Page 8 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

He turns to walk down the hall to the kitchen and I follow, trying to not stare at the firm, denim-clad ass the hockey gods blessed him with. On the counter are two plates with a toastie on each and two steaming mugs of tea. Trevor is in a recliner with a bag of chips, flipping through channels on the massive TV. I sit on one stool and Declan takes the one beside me.

“Thank you,” I say, giving him a smile.

Declan returns my smile with a soft one of his own. “You’re welcome. Eat, while it’s still hot.” Declan picks up his sandwich and I follow suit. The mixture of shredded cheeses oozing out of the sliced middle reminds me of the happy times from my childhood. He made a real cheese toastie with fresh shredded cheese, not some fake cheese from a plastic wrapper.

I take my first bite and close my eyes as I groan in delight. This sandwich is an experience. It’s flavorful, it’s comforting, and someone who wanted to take care of me made it for me it. I will remember this sandwich and this moment forever.

“Oh my gosh, this is delicious. Declan, I could kiss you.” The words slip from my mouth without thinking.

“I’d be okay with that,” is his quiet reply.

Oh, if he truly meant it.

5

DECLAN

I’m an idiot. Why did I say that? Then Miranda leans over to press a kiss to my cheek and I know why I said it. Best idea ever.

“Hey. None of that,” Carter calls from his recliner. “If you’re going to be kissing a roommate, Randi, I’m it.”

Miranda rolls her eyes. “Yes, Trevor.”

Before I can ask if there is a relationship between them, Miranda hops down from her stool and takes her plate to the sink.

Grabbing her mug of tea, she rests her hand on my forearm and gives me a squeeze that ripples throughout my body.

“Thank you, Declan. Best thing I’ve eaten in years. Thank you for everything. I’m thrilled you’re here.”

Turning away, she says, “I hate to be the boring roommate, but I’m going to bed before I collapse. What time are you going to the rink tomorrow?”

“Ten in the morning,” I say.

“Cool, I should be human by then.”

She walks over to Carter’s recliner, leans over the back, and places a kiss on Carter’s cheek while pushing back the lock of dark reddish brown hair that always falls over one of his eyes like a floppy dog ear.

“Thank you for everything, Trev. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Aw, Randa Panda, you don’t need to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”

She straightens, says good night, and goes to her room. I pick up my mug and take a seat on the sofa, my stockinged feet plopped on the ottoman.

“What do you want to watch?” Carter asks.

“I don’t care. Whatever you want.”

He turns on one of the home makeover shows he’s obsessed with. This one is From Dud to Den. It’s a shifter-focused show. In this episode, a bear shifter’s family is getting an upgrade to their cookie-cutter, builder standard home. The makeover leaves them with beautiful wood touches everywhere. Almost everywhere. The rock walls some of the bedrooms feature call to mind cozy caves for hibernating.

“Would you ever do a reality show, Mac?” he asks.

I whip my head around to look at him. By the way he’s casually munching on his chips, I assume it was a random question.

Taking a sip of my tea is a good delaying tactic. It’s a lovely herbal, full of flavor. It’s decaffeinated, and hopefully it’s helping Miranda get the sleep she desperately needs.

“Depends on the show. Something like that”—I gesture to the TV—“would be okay. I wouldn’t do a dating show.”

“I was going to try out for one. With Miranda. We were going to try out for a dance show.”

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