Page 42 of Mother Pucker

I snap a picture of them laughing at whatever the other has said.

Sliding back into my seat, I tuck my hair behind my ear and look down at the picture I just took. My mouth curves up into a smile, knowing this is one I’ll have to frame for Kai to keep on his dresser.

I flip to the one I took before Rowan and Kai walked into the rink. This one might be my personal favorite–with Kai standingnext to Rowan, his head tilted as far up as it can go, looking at his hero with the biggest smile on his face.

It both pinches my heartstrings and sets an ache inside my chest. It’s as if through those two pictures–spontaneous moments captured inside a frame–I finally see what Kai’s been missing all this time.

And that scares the hell out of me while also filling me up with hope.

Because, for the first time in longer than I can remember, he’s acting like a kid–silly and happy. For the first time in a long time, he’s not worried about looking at me for permission, gauging my expression to see if I’m happy; he’s solely thinking of his own happiness. And for the first time in a long time, he isn’t being saddled with my fears.

And Rowan’s smile? It’s brighter than the lights reflecting off the ice. This man, who doesn’t know either of us well, who doesn’t owe us anything, but who’s put his all in from the get-go.

With Rowan, what you see is what you get. He’s an open book, honest and direct, where most people–including myself–wear a mask, pretending to be someone else. Rowan is authentic to a fault.

And damn if that’s not the most refreshing surprise in all this.

My phone buzzes in my hands from an incoming text.

Jeena

Did you bone him yet?

I chuckle to myself, shaking my head. Between my best friends and Jeena, I swear all the women in my life have banded together to get me laid.

Jeena was ecstatic when I told her about Rowan. Aside from Liv, Delia, and Dylan, she’s the only one I’ve acknowledged myattraction to my gorgeous patient and, as expected, she’s been messaging me nonstop for updates.

Me

It’s only been two days since he and I talked about it.

I’m not surprised to see her reply within seconds.

Jeena

So?

I sigh.

Me

So, we discussed some rules since neither of us is looking for anything serious. And he said he wants to take it slow.

I look up and spot Rowan and Kai heading out of the rink for a drink. Rowan hands Kai a sports drink, and though I’m tempted to check the ingredients, I consider it a personal victory in restraint that I don’t.

Kai looks up to meet my gaze, clearly asking for my permission, and even though there’s an anxious swirl in my stomach, I nod, getting a bright smile from him.

Jeena’s response helps distract me from my anxiety acrobatics about potential Carmine dyes in Kai’s drink.

Jeena

Interesting. Did he specifically say he’s not looking for anything serious?

My brows furrow while I string together a response.

Me

No, not specifically, but it was implied. Why?

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