me that Connor is afraid offeet?” Sophia and Niko are both keeled over the table laughing hysterically. I nearly had wine come out of my nose when Sophia let me in on that little secret.
Niko wipes under his eyes that are now wet with tears from laughing so hard. “Yep. You should see how uncomfortable he gets in the locker room. It’s fu—freaking hilarious.” Niko stops himself from cussing. He’s already had to contribute three dollars into the swear jar during dinner.
The thought of Connor, an arguably extremely handsome, grumpy hockey player, being afraid of bare feet is something I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around. He’s so quiet. Picturing him screaming and running away from bare feet in a locker room has me joining in on Sophia and Niko’s laugh session.
“I need to see it with my own eyes. Can we please make this happen somehow?”
Sophia looks over at her dad. “Maybe Uncle Connor can come over for dessert?”
“Nice try, sweetheart. But it’s already past your bedtime.” He ruffles Sophia’s hair, and she groans.
“Is Miss Sadie sleeping here tonight?”
