I don’t know what I expected, but Easton taking this seriously and keeping his teammates in check wasn’t how I thought this would go.
The guys are all having the time of their life. They put good effort into the poses, but when the goats interact with them they basically have hearts in their eyes.
Despite my surprise when I found out who was taking today’s class, I can’t hold back the content feeling I get every time I see animals helping people relax and let go of any worries they’re carrying with them.
Easton ends up with a brown and white goat climbing into his lap while we’re working on stretching our hips. He smilesdown at it, letting it sniff his crooked finger. It settles down for a nap and he winds up spending the next fifteen minutes absorbed in the goat like nothing else in the world exists.
My heart gives a squeeze at the sight. What is it about a guy snuggling animals in his strong arms that is so damn attractive?
Easton catches my eye, stroking his sleeping goat’s cheeks. My pulse thunders.
Concentrating through the second half of the session is challenging. I keep getting distracted watching him when I’m supposed to be leading them through the final poses. He can definitely tell because he keeps peeking at me until we finish.
After the photo we take at the end of every session, Easton lingers while his teammates file out. He helps me herd the goats to the paddock behind the pavilion while Hana hangs by the door talking to Elijah.
“You seemed like you enjoyed that,” I say.
“Any time I get to spend with you is enjoyable.” He winks when I laugh. “Actually, it was pretty cool. Might have to come back again. We bonded.”
He points to the brown and white goat playing with another one. It’s the one he cradled in his lap when it fell asleep. Once we have them all in the paddock, he rests his forearms on the gate. I do the same beside him.
“So,” he starts.
“So.”
“There’s a party at our place next weekend.”
I hum. “Have fun with that.”
He angles his head to look at me with a soft smile. “I will if you’re there. What do you say?”
“I mean…”
“Say yes.”
He hits me with that damn puppy look, smoldering gaze piercing through me. Biting my lip, I mull it over.
“Okay.”
His face splits with a heart-stopping smile. “Yeah?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes.”
He whoops, drumming a victory beat on the gate. He wraps his arms around my waist and swings me around. I choke back a scream so I don’t startle the goats, laughing at his antics.
“Easton? We’re about to leave,” Elijah calls from the pavilion.
He puts me down and brushes hair from my face. “See you.”
A warm laugh bubbles out of me. “Bye, weirdo.”
Hana walks down the small hill sloping off the pavilion and joins me. We lean against the gate, watching the two hockey players walk away.
ELEVEN
EASTON
After pokingthe burning logs to stir the fire pit, I sink into a folding lawn chair with a sated groan, patting my full stomach. Nights like these are where it’s at. I love being on the ice alongside my boys, but it’s just as great to vibe with them around the fire in the yard following a meal.
