Page 80 of Put a Rink on It

“Yeah, okay.” She rolls her eyes, which is exactly how I felt at her age.

I launch more into the story. She interrupts several times with burning—her word, not mine—questions, but it’s not rude. She’s genuinely curious, and I love that I can be this person for her.

When I was her age, if I found myself on my grandparents’ couch next to a professional player, I would have pissed my pants.

“If she’s too much, you don’t have to let her down easy,” Walsh inserts after we’ve been chatting for a solid half hour.

“I don’t mind. One might say I enjoy hearing myself talk about my favorite sport.” I seek Marina’s eyes, and like her niece earlier, they roll.

“Ooh. What was it like to hold the Cup? Did you get to skate with it? Was it heavy?”

“It was my dream come true. It’s way heavier than a hockey stick, but not too heavy to skate around with.”

Marina sits her ass on the edge of the couch on the other side of me. “Dinner’s almost ready. Lennon, why don’t you go wash your hands?”

Her expression is conflicted, so I add, “Mind if I sit next to you at dinner?”

“Oh my gosh, no, I don’t mind.” She slides off the couch and looks at her father. “Keeley, make sure Nero gets the chair next to mine, k?”

“Sure thing, Squirt. Soon as you address me as Dad.”

“Hunh. Like that’s gonna happen soon.” She dashes from the room, Walsh shaking his head.

“It’s my fault she’s like that. Hopefully, I’ll do better with the next one.”

Beside me, Marina gasps. “Is Tate…”

Tate appears in the doorway. “Is Tate what?”

“Nope,” Walsh says, defeated. “That can’t happen until after the wedding. If I’m lucky, maybe on the honeymoon.”

“That’s a big if,” Tate admits.

“How many more do you want, Tate?” Marina inquires.

“At least one, maybe two.” She looks at her fiancé like he hung the moon for her enjoyment only. My chest twinges, but I shove the feeling away. “Honestly, I can’t wait to see Walsh with a baby. If I didn’t have to be pregnant for ten months and be responsible for the kid for the next eighteen years, I’d let him knock me up tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait to see adult Walsh with a baby, especially since he’s so out of touch with the newborn stage. It’s gonna be great.” Marina rubs her hands together, a sinister smile encroaching on her lips.

“Hey. I take offense to that. I was okay.”

“Because you had Ma,” Marina insists.

Walsh wraps his arm around Tate, pulling her into his side. “And now I’ll have Tate.” He beams, love radiating from both of them, it’s nearly blinding.

I shift for a view of Marina’s profile. Is that how she’ll be with the love of her life? I don’t think I’ll be able to watch her be so in love with someone else.

Someone who’s not me.

“How soon are you guys gonna try after the wedding?”

“Try what?” I ask absentmindedly.

“For kids.”

A flash of worry encompasses me, but Marina doesn’t miss a beat. “Still undecided.”

“Did you at least pick your wedding date? My calendar is filling up.” It seems ironic coming from Walsh’s mouth, but considering he’s getting married later this year, it’s not so far-fetched.