“You just got done saying you were bored with partying and the only thing you want beyond hockey is a family. Assuming your feelings for Margot fall into place, this is absolutely everything you want. What’s the problem?”
“Why were you still single?” he challenged, not answering my question. “You’re five years older than me and don’t party all that much anymore. But until literally, like, a week ago, you were single too.”
“Because it does take time to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with,” I said carefully. “Divorce rates are high with professional athletes, and I wasn’t willing to marry the first pretty face and smokin’ hot body that was more interested in my bank account than me.”
“That’s for sure,” Tore agreed. “I forgot about that part of it.”
“And the woman I’ve had the hots for hadn’t shown any interest. Until, like you said, two weeks ago.”
“So, tell me the truth. You’re nuts about her, right?”
“Absolutely falling head over heels.”
“And the sex is good?”
I shook my head. “Not going there.”
“Just a yes or no answer.”
I hesitated but then smiled. “Fuck yes.”
He chuckled. “So she’s the whole package. Smart, beautiful, independent, not after your money, and the sex is good. It almost sounds too good to be true.”
He was right about that. Every time I thought about leaving hockey, or asking her to leave her job to follow me on a quest to figure out what I wanted to do, it made me a little nervous.
“For now, we’re going to spend the summer together, figuring out what’s next. In my experience, anything that seems too good to be true usually is, and I’m not taking any chances with Isla. I’ve waited a long time to make this happen. And you’ve been pining over Margot for a long time too. You need to go for it.”
“No sex in the house unless you’re married!” Tore gave me a teasing reminder.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“Yeah, I know.” He sighed. “I’m going to make my move at the wedding. That’s not the worst idea ever. Is it?”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
“So why does just thinking about it make me a little sick to my stomach?”
“Because it’s important. Because she’s important. And important things are generally never easy.”
“You can say that again.”
“Mr. O’Day?” A man with a clipboard came out. “We’re ready for you.”
I got up but glanced back down at Tore. “You got this, buddy. Promise.”
13
Isla
I took a shower and spent a little extra time on my hair and makeup since there was going to be a full house today. Dax and I were late to breakfast and Granddad was at the head of the table, laughing with Liam, Lachlan and a few of Ian’s teammates, while Mum sat down at the other end, talking with Finn, Mac, and Dax’s parents.
Dax pulled out a chair for me as we joined them.
“Thank you.” I smiled up at him.
We shared a private look as I sank down and he pulled up a chair next to mine.
“Sleep well, dear?” Mum asked, her eyes twinkling.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and merely nodded, smiling as Merrie poured me a cup of tea. “Quite well, thanks.”
“Ian’s gone to take Everly, her mum and Margot to a spa for the day,” Mum said, “and he’ll bring sweet Gracie back here to spend the day with us.”
“I’m looking forward to spending time with her,” I said, taking a bite of the waffle Merrie just put down in front of me.
“I think we’re gonna play a quick round of golf,” Dax said to me. “That’s what Ian wants to do on his last full day as a single man.”
I smiled. “Sounds about right. I guess I’ll be here at the house with Mum and Gracie.”
“Why don’t you go with the lads?” Mum asked me. “You used to golf with Ian all the time.”
“I think it’s a guy thing today. It’s all right, I have some paperwork to do anyway.”
“I don’t have to go if you want me to stay?” Dax said under his breath, squeezing my arm and his eyes linking with mine meaningfully.
He was such a love. I was falling hard and fast in love with him, but the way he’d looked at me just now made my insides turn to mush and my heart nearly burst. It was stupidly romantic, but I didn’t care. He was amazing and I loved feeling this way.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Go have a good time.” I met his gaze playfully, hoping to mask my sweet thoughts, and he winked.
Ian came back ten minutes later and the guys finished eating quickly so they could leave. I took my time, pouring a second cup of tea and nibbling a biscuit.
“Well, aren’t you two the cutest couple ever?” Mum murmured, dipping her head to hide her laughter.
“It was your idea to seduce him and jump in with both feet,” I told her with an impish grin. “So anything that happens from here on out is your fault.”
“Bloody hell.” She fanned herself. “When was the last time I jumped into something sexy with both feet?” She sighed a little, and while I wanted to be embarrassed, I couldn’t, because my father had been dead for five years and she had to be incredibly lonely. And probably horny too, though I wouldn’t say that out loud.
“I’m sorry, Mum. You could date, you know?” I met her eyes curiously. “Dad wouldn’t want you to be sad. And I don’t think he’d want you to be lonely.”
“It’s not that,” she said softly. “It’s me. You probably don’t remember him from when you were little, but in my eyes, he didn’t get middle-aged or overweight—he was still that handsome lad as when I met him. Both inside and out. Looking for someone new, someone who might
