Page 44 of Hot Rucking Canadian

And something I never saw myself doing. Nope, that would be Mallow’s job. And I’d rope Cassandra into helping me keep the little ones occupied.

See? I had everything worked out.

Except…my heart.

“I’m going to bed.” Nana squeezed my arm.

“Do you need an escort home?” Somehow, the three houses on either side of Nana’s were owned by various members of her family. Tonight’s party was at Peter’s and he lived one door down from his mother.

I wasn’t certain how I’d feel about Maria living in the condo next to ours. But I’d welcome her—especially if Mallow was happy. Anything to make Mallow happy.

“Paul will escort me.” She snapped her fingers, and a nephew approached.

“Hi, Nana.”

“I’m ready.”

“Of course.” He offered his arm. He was…

I scratched my chin. Nope, I couldn’t remember whose child he was. I needed Mallow to make a whiteboard with all the family. Well, maybe not all two hundred and two.

Nana eyed me for a long moment. “You’ll do.” Then she and Paul were gone.

Everyone waved and a few family members hugged her, but soon enough she’d disappeared.

Mallow dropped into her vacant chair.

“Isn’t that sacrilege?”

“Shh.” He grinned. “I won’t say anything if you won’t.”

“Isn’t that my line?”

“Nana loves me.”

“That she does.”

“She wants me to move home.”

“Youarehalf Kiwi.” The thought of losing him, so soon after I’d found him, nearly broke me.

He shifted uncomfortably. “I got a call today.”

I blinked. “When?”

“You were passed out on the bed. I happened to be awake, so I snuck out of the room to check it.”

This is bad. He didn’t want to tell me and…it’s bad.“And? Don’t keep me in suspense.” I tried to laugh at that.

It sounded forced.

Apparently to both of us because he winced.

“The coach of the All Blacks wants to meet me.”

“The…” I scrunched my nose. “That’s the New Zealand rugby team.”

“Yeah.”

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