“Considering Connor was living quite a big bachelor life last season and now he has a wife, many might say this is sudden.”
Connor reconnects our hands, almost to counter my every move. “Everyone loves a second chance, right?”
“Oh, so you two are a second-chance story? You dated before?” Julia asks.
I laugh nervously. “You can say something like that. How could I live next to this hockey god growing up and not have had a thing for him? And since he has a thing for dancers, preferably the kind who keep their clothes on, then I think we can let the cat out of the bag and admit that we acted on it before. It’s not like we went to Vegas and acted careless.” My smile is far too easy for these half-lies.
Connor seems to enjoy my explanation. “She keeps me focused, this one. We were celebrating my good season and talking about how next season will be even better, then I realized that I can’t do this whole ‘will she or won’t she finally commit to my charm’ thing. I told her how I felt, and she said that I was right like always, and she wanted all in. We’ve known one another since she was in elementary school, we don’t need to go slow.”
“That really sounds like a whirlwind, but we also can’t deny the obvious. Connor, you come from a family of hockey professionals, a star player yourself, and Hadley is the daughter of a baseball legend. Surely, a grand wedding would have been in order. This is sports royalty at its best,” Julia comments, and I’m sure Connor’s uncle fed her that line.
I retreat my hand from Connor’s and return to his thigh that I clench, and he nearly yelps but keeps his smile. “Sometimes romance is better when it’s between two people,” I tell the reporter. “Besides, we’re here today at the spot where we grew up. Where Connor here would throw his teenage parties and walk me home. Always the perfect gentleman.”
“I would always be in the pool, and she would stop by with cupcakes decorated with sprinkles, throwing in indecent proposals that I just couldn’t deny,” he adds with that grin that could make a woman faint. Instantly, I squeeze his thigh with a bit of aggression.
“This is so cute. You’re both young; what plans do you have for newlywed life?” Julia asks as she adjusts her sunglasses on top of her head.
Connor nuzzles his nose into my cheek for show. “Practice for family expansion, of course.”
I nearly choke, and I’m positive my father over by the iced-tea pitcher just stretched his neck in agitation.
I nuzzle Connor back with my nose. “Con, I’m sure that’s a given. But I think what she meant was honeymoon or not.” I turn to Julia. “Probably down to the Florida Keys for some beach time. Nothing like a string bikini and a hockey player on your arm, right?”
“I think most women will be jealous of you, Hadley. Considering the Spinners are stars on and off the ice with those fun videos on social media. Connor is somewhat of a sex symbol, especially amongst romance readers who peg him for hockey boyfriend material in a book.”
Connor smirks proudly and relaxes his shoulders. “Am I? Nice.” I gently elbow him. “I mean, they better get in line. My wife is my one and only. Connor Spears is committed and tied down.”
“He loves being tied down,” I deadpan.
Julia’s eyes have curiosity in them, as if she is investigating the dynamic between Connor and me. Good for her, she might actually be good at her job.
Or we may just have calmed her skepticism when the photo session goes into full swing, and I find myself sitting at the end of the dock with Connor next to me and a request that we kiss for the camera…
8
CONNOR
With our feet hanging over the edge of the dock while we sit, my arm is firmly wrapped around my wife while we look out at Lake Spark. Hadley’s head leans against my shoulder, and I can’t help but kiss the top of her hair. It’s not my fault that she’s in prime position for a chaste kiss.
“Could we have a photo of you both kissing?” The photographer raises his request from where he stands at the start of the dock.
“I’m sure my wife can handle a little public affection,” I call out since they’re not close enough to hear.
Hadley grumbles a sound only I can hear. “Of course, our first kiss as husband and wife would be with our parents spectating.”
“Except they don’t know that,andit’s not really our first kiss in general," I give her in recap, “but enough going down memory lane.”
“Don’t remind me of my naïve self and your douchebag tendencies. Careful, the lake is deep here, I would hate for you to fall in. Then again, I didn’t sign a prenup, so that’s your bad if something should happen.”
My finger curls, and I capture her chin to tip up and guide her gaze to me. “I would take you with me. You enjoy getting wet around me.” I give her a contrite grin.
“Wishful thinking, Con.”
“Let’s deliver the fairytale, shall we? Committed, loving, insanely handsy.” My fingers land on her thigh, dragging the fabric of her dress up slightly to touch her silky skin right above her knee, feeling her body flinch, then seeing her mouth thin into a line as she tries to hold a breath because she enjoys this but will never admit it.
“Just kiss me,” she grits out, but it feels like an act.
Gladly.
