“Yeah? Both of them want to see you?”
“They’re already planning it,” I said. “There’s a running argument in our group chat over who gets to buy dinner. And guess what?”
“They want to go to a poutine place?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “They want you to come.”
“Me?” He whistled. “Are you sure?”
“Zero doubt. They want to meet the man who stole my heart.”
He stepped behind me and kissed my neck. “If you want me there, babe, I’m in.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Will I get a reward?”
I already saw where this was going, so I deadpanned, “I’ll make sure we go to a steak place.”
“What if I said…” He placed his hands on my hips and pressed himself against me. “I might prefer another kind of meat.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t worry, you’ll get that too.”
“Exactly what I wanted to hear.”
He stayed behind me while I put the chicken on the grill.
“Ready for this roadie?” I asked.
“Sure. Who doesn’t love Toronto and Detroit?”
“What about Buffalo?”
“No comment.”
I scoffed, then paused for effect. “You fucker.”
“Hey! I was just going to ask if you’re looking forward to seeing your buddies?”
I nodded. “We’re staying with Riley and Logan. They already claimed us.”
After peeking into the oven, he said, “Good. I get tired of team hotels.”
He seemed calmer now, but I still sensed something under the surface.
What are you thinking, Nix?
When he took the pan out of the oven, the smell of roasted Brussels sprouts filled the kitchen. We plated dinner, and when he looked up, there was a question in his eyes. I almost asked what was on his mind, but I let it go instead. He’d tell me when he was ready.
NICO
After dinner, Pack washed the dishes while I dried, both of us moving to music we loved back in college. Every time our hips bumped, my hand went to my pocket. The box was still there, like it had been all day. Hell, it had been there all week and part of the week before. I kept waiting for the perfect moment, but what if there wasn’t one? Maybe I just had to take the shot.
We’d planned to watch our favorite show, and on the way to the living room, I checked my pocket again. Still there.
Now? Is this the moment?
He stretched out on the couch, and I settled in beside him. I’d barely turned on the TV when his phone buzzed with a message.
