I’ve been walking around the house in the couple of hours between when the nurse leaves and Zoe shows up. I want to get stronger so I can convince Coach to move up the physical and let me back on the ice. Missing too much time is not something I can afford. We’re heading for the playoffs, and I need to be prepared for that, which will prove impossible if I’m stuck in this bed.
But I also know I can’t rush it. The examination will be thorough, and if I miss by one point, Coach will potentially bench me for the entire season.
Zoe pokes her head through the door, giving me a hesitant smile before walking in.
“How are you feeling?”
“Same as yesterday.”
She nods, leaning against the doorway. “That’s good.”
When she says nothing else, I speak. “You don’t have to be here, you know. I don’t need help.”
“I promised the hospital I’d help look after you. You have a concussion, and someone has to keep an eye on you.”
“It doesn’t have to be you though, since you clearly don’t want to be here.” I arch a brow at her, and she narrows her gaze at me.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No. I want you to stop ignoring me. I think I preferred it when you wanted to wring my throat.”
She laughs. “I still want to do that.”
I can’t stop the smile from creeping onto my face. “I doubt that, little butterfly.”
“Don’t,” she warns.
“Come here.”
She sighs, biting her lip and shaking her head.
Fucking hell, that lip bite.
“Do I need to come grab you?”
She rolls her eyes, and her defiance instantly makes my dick hard.
“Why didn’t you revoke my application for the architectural position like you promised you would?”
I gasp. “Did you get an interview?”
“Dominik,” she snaps.
“You did, didn’t you?” I’m too excited to be bothered by her attitude. This news is making my heart race. I expected this moment, and I was ready to face her fury because I knew she would be picked, not because of my intervention, but because she’s amazing.
“Yes. Why didn’t you pull my application?” Zoe asks again, her expression harder to read than every other time she’s been upset with me.
“Because you deserve the world, Zoe. And if I can be the one to help you see that, then I’ll be the luckiest guy in the world, dead or alive.”
Her eyes soften for just a second before she corrects them. “You’re ridiculous.”
I don’t even bother smothering the shit-eating grin on my face. “So, did you accept the interview?”
Zoe nods, glancing away. “Thank you.”
“There is no need to thank me. This is all you.”
She shifts on her feet, looking out of place, but a smile blooms on the corner of her lips, and I love seeing that so fuckingmuch. This moment is so simple, but it might be one of my favorites. I just want to soak her up.
