Page 43 of You Had Me at Hockey

“Um…this is as far as I got with the planning.” Josh leans closer. “My plans were messed up yet again.”

He lowers his hand from my mouth. I’m buzzing, heavy heat building low inside me. “I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head and brushes a kiss over the corner of my mouth. “Don’t be. I hate having my plans messed up, but maybe things can turn out even better.”

“Like listening to bad poetry?” My voice comes out low and raspy.

“Yeah.” He touches his nose to mine. “I haven’t laughed so much in a long time.”

“Laughing is always good.” I lay my palm on his cheek. “Ithink so anyway.”

“I think I forgot that. And I agree.”

“Good.” Once again, I’m glad I’ve made him laugh. “We could go back to my place.”

“Okay.”

I take his arm as we step outside, both of us adjusting scarves and gloves for the chilly temperature. It feels so easy and natural and I love being so close to his amazing body. We set off along Lexington, past little shops and restaurants, some still open. “This is my hood,” I murmur. “I still feel like it’s new to me.”

I smile. “It’s a pretty good hood.”

“Yes. I can’t wait to move into my place. My stuff is being delivered next week, but I’m going to be away.”

“Oh, damn. Another road trip?”

“Yeah. Chicago and Raleigh. Then we get home late Friday and we’ve got another game Saturday.” He shakes his head.

“Oh! Speaking of your Saturday game! My friend Kaylee is coming to the city and we’re going to go to the game.”

“Do you have tickets?”

“Ack. Not yet.”

“I’ll get you tickets.”

“Really?”

“Sure. We all get tickets to give to friends and family. I haven’t used any yet.”

“Okay. That would be awesome. So I guess you can’t move in that day.”

“Probably not. But I’ve got the Sunday and Monday after off.”

“Do you need any help?”

“Um…maybe?”

I laugh. “I’d be happy to help. Let me know.”

We’re passing by the Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer, which I love. I pause to look up at the old stone façade glowing in spotlights. “This church is beautiful.”

Josh studies it. “Yeah. It really is.”

For a moment, I’m distracted from the church by his face…his strong jaw and nose, the way he’s admiring the church and not dismissing my wonder and awe over it.

“It’s gorgeous inside too. I was curious one day, so I stopped in.”

He shakes his head. “I bet you do a lot of that.”

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