Page 53 of Stick Fight

Laughing, she tells me, “I ordered a dozen already.”

My grin spreads as I drape my arm casually along the back of her chair. I catch Tuck still laser focused on Maria, like she’s the only woman in the universe, and Tanner’s distracted by his buzzing phone. I take my chance and lean a little closer to Gabby, dropping a wink. “That’s my girl. But no more for me after that.”

She gives me a small smile, but there’s something quieter in her eyes. “You had something you wanted to run by me.”

Before I can answer, Tanner’s phone call ends, and he slides it back into his pocket. “Did you run it by her yet?” he asks, glancing at me.

Gabby straightens in her seat. Her eyes flick between us, trying to piece together a puzzle. Avery arrives with a steaming pot of coffee. We all flip our cups without needing to be asked.

“Chowder?” she asks, already halfway to writing it down.

I nod and she turns to Gabby. “What about you? Decided?”

“If Roman vouches for the chowder, I’ll have the chowder.”

“Same,” Tanner and Tuck chime in at the same time.

I take a sip of coffee and glance at Gabby again. She’s watching me, waiting, sensing something’s coming.

“You want to ask, or should I?” I ask Tanner.

“I got it.” He turns to Gabby, his tone instantly softer. “Okay, so, no pressure, seriously, but when Roman mentioned you were staying in Boston and looking for work, I had an idea.”

Gabby raises an eyebrow. “Okay…”

“Our nanny just got married and moved out of state,” he continues. “We’ve been scrambling ever since. Stella’s just over a year and a half, and we’re looking for someone to help out. At least for the next little while, until we figure out a long-term plan. I figured...maybe you’d be open to childcare?”

Gabby blinks, surprised. “Oh. Wow. A nanny?”

She leans back a little, absorbing the word like it’s in a foreign language. “I mean, I’ve babysat before, but I’ve never been a nanny.”

“Yeah,” Tanner adds quickly. “It’s okay if it’s not for you. I just thought someone from our circle we could trust while we interview candidates. Stella is easy going, and really sweet. Except when she fights her naps,” he adds with a laugh and a cringe. “But the pay is good and you have lots of downtime to do hobbies and things like that.”

I turn to her and shrug. “Something to think about. While other things in your life are sorting themselves out.”

A smile tugs at the corners of her lips, like she’s warming to the idea. “It could be fun.” She laughs, a small, musical sound, and I feel a little thrill at how natural she fits in here, like she’s always been part of the crew. “I’ll definitely think about it.”

“Why don’t you guys come by tonight?” Tanner suggests. “I know Maeve and Stella would love to meet you, Gabby.”

Gabby turns to me, her eyes lighting up just a little. “I don’t think I have anything going on tonight.” She pauses, waiting for confirmation. “Just some shopping this afternoon.”

I nod, catching the hopeful note in her voice. She might’ve been caught off guard by all this, but the curiosity, and maybe a little excitement, is definitely there.

“Yeah,” I say, smiling. “Let’s swing by after dinner.”

“Perfect,” Tanner replies, already pulling out his phone to text Maeve.

Gabby glances down at her coffee cup, then back up at him. “Stella is such a beautiful name.”

Tanner’s grin turns proud. “Thanks. She’s named after my mom. Matchmaker of the century.”

As he types out the message, Maria and Avery return with our food, the steam from the chowder curling in the air. I introduce Gabby to Maria, who gives her a warm smile, and I’m sure they’ll be instant friends.

“This smells amazing,” Gabby says, inhaling the aroma with genuine appreciation.

I grab my spoon and dive in. “Tastes even better than it smells.”

Conversation flows easily after that. We talk hockey, of course—because that’s what happens when you put three players at a table—but I steer things away from Gabby’s past. The Vegas chapter isn’t something I want her to feel cornered into revisiting.

---