“Right. Or you could start your book in the fall, enjoy your time with the baby.”
She looked thoughtful for a second. “It’s going to really change our lives.”
“It sure is. But I think we’re mature enough to handle it.”
There was that sexy curve of her lips.
“Okay, you are. I’ll be doing my best to act like I know what I’m doing.”
“I saw the baby books.”
I wasn’t trying to hide them, though I probably shouldn’t leave them lying around in case my family or teammates came over.
“Just trying to do my part.”
“I appreciate it. Though I’m not sure how much of a say you’ll get in the naming.”
“Hold up there. If I leave it to you, we’ll be naming our kid Escargot or Snaily Cyrus.”
She laughed. I loved the husky timbre in it. “What about Shelly? Because?—”
“Right, snails have shells. There you go again, Frank-explaining stuff to me. I did graduate magna cum laude.”
“What did you major in?”
“I was pre-med. Thought I might have a career in physio or sports training if the hockey thing didn’t pan out.” That’s right, Doc. I know my biology. Especially female anatomy.
It sounded like my academic achievements hadn’t come up in conversation with Sean. I wondered what she’d think if she knew every insult she threw my way about dumb jocks and brainless athletes had spurred me on. Had made me study harder, determined to prove her wrong. So we were kids, but those childhood slights had stuck. Slug Girl accepted her weird and went on to become a world-famous expert in her field. I worked my ass off on the ice and in the classroom because success—in all things—was of paramount importance to me. Not that I took a single iota of credit for the doc being such a big shot, but she definitely had more of an influence on me than I would ever admit aloud.
“And there I was thinking you coasted by on your thick thighs and sparkling smile.”
“Didn’t hurt. But I knew I wanted to be a hockey player the minute I saw Theo Kershaw play when I was eight years old. Then finding out a few years later that the guy was my brother?” I gave a low whistle. “Mind blowing.”
“I bet it was. I love seeing how close you’ve become. Theo’s a wonderful guy.”
“He is. And he’s built a great life.” Watch out. Might be sounding a little jealous there. “Is there pie?”
“Of course there is. Stay there and I’ll serve it, my lord and master.”
She was kidding, but again, I loved the dynamic here. Not that I wouldn’t be happy to get my own pie, but eating together and joking about baby names? This was my jam. Or maybe I was just desperate to Frankenstein a family life together because my own was so inadequate.
After pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream, I took care of the dishes while Franky put the rest of the leftovers away in the fridge.
“I’d better be off,” she said.
“Not sure I like the idea of you driving at this hour.” Or leaving at all.
Napping with her on the sofa, my arm around her middle, had given me all sorts of ideas.
First, about the tendrils of hair curled along her nape.
The curve of her neck, as graceful as a swan with one tiny little freckle I wanted to lick.
The warmth of her body as she unconsciously pressed against mine.
How I wanted nothing more than to drive into her and hold myself deep before I let go of everything I had inside her.
I followed her to the door, every cell in my body screaming to say something. Anything to make her stay.
