“I know, but…” She sighed. “I’ve felt guilty, talking about my relationship with Kit or the wedding.”
“Don’t.” I turned to look at her, taking both hands in mine. Regardless of my relationship status, I was thrilled for her. And I wanted to hear about everything—the good, the bad, the difficult. “I’m so happy for you. And I would never want you to dim your joy for me.”
Allie nodded, sniffling. We’d always been close, and she’d really been there for me after Derek’s death—she and her fiancé, Kit. They didn’t live locally, but she’d stayed with me for weeks after he’d died. And I’d always felt their support, even from afar.
We were quiet for a moment, and I felt at ease. I might not be telling the truth about dating Frasier, but oddly enough, that lie had helped me repair the relationship with my sister.
“So…” Allie said, leaning in. “Is the sex as good as I’m imagining? Because hockey players are physically aggressive, and that’s hot. And Frasier’s so intense, especially when it comes to you.”
He was?
And why would she think that? She hadn’t even seen Frasier and me interact now that we were a “couple.”
“Allie!” I chided, though it came out as more of a hiss since I was trying to be quiet.
“What?” She lifted a shoulder, completely blasé.
“You’re getting married to Kit in a few days.”
“And I had a huge crush on Frasier when you were in college.”
“Oh god.” I laughed, covering my face with my hands. “How did I forget about that? You were so obvious.”
She gave my shoulder a gentle shove. “I was not.”
“You totally were. You had a custom Dartmouth jersey with his name and number on the back of it.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “And if you mention that in your speech at the rehearsal dinner, I will kill you.”
I smirked, enjoying the fact that I could hold this over her.
“Do you still have that jersey?” I asked.
“Why?” She nudged me. “You want to see how unhinged he’ll be if he sees you wearing his jersey and nothing else?”
I rolled my eyes. “God. Sometimes I’m still surprised you didn’t turn into a puck bunny.”
She laughed. “Tempting, but trust me—” she leaned in “—Kit is the perfect guy for me.”
“He definitely is,” I said.
“Come on, Bryn,” Allie pleaded, pressing her palms together as if in prayer. “Tell me if I’m right about Frasier. Tell me if my teenage crush lives up to reality.” She batted her eyes.
“You are ridiculous,” I said, but I was laughing the entire time. “But honestly,” I said, knowing I needed to put an end to this line of inquiry, “I wouldn’t know. We’re sort of taking things slow.”
She gaped at me. “You said it was new, not that you were taking it slow.”
“It’s both.” I tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Whose idea was that? Yours?” She shook her head, dropping it to her chest in disappointment.
“His, actually,” I said, thinking of the way he’d held himself back last night.
Frasier had looked at me with so much desire that it had nearly consumed me. And yet…he hadn’t acted on it. Did I want him to act on it?
Part of me said, hell yes!
My body was ready, and I had a feeling Allie was right—a man like Frasier would be incredible in bed. The perfect mix of aggressive and attentive.
