“I’ll walk you home,” he says, pulling his boots on.
My lips quirk. “It’s like forty feet away.”
He winks, opening the door for me and following me out. “Wouldn’t want a cougar to get you.”
It’s cold outside, but dry and clear, and tiny pinpricks of light sparkle in the dark sky. Tate’s gaze lifts as we walk, lingering on the stars.
“So, did you figure out what you wanted to know tonight? From the other parents?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Not really.” He pauses, like he isn’t sure if he should continue. “She doesn’t have a lot of friends at school. I worry about her.”
He falls silent as we walk down the little path to the guesthouse.
“I, uh,” he starts, shooting me a wan smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “My father never showed interest in anything at my school. Never came to a single school play, parent-teacher meeting, hockey game, nothing.”
My heart twists. Same.
“So I try to be involved with Bea. It shows her that I care.”
Oh god. My heart. “That’s a good reason. You’re a great dad, Tate.”
“Yeah, well. I don’t know about that, but I try like hell.”
“You are,” I insist.
“It’s fine.” He laughs. “I wasn’t fishing for a compliment.”
“I know you weren’t.” There’s a steel to my voice that makes him look at me. “But you’re a great dad.”
“I’m away a lot.”
“But when you’re here, you’re present and giving her everything. And I’ll bet when you’re away, you talk to her all the time.”
“Every night.”
“And I’ll bet you think about her constantly.”
“Of course.”
“You’re a great dad,” I say again, firmly.
We’re at the guesthouse.
“Can I come in for a moment?” he asks as I key the door code in. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
The panties,my brain shrieks.He wants to talk about the panties.
“Sure.” My voice sounds tight, and I hold the door open as he follows me in.
“Yang-Hanson took a trade to Denver instead.”
“Oh.” Disappointment sinks in me. “He seemed so interested.”
“He was interested, alright.” Tate’s Adam’s apple bobs as he glances around my guesthouse, and for a moment, he looks almost... grumpy? “We’ll find someone else.”
“He was exactly what we needed.”
“He was fine. We’ll find someone else. Someone better.” He studies my face, and his expression softens. “You’ll find another player for us. I know you will.”
