“Like…have you always wanted to be a singer? Do you want to live in Nashville the rest of your life? Favorite player on the Knights? You know, basic things.”
“Yes, no, and Noah.”
“Really?” I quirk a brow at her as I slap the steaks on the grill.
“You set me up for it. I think you know the answer to that.”
“Good.” I close the lid and turn around to face her. “If you don’t want to live in Nashville, where would you live?”
“I’d move out to the country. Get away from the city.”
“You don’t seem like a farm kinda girl.”
She nods, sipping her drink and kicking her legs out into the empty seat across from her. “My grandparents used to live on a farm. I loved their old house. It was painted red, and during the summer, we used to collect chicken eggs and sing songs together. Those are some of my favorite memories.”
Resting the tongs on the table, I drop my hands on either side of her and stare down into her eyes. “I guess that’s where you got wanting to sing from.”
“Did you always want to be a hockey player?” she asks, looping her fingers through my belt loops.
“It was about the only thing I was good at growing up, so I figured why not?” I confess. “I don’t think I’d be good at anything else.”
“I doubt that.” Her breath ghosts over my mouth.
“I think it’s why I’ve stuck around so long in the league. I don’t know what else I would do.”
“Stick with me, kid. I can help.”
“Kid? Really?”
“It was right there.” She giggles and I love the sound. “Maybe you can come on tour with me.”
“Like a professional groupie?” I kiss her neck before pulling out of her hold. I miss her warmth immediately.
Quinn sips her beer. “Not quite what I had in mind, but maybe if I tour again, we could work something out.”
“Things are escalating pretty quickly for a first date. Already talking about going on tour together?”
Tending to the steaks, I flip them, making sure the first side is done.
“Well, we did get to know each other pretty well before said date. I’m glad you didn’t give up on me, Jasper,” Quinn says. “Dating in my line of work isn’t the easiest.”
Casting a look over my shoulder at her, I see she’s picking at the label on her beer bottle.
“I know it’s not always easy for us guys, but I can’t imagine what it was like for you.”
“I—” Before she can finish her thought, the timer on her phone beeps. “Brussels sprouts are done. I’ll go grab everything.”
“Okay.”
I watch her go, studying her curvy frame. God, I’m really hoping this night goes well. I’ve wanted Quinn for as long as we’ve been talking.Cravedher.
I’m hoping that tomorrow I’ll be making her breakfast before heading in for an early workout before our game.
“These smell amazing, and if you don’t like them, you’re going to break my heart.” Quinn sweeps back out onto the terrace with a steaming bowl of something that smells pretty damn good in one hand and the plates and silverware in another.
“How’d you make them? They smell good.”
“It’s a honey sriracha glaze. You air fry them or roast them in the oven just right and they aren’t soggy.”
