Hearing that made my belly flutter with nerves. What if she decided not to like me? What if she thought we were moving too fast and worried I was trying to trap her son like all those other women?
Tanner brought us to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Turning toward me, he placed his finger beneath my chin and tilted my head back so those warm amber eyes could scan my expression. “Your brain is spinning. I can see it in your eyes. What are you thinking about?”
I tugged on my bottom lip with my teeth. “Nothing...”
Something flashed over his features like realization dawning. “You’re worried she won’t like you.”
I narrowed my eyes and scowled at the shit-eating grin that took over his face right after he said that. “You know, you don’t have to smile about it.”
He laughed openly, tugging me back against his side and setting us back into motion. “I’m sorry.” The accompanying chuckle sure as hell didn’t sound sorry. “You’re just so cute when you’re worrying over nonsense.” I reached over, sliding my hand beneath his coat to pinch his side. My own smile bloomed at the high-pitched yelp he let out. “Jesus, you’re a vicious little thing, aren’t you?”
“You’d be wise not to forget it,” I warned. “And it’s not nonsense. It’s totally rational to think your mom might not be a fan of the woman who let you in her pants the very first day she met you. Especially given your past with women trying to useyou.” If I were in his mother’s shoes, I’d probably be warning him away from me.
“Well, first of all, I’m not running to tell her every time I get laid, so I left out the part about already getting into your pants.”
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly at his teasing tone. “Well that was stupid, because I told all my friends and family about it. In great detail.” His head whipped around to me, and I burst into laughter at his expression. “Oh my god, I’m just kidding!” I said through a fit of giggles. “You should see your face right now!”
He let out a playful growl and lunged, burying his face in my neck where he knew I was the most ticklish. By the time he finished his assault, the muscles in my stomach were aching from how hard I was laughing.
“That wasn’t nice,” he grumped as we rounded the corner onto the street One More Chapter was on. “But seriously, you have nothing to worry about, baby. She’s already hinted about wanting to make a trip up to Hope Valley. She said it was to see me, but I know her, and she’s excited by the thought of meeting you.”
My eyes went wide. “She wants to meet me?”
Tanner’s brows pinched together, his head tilting to the side. “You sound surprised.”
“Because I am. I...” I sputtered for a few beats, momentarily at a loss for words. “We’ve only been dating for two weeks.” I took a breath as I searched for the courage to bring up the thought that had been plaguing me. “Aren’t you worried that maybe we’re moving a little fast?”
Something moved over his face at my question. The light in his eyes only moments ago darkened, and his features dulled. “Are you?”
My mouth opened, the words ready to spill out, but I forced myself to pause. To really think over the past couple of weeks. “No,” I said with complete honesty. “Which is probably insane,right? From the outside looking in, we probably look like we’re moving at warp speed.”
My shoulders sagged with relief as some of that brightness returned. “I know what you mean. But I don’t give a damn what anyone on the outside may think.”
That little voice in the back of my head that insisted on being rational at all times reminded me we were probably taking things quickly because we both knew there was an expiration date on whatever it was we were doing. I wasreallystarting to hate that stupid voice and her dumb logic.
Letting out an exhale, I leaned into him so we could continue on our way. “Well, if your mom comes for a visit, I’d love to meet her.”
It wasn’t a lie, really. I did want to meet the woman Tanner spoke of so fondly. She had to be incredible to have raised such a wonderful man. Still, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be rattled with nerves.
We were coming up on Muffin Top when the glass door swung open and the last two people I wanted to see came walking out. Rebecca spotted me first, and the instant she did, her hand flew out and latched onto Blane’s, lacing their fingers together. Her mouth started to twist with an arrogant sneer, but froze before it fully formed when she noticed who was walking beside me.
A moment later, Blane lifted his gaze from his phone, and he finally noticed me. “Holly,” he said, surprise mixed with something that looked like guilt swept over his features. “Uh, hi.”
“Blane,” I replied, my expression and tone neutral.
His eyes cut to the side, focusing on Tanner, and I didn’t miss the way he tried to puff out his chest and straighten his shoulders. Not that any of that would bring him anywhere close to Tanner’s size. Actually, seeing the two men side by side for thefirst time, the differences between them glared as brightly as the sun. Beside Tanner’s chiseled features and massive frame Blane looked... dull. Boring. Seeing it now, it was taking everything in me not to laugh.
I felt Tanner’s body stiffen and his gaze on my profile as I pasted on a grin that I hoped was pleasant enough. When I looked up at him, I could see the question written on his face. He knew who Blane was. I’d told him about my past history, and he was silently trying to make sure I was okay. With him at my side, I was more than okay.
“Blane, Rebecca, this is Tanner.”
Blane’s hand shot out. “Good to meet you. Huge fan.Huge.” It hit me just then that I’d totally forgotten that hockey was the only sport Blane watched. But when he was sitting on the couch in front of the television, there was no end to the criticism he threw at the screen. He loved to talk like he was an expert. He made it sound as if he could play better than the men paid millions to do so.
Instead of taking his hand, Tanner stared at it for a second like it was a bug he was considering squishing, but lifted his gaze back to Blane’s face, arching a single brow until Blane slowly lowered his hand.
“You are?” I cocked my head to the side and gave him a sarcastic frown. “The way you always yelled at the screen, I thought you hated the sport. What was it you were always calling the players?” I snapped my fingers together. “That’s right. Stupid, toothless meatheads barely a step up from cavemen. That’s what you called them.”
Tanner tried and failed to cover his laugh with a cough as Blane’s entire face started to glow red as a tomato.
