Page 28 of Slap Shot

“Piper cries in the kitchen all the time,” Liam adds, and that makes me laugh.

“Way to throw me under the bus,” Piper says.

“It’s true,” he says, but he follows it up by kissing her forehead.“It’s cute, though.”

“Nice save, Sullivan.” She tugs on his shirt and sits next to Lucy. “Guess what?We have ice cream in the freezer for after dinner.”

I love ice cream!She puts a huge bite of pasta in her mouth, clearly in a hurry to get to dessert.It’s my favorite.

We all laugh, and warmth settles in my chest. I’ve been back in DC for all of two hours, and I can already tell this is going to work.

We’re going to be happy here, and my decision was the right one not just for me, but for the love of my life too.

NINE

MADELINE

Me

Hello, hockey guy.

Hudson

If it isn’t knife girl. How was your first real weekend in DC?

Me

The weather was shitty. Don’t tell me it’s like this all the time.

Hudson

It’s not. You caught us on a bad day. The rest of the week looks nice, so that’s promising.

Me

I should’ve brought some of the Vegas heat with me. Are we still good to meet on Thursday? I figured I’d create a plan with you for the next week or so, then I’d head to the grocery store and stock up on ingredients I’m going to need.

Friday could be my first day, and then you won’t have to eat anything out of a can or box ever again.

Hudson

What about my ravioli?

Me

You’ll survive.

Hudson

Thursday sounds great.

How is Lucy adjusting with the move? Is she doing okay?

Me

She’s taken Liam’s cat hostage as her own, so I’d say it’s going well. I told her she’ll get to meet two dogs soon, and she was beside herself.

Hudson

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