“Hey there, Doc,” he whispered in my ear.
“Hello. What time is it?”
“Close to ten.” I had fallen asleep during the hockey game, so that was at least four hours ago. “I got in about an hour ago. You didn’t reset the alarm.”
“I hadn’t intended to stay. You should have woken me up.”
“You looked so peaceful and like you needed the rest. So, do you usually break into random houses and watch hockey?”
I smiled into the decorative sofa cushion. I still hadn’t turned around. “Not a break-in, but guilty as charged to watching hockey. You played well.”
“So you saw the game? Or did I send you to sleep?”
“I was awake for most of it.”
“I liked seeing you here on my sofa.”
Don’t get used to this. I turned in his arms, the comfort of it overwhelming. “I borrowed a key from Lauren. I wanted to give you some Thanksgiving leftovers, but then I found you were well stocked up.”
“I am. But I’ll never say no to more.” He rubbed a hand soothingly over my stomach. “Does your body feel different?”
“Not really. I’ve been getting sick in the morning, but I take ginger and feel better. And my clothes still fit.”
“How was the holiday with your family?”
“Nice. Rosie and her dads were there, too. We usually share the holiday with them, which I’ve always loved.” Though this time, I felt a little off about it. Seeing everyone so loved up made me feel the lack of a partner for the first time.
So foolish. Here I was growing a child without having to go through the steps of settling down with a man, and I was feeling left out? Perhaps that’s why I was here, looking for comfort in all the wrong places.
“It’s pretty cool to have all that support.”
“It is. I’m very lucky.” I needed to appreciate it more instead of wanting things I couldn’t have.
He stood from the sofa and winced.
“What’s going on? Are you hurt?”
“Just a little sore after the game. I’m going to enjoy the next couple of days off.”
I was abruptly aware of what I’d done. Crashed this man’s life when all he wanted was some peace and quiet.
“I should leave you to rest.”
“I napped on the plane and now I’m hungry. Let’s break bread together, Francesca.”
I couldn’t say no to that.
There was no missing the extra care he took to walk toward the kitchen, and this place was big, so it took a while. I followed, taking note of his gait. He was hurting.
“How about you sit, and I’ll heat up some food?”
“You’re a guest,” he said.
“I’m an intruder. Let the woman feed the victorious warrior, home from battle.”
“I know you’re being sarcastic, but I kind of like the fantasy that presents, so carry on.” He took a seat at the kitchen island.
I removed a few containers, but before I went about reheating anything, I put together an ice pack inside a Ziplock and a Rebels dishtowel (the team had cornered the merch market on everything). Wordlessly, I passed it over and he took it equally silently, save for a grateful nod.
