“I would like that.”
We’re frozen with one another, feet planted on the floor. “I heard we’ve both been cornered by our friends over our latest developments.”
“Oh, we have.” His body completely relaxes from the humor of all this.
“The moms at school have already been assuming for weeks, but if they ever receive a fact, then I’m positive they’ll be grabbing the pitchforks. Don’t really care. I still get to fuck you, not them.”
Holden breaks out in laugh. “I… I love how you always present life in a positive way, minus pitchforks.”
I feel like I’m melting. I don’t need to kiss Holden or have sex. Just being in his presence weakens everything inside of me.
“I should probably get to those calls.” I make it not even half a step before Holden touches my arm to ensure I can’t pass. “Is there something else?”
His face changes to a shade of vulnerability. It only ups the ante of connection because it’s a side I’m aware not many people see. “You’re still satisfied with what’s going on between us, right?”
I just want to throw my arms around him and kiss him. “Do I look like someone who isn’t? I am completely happy and satisfied,” I assure him.
Relief floods his face. He’s just as scared as I am in this exhilarating rollercoaster that we’re on. But his relief twists into something else. His eyes send a straight line over my shoulder, and he freezes.
“Why do you look like that?” Now fear hits me.
Holden clears his throat, almost nervous. “There is someone here for you.”
“Like who?” I only turn halfway and a startled shriek bursts out of me. “Daddy?”
My father stands a few feet from me in a windbreaker and long khakis. It doesn’t matter because his outfit most definitely doesn’t match his cold glare directed at the man now behind me.
“Coach Moore,” Holden greets my father.
“Holden,” he replies, a little too firm for my liking. His eyes float between Holden and me.
Maybe Holden gets a hint or he just wants to escape, but he is quick to say, “I’ll leave you two to catch up. Good to see you, Coach Moore. Feel free to grab lunch or drinks in the restaurant or patio, on the house. Maybe I will join you later to talk about old times.”
“Good to see you too, I think.”
My head spins between them until Holden smiles tightly and leaves us be.
I prepare myself for my father’s unexpected arrival. I do my best to form an excited smile. “Daddy, this is a surprise.” I walk to his open arms for a bear hug, because although we sometimes have odd moments, that soft spot as Daddy’s Little Girl is always there.
“I wanted to surprise you while we have a little break on the team schedule, even if this town doesn’t have the right team when it comes to hockey.” Of course, the Spinners are his rivals. “And you’ve been too busy for time with your old man. Your mother sends her love, but she has her book club meeting that happens only once a month.”
“I forget that she’s still doing that. Ever since I was a little girl,” I reflect. It takes me a moment for my bearings to return. “Come on, let’s go grab a drink out by the lake. The weather is great.”
“Sounds like a plan. You have to show me some of your work first.”
I interlace our arms and begin the tour. In the end, I only explain the lobby and show him a few touches near the private party room. Mostly because it’s still a little frenzied with a few contractors scattered around, and housekeeping is busy working their daily rounds. But in all honesty, I wanted to speed up to our conversation.
We grab two iced teas and a bowl of nuts from the bar and go outside to sit at a table on the patio.
“Everything looks great. I’m proud of you, Lexi.”
My father’s praise causes me to smile. “Thanks, Dad.”
His gaze turns firm in my direction. “Must be fun staying here while you’re busy with the project.”
An ice cube falls out of my mouth. “Did I not mention… I’m staying with Holden. In the guest room since the guesthouse had a water issue, and there was a leak here, but they still need a few rooms open for guests…” I quickly sew together a sentence.
My father’s eyes darken. “How convenient.” Not one ounce of sincerity is in his tone. “It was only a few years ago that he was on my team, and I coached him. He had a lot of drama in his life. Kids, divorce, a lot of attention from women and the press.”
