Page 112 of Home of the Brave

“I packed another outfit,” he admitted. “I was sort of hoping you’d go along with my plan, and I didn’t want to go back to my hotel just––”

“Now works, as long as you don’t mind letting me put on some shorts too.”

His smile grew. “Not at all.”

“You can even carry our bags,” Cambrie beamed as she passed off her camera case and slipped my tote off my shoulder and held it out to him.

“I’d be honored.” He winked at me as we crossed the street.

Fortunately, we were staying at a hotel close to the arena and women’s teams rather than by the practice facility, so our walk was short.

“I’ll be right back down,” I told him as soon as we got to the lobby.

“Take your time.” He passed off our bags and took a seat on one of the couches.

When we got into the elevator, Cambrie stared at me in the mirror. “He’s a good one.”

“I know.” It would be so much easier if he weren’t.

“Don’t think too hard about it, okay? Just enjoy today,” she advised as we stepped off and split to go to our rooms.

“I’ll try,” I promised and tapped my key card to the door.

Without knowing what Josh had planned, I based my outfit off him. I pulled on shorts, a cream tank top, and navy Converse. With one glance in the mirror to make sure I looked okay, I grabbed a hair tie from the bathroom counter and hurried out.

My heart was pounding. I took a deep breath in the elevator, reminding myself to calm down, but I wasn’t nervous. I was excited.

Then again, I didn’t know how to play it cool, and I didn’t want to.

I smiled as he spotted me and stood, and I walked right into his waiting arms for a hug that felt a bit too close to coming home.

“Great game,” I whispered as if he needed to hear that again.

“It really was,” he agreed before pulling back enough to meet my eyes. “You probably didn’t notice, but I dedicated one of the saves to you.”

“Oh, yeah?”

He grinned. “Yup, even yelled, ‘This one’s for Victoria’ as I deflected it.”

I put my hand over my heart. “I’m honored.”

“You should be.” His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I didn’t care if anyone was watching.

I lifted onto my toes and pressed a quick kiss against his lips before pulling back. “Where to?”

“Somewhere indoors,” he held up his phone. “I was thinking of a museum?”

“I love museums,” I admitted.

“Me too,” he grinned, then tapped on the screen. "Spies, natural history, art, culture, space? There are also the botanical gardens.”

“I have done most of them already, but not the gardens or space museum.”

“Well, I’ve only done the art one.” He chuckled, “So do you want to do to the air and space?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Perfect, it’s only a few blocks away,” he pointed in the right direction as we stepped outside.