Page 54 of SlapShot Sweetheart

“Well, it sounded beautiful,” she began hesitantly, changing direction with him and realizing that it didn’t matter what words were said aloud anymore. She didn’t need a translator, because she pretty well understood without actually knowing the exact words.

A language oflove.

They ate, talked, and laughed together. An evening meal that should have only taken an hour or two, ended up taking all night long. They each enjoyed a glass of wine with their meal, commenting on the sweetness of it, before having coffee with their dessert… and then dancing together again.

“Monsieur Batiste,” the manager began quietly, tapping Theo on the shoulder. “We are closing the kitchen in about an hour. I just wanted to make you aware.”

“We’re going to be heading out,” she murmured and then hesitated, looking at Theo. “Could you have the staff join us for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“Is something wrong?” Theo asked quietly, looking at her.

“No, in fact, this was the most beautiful evening ever, and I want to give back somehow – but I can’t carry all of these flowers or stuffed animals home. I thought maybe we could share them, saying ‘thank you’ for a night that I will never forget.”

“Absolutment,” Theo whispered approvingly before kissing her temple.

Nervously, Aimee laced her hand in Theo’s as the staff was brought out, looking at each other and then at them. Public speaking always made her nervous, which is why she liked her job at home from behind a computer screen. She looked at him and saw his approving gaze as he nodded, taking a slight step back and giving her the floor.

“You have made an unexpected treat from him into the best evening a girl could wish for,” she began and then moved slightly, releasing his hand as she picked up one of the vases, handing it to one of the kitchen staff. “Take these home to yourwife or girlfriend. We want you all to enjoy a little something from us as a ‘Thank you’ for all your hard work.”

“Aimee and I will have tickets to the next game in town sent ‘ere for everyone to enjoy at no charge,” Theo added, pointing at her proudly. “Don’t look at me – this is ‘er idea. I just play the game. She’s the one in control of everything else.”

She looked at him, realizing what he was doing and why, as she met his smile. He was always letting her have the final say, a bit of the limelight, and supporting her by having her back. He did it once in front of his friends and now was doing it again. When it came to her, he gave and gave, by word or by deed, and she couldn’t love him more.

CHAPTER 15

AIMEE

Aimee droveto her house while Theo sat in the passenger seat of her car, holding a massive bouquet of roses and a few of the little stuffed Beanie Babies to put on her bookshelf. He had gotten a ride with Boucher over to the restaurant, hoping to catch a ride home with her or an Uber. She was actually glad of that foresight because then their evening didn’t have to be over. They were both chatting aimlessly about nothing as she pulled up to her house.

“I’ll make some coffee and…what is that?”

“Roses.”

“Oh my gosh… seriously?” she sputtered in disbelief, feeling very uncomfortable in that moment. The guy she adored and had finally admitted to herself that she was in love with him – was sitting beside her, staring at the front porch and frowning because someone else left her roses, too.

She thought they had finally unraveled who her mystery man was… but maybe not. How could Theo have all those roses at the restaurant – and not know about a sudden bouquet appearing on her front porch…unless there was a second mystery man?!For a woman who didn’t date, how were they coming out of the woodwork now.

Horrified, she looked at Theo in a panic, only to see him frowning and angling his head around before yanking on the door handle.

“Theo, it’s not what you think…”

“What is going on?” he began and got out of the car quickly, his grim expression getting even darker the closer he got to the porch – and then he threw one of the Beanie Babies angrily at the door, creating a thud.

Yup, that obviously wasn’t him, and he was not happy about this in the slightest – and frankly, neither was she. Someone was obviously trying to start up something, and that was never going to happen. She couldn’t risk things with Theo, especially now that they were finally getting along and falling in love.

“Oh my gosh, Theo! Look, this is nothing,” she stammered, feeling so upset and devastated, almost near tears. He was getting madder and madder, muttering under his breath as he looked around. “I’ll tell that mystery guy to just go away and…”

“No, you won’t because I’ll kill ‘im!”

“DO WHAT?!” she yelped as he stomped onto the porch, looking around frantic and yelling in French, pulling her Welcome mat up and tossing it to the side. What was he looking for? Another gift? Another poem?Oh my gosh, what if this other person left a love letter?“Theo! Theo? Calm down and talk to me in English… please! You’re scaring me, and this is nothing – I swear it.”

Only to hear a horn honking as a black Lotus came flying down the street much too fast – and screeching to a stop in front of her house. Both stood up straight and glanced at each other, inciting a fear like she had never experienced before in her life as she saw something click in Theo’s eyes. He was off the porch in aheartbeat, the vase of roses tucked under one arm almost like a weapon, charging angrily toward the stranger in the car.

“Theo!Theo, stop!It’s nothing, he’s nothing to me, I don’t want some mystery guy… I want you!” she yelled, running in front of him and that seemed to pause his tirade for only a moment as he snarled something, looking past her at the car. They would never have a future together if he went to jail for murdering some innocent fool. “I’ll get rid of him!”

Aimee turned, putting her back to him, and immediately yanked off her shoe – slapping at the expensive sports car’s front window. She heard a honk, felt Theo grab her from behind attempting to get her out of the way. Immediately, she began pushing his hands away in a panicked struggle that she was losing, realizing Theo was much stronger than she imagined… just as the door glass rolled down revealing a very pissed-off man’s face.

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