“Was that supposed to be a question?” A dimple appears in her cheek, so I kiss that too.
I drop my voice and press my lips to her ear. “I have plans for dessert.” I stayed at her place last night, but yesterday was emotional for her. I want a night where she’s relaxed and everything isn’t steeped in stress and worry.
She tips her head up. “Me? I’m dessert.”
“All right, you two, save it for when you’re alone.” Dallas points the salad tongs at us.
Dred grins as she spoons sauces into bowls.
I give Tally some space and move to stand next to her. Later I’ll have her to myself and we can spend the night taking care of each other. We only have a few days before the next away series, and I want to make the most of our time.
We bring the food to the table, and everyone takes their seats.
Shilpa puts Pavin into his booster seat. He’s positioned between his parents and he bashes his knife and fork against the placemat. The kid is basically outfitted in the equivalent of a raincoat since eating is like a full-contact sport.
Dainty little Ariel is perched in her princess booster between her dad and Hammer. Her eyes are wide and she looks up at Roman like he hung the moon.
Tally hugs my arm and whispers, “They are so cute, aren’t they?”
“Ridiculously adorable,” I agree. We haven’t talked about kids, but she’s so good with Ariel and Pavin. I want a family, though. The picket fence, the babies, a house full of love. Will she stay for that? For me?
“Fajita nights are my favorite,” Kellan declares, pulling me out of my head and back into the moment.
“I second this,” Quinn agrees. “We used to do this in university with my housemates and our friends next door. Lovey always orchestrated it, and at least once a week we’d make acommunal meal and hang out like this. Makes me miss those days.”
“Is Lovey coming to visit again?” Rix asks. “I wish I could have spent more time with her when she was here for the special needs hockey dinner.”
“I’m sure she’ll be out this way again soon.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I was going to invite her to the gala, but I wasn’t sure how that would work with the auction.”
“We’re shifting it to a night on the ice, so it isn’t limited to the single guys, since you’re dropping like flies,” Hemi says. “And I mean that in a good way.”
“It has the potential to be just as successful. Each winner will have their own player, dedicated to them. There will be time on the ice with the team, followed by a fancy dinner,” Hammer adds.
“It’s so smart!” Dred says.
“We thought it would be a good way to make use of the whole team. Far more opportunities to make community connections that way,” Hemi adds.
“I hope the grandmas still bid,” Dallas says. “Helga Flourish sends me cookies every year for my birthday.”
“Didn’t she win a date your second year with the Terror?” I ask.
“Yup. Clearly I made a fantastic impression.” Dallas bats his lashes while Hemi rolls her eyes.
Ariel shrieks and tosses a handful of pico de gallo at Roman.
Hammer laughs. “Oh, this is precious.”
“It’s the onions, isn’t it?” Roman asks his youngest daughter in mock seriousness.
“N’onions!” Ariel shouts.
Pavin joins in by bashing his silverware on his tray, sending food flying in all directions.
Both Kellan and Quinn get hit.
“He’s all yours. I came out of the womb civilized.” Shilpa wipes salsa and corn off her cheek.
“He’ll be a drummer or a hockey player,” Ash says proudly, while picking chunks of taco meat out of his hair.
