I open the door wide. “Come on. I’ll show you around the house. No one knows better than I do the torture you’re gonna be in for if you live with your parents while you’re here.”
Her mouth opens and then closes. I can practically see the wheels churning in her mind.
“The city’s crowded, Winter. And not everyone who advertises for a pet sitter should be trusted.”
She inhales so sharply I hear it catch in her throat.
“You okay?” I ask her.
“Yes,” she stammers. “Fine. But I don’t think you and I are good housemates material.”
“Maybe not, but the chances of finding a safe place for rent this short notice is nil. Plus, you get a twofer—me and Theo here.” I gesture to the cat, who’s watching us both closely.
“What about your…” She almost seems to force the next word out. “Wife? Or is it girlfriend? And your…” Another pause before she says in nearly a whisper, “Baby?”
I cock my head. “I’m not following. It’s just me here, Win. That’s why I need someone to look after Theo when I’m away.”
She exhales. “The agency told me you had a family—and Iknowshe mentioned a baby.”
I hold up my hands. “I ain’t got no baby, darlin’. Don’t you think Peyton or Ash would have mentioned that to you?”
She shakes her head. “Outside of hockey, I ask my friends not to relay any personal information about you.”
Ouch. “Well, I’m not a daddy. The agency must have gotten their information mixed up. I told them my brother moved out of here because he had a baby and got married. In that order.”
Her eyes soften. “Which brother?”
“Liam. Max and Jared are still playing hockey for the Montana Wild Kings.”
“That’s right. Well, congratulations to Liam.” Winter reaches over to pet Theo. “So he and Cathy stayed together, huh?”
“Yeah. When Cathy got pregnant, and then she gave birth and they tied the knot, this place just felt too small for them. Didn’t want his little brother hanging around anymore while he changed diapers, I guess.”
“Did you change any diapers?”
“Of course. I changed plenty of Lulu’s diapers. She’s my goddaughter and my favorite person in the world.”
Winter’s pretty pink lips part. “That’s sweet, Hunt.”
I touch Winter’s sandaled foot with my bare one. “So you’ll move in and take care of Theo here? You get your own suite.”
She stares up at me. “Won’t this kind of…suck? You and I haven’t exactly been close lately. I can explain to the agency that I’m the one who turned the job down, and I’m sure they can find you someone else who’s qualified.”
I swallow hard. “I want you, Winter.”Always have.
Our eyes lock. Whether or not she sees what’s surely written all over my face—that nothing’s changed since we were kids—I don’t know.
Until she says gently, “You still can’t live alone, Hunt?”
I look past her at Theo. “I’ve got Theo.”
“You thought he’d be enough to kill the memories?” she asks in a strangled tone like she’s reliving my father’s murder as much as I am.
I force myself to meet her gaze. “I don’t know. Maybe?”
She nods. “I get it. Okay. I’ll give it a try.”
I take Winter’s hand in mine and lead her into the house.
