Violet lifts her brows and turns to lean against the counter next to the sink. “Let’s rewind a second, the whole hot-Vaughn mention. How is that going, beyond the parenting thing?”
My cheeks raise because I am happy. “We’re seeing where things go, but it feels promising. It was kind of odd doing the whole date thing, considering our past encounters, but it was just right.”
She throws a knowing smirk in my direction. “Thought so. I caught wind of those occasional glances with one another and his constant need to keep his hand glued to you. Were you two whispering? Because I’m sure I saw that before you giggled like a woman possessed by a man.”
I laugh and stay focused on my blush. “You and Declan are the same.”
She feigns doubt with a sound. “He is my husband, but we also started as a purely physical fling. However, normally when something like that carries on, it’s because there are deep underlying feelings.”
I blow out a breath and turn to accompany her in leaning against the counter. “You’re right. We’re just both kind of scared that we might be blinded by the cloud of bliss that a new child brings. It would be the wrong reason to be together just because we felt an obligation, but then he said something…”
She pretends to clap her hands together and seems invested in my explanation. “Do tell.”
I bite my inner cheek because Vaughn said something poignant, and he wasn’t even trying. “He mentioned that maybe Nora is what brought us together to realize what we should be.”
Violet gushes for me before she gently touches my arm. “That is more than promising, that’s commitment. Sounds like he’s there, you just need to accept it and decide if you’re ready to jump in.”
I chortle a laugh and turn my body back to the mirror to assess myself, and I feel and appear more radiant than I have in a long time. “Vaughn is a guy who won’t relent, yet he has been patient. I’m beginning to see that it’s me holding us back.”
Violet side-glances to me. “If that’s clear to you, then you just have to be the one to take action.”
My head tilts as I stew in her words for a few seconds. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Do it in your time and be sure, but it’s your turn.”
I nod once in understanding, and she offers me her lipstick, and I hand her my blush. “This is a nice evening. It kind of feels as though the team is not just a team but a sort of community and family.”
“For sure. Declan wanted it that way. I do my best not to get too close to the wives of the players, except Hadley, of course. Players come and go, but the management team is slightly more stable.”
“That makes sense.”
We both put our makeup back in our purses. “Enough relationship talk. We need to praise our kids with the latest photos.”
A proud smile hits me as we both open the screens of our phones and begin our few minutes of child talk.
By the time I’m back at the table, Vaughn seems to be nearly done with his wine. I place my hand on his shoulder right before he leans in.
“You were gone for a while, I was nearly scared you ran away.” He winks at me, and those damn dimples are going to cause a flood between my thighs.
“Never,” I rasp, and I wonder if he heard me, as someone attempts to grab his attention.
I don’t mind being his plus-one and not getting much alone time with Vaugh. It allows me the opportunity to explore my deep thoughts that have been floating in me lately. Except it’s not a thought; it’s truly a feeling that we can be more.
Vaughn brings his gaze back to me as the person went onto a new topic with someone else. “You okay? You seem a little out of it.” His subtle smirk informs me that he must be aware that I’m contemplating.
My eyes flutter, as if I’m slipping out of a daze. “Oh yeah, totally.” I reach for my wine to take a sip.
He chuckles under his breath. “Won’t be much longer?—”
Declan slaps a hand on Vaughn’s shoulder. “This man here is who we need to keep everyone in line. Hope you’re ready for me to steal him away for the season.”
“I’m sure I’ll behave in his absence,” I retort, and both men laugh in response.
“Enjoy the last few days together before preseason games,” Declan mentions.
“She will.” Vaughn stares at me intensely, and I’m curious what dirty thoughts are running through his head right now.
Declan grins as he walks away, because Vaughn and I are locked into facing one another with understanding eyes.
