Page 71 of Icing the Play

“We did.” I was pretty sure Zoma had already told him about our conversation yesterday. “Hey, I was thinking of doing something nice for Cooper this afternoon when he gets home.”

“You are?” He threw me a wide smirk. “Is there a love confession connected to this nice thing?”

Planting my hands on my hips, I said, “It could.” Might as well be honest about it. “Can you give me an easy recipe so I can make dinner for him?”

He flipped an egg in a frying pan. “Of course.” His gaze flicked to mine. “How about pot roast? Does he like that? I’ll cook it in the slow cooker and then you just have to serve it.”

I mulled it over. If I let Ace do the cooking, it wouldn’t be as special. “I appreciate the offer, but I want to do the cooking myself.” I twisted my lips. “How hard is it to prepare?”

“Not hard at all.” He plucked a few strips of bacon out of another frying pan and laid them on a paper towel lining a plate. “I’ll give you a shopping list and you can just cut some potatoes and throw the ingredients into the cooker.”

“Sounds perfect.” I side hugged him. “Thanks, Ace.” I had the best friends.

“Of course. Now grab yourself a drink and have a seat at the table. Breakfast is served.”

That afternoon,I opened the lid on the pot roast, the aroma of beef with fresh rosemary and thyme filling my nose. It smelled heavenly and was almost done. When would Cooper be home? Turning from the counter, my gaze ran over the dinette, already set with plates, silverware and an opened bottle of red wine. A bouquet of red roses centered the table, along with two candles. Yeah, I was going all out. Zoma had insisted I get the flowers and candles.

Zoma and Ace strolled out of the hallway and stopped in the kitchen.

Ace picked up the keys to his truck from the counter. “Smells great, Myles. I hope there are some leftovers.” He wound an arm around Zoma.

With a warm grin, Zoma said, “I’m sure there won’t be. Come on, a football player and a hockey player leaving leftover pot roast?” He tsked and headed for the door leading to the garage. “Let us know when it’s safe to come home.”

“I will. Where are you going?” I hated to kick them out of their own home, but itwasZoma’s idea. I checked the pot roast again. Could I overcook it in this thing? Ace had said no…

“A matinee, and then dinner. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time.” With a flourish, Zoma walked out the door with Ace behind him.

“Enjoy yourself, Myles.” Ace gave me a knowing look and left.

Pacing to the front window, I watched them leave in Ace’s enormous truck. The suspense was killing me. When would Cooper be home? Had he gotten delayed at the airport? I slipped my phone out of the pocket of my jeans and checked the flight. It was a little late, but they’d landed. Maybe their coach had called a meeting at the facility?

I hovered my fingers over my phone. Should I text him and ask?

Movement caught my eye, and my attention cut to Cooper’s Tacoma truck, pulling to the curb in front of the house.Holy fuck, here we go.I swallowed through the dryness in my throat as my pulse raced.

I jogged to the table, lit the candles with a long lighter, and then tucked the lighter into a drawer. Shit, what should I do? Should I stand in the kitchen or meet him at the door? Stepping one way and then another, I cleared my throat. I was a fucking mess.

Striding to the door, I glanced out the window as Cooper strolled over the driveway with his duffel hung on his shoulder.

With a deep breath, I flung the door open. “Hey, Coop.” What a stupid way to great the man I loved. Fuck. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans.

“Look at you, all dressed up.” He stepped to me, cupped my cheek, and pressed a long kiss on my lips. “Missed you.” The corners of his mouth tugged up.

“Missed you too.” I stepped aside and let him through the doorway. Romance wasn’t my thing.

He halted in the entryway, a wide smile sweeping his face. “What’s going on?” He threw a glance my way and scanned the room. “Is this for me?” He dropped his duffel and headed toward the table. “Myles, did you do this for me?” He sniffed at the air. “Oh my God, it smells great, and I’m starved.”

Hands clasped in front of my chest, I approached him and said, “Yes, this is, is for you.” I took a deep, calming breath. “I planned something special for you and?—”

“Babe, this is amazing.” He wrapped his arms around my neck and claimed me in a toe-curling kiss. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

“I…what?” I blinked at him. He said it first. God damn it. Huffing a sharp laugh, I said, “Yes, I think I do. Probably about as much as I love you.” I leaned in for another round of searing kisses, my heart leaping from my chest. I hadn’t planned on leading with this.

“Yeah, sorry.” Dipping his head, he raked his fingers through his hair. “I confessed to some of my buddies and it was bursting out of me.”

“You told your friends?” Had he told JJ? They’d been rooming together. I stared at him and stepped back.

“Yeah, it slipped out at the hockey game on Friday night, and then I told JJ yesterday.” He gave me a sheepish look. “Anyway, how about we serve the delicious food you made me?”

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