Page 26 of Aftersome
“It means, if she has the same fire and determination like you, then yes. I know she’ll be able to handle it.”
Awkwardly, I stood at the base of the stairs watching them. Kate’s eyes softened as a small grin lifted on her face.
“That’s if she wants to play. Who knows, she might want to be a dancer.”
“I can teach her how to dance.”
Both Kate and I started to laugh.
“Sure you can, honey.” Kate patted her hand against his cheek.
A frown replaced the smile that was currently directed at his wife, until his stare found mine at the bottom of the steps.
“Hi.” I waved. “I guess congratulations are in order.”
Slowly, he removed his arm from Kate’s waist and grinned happily at me.
“Thanks, Wren.” He bowed his head slightly before motioning with his hand for me to come to him. “Now, come up here so I can give you a hug.”
Climbing up the steps, I walked into his opened arms.
“It’s good to see you again,” he rumbled above my head as I loosely wrapped my arms around his thick waist.
He smelled like a mixture of pine and Kate. I wasn’t much of a hugger, but it was nice embracing two friends who I hadn’t seen in a while.
“It’s good to see you too. Both of you.” I glanced over at Kate who was crying again.
“All right, ladies, that’s enough of them tears. Why don’t we get inside so we can show you around?” James dropped his arms from around me and placed each one of his hands gently onto mine and Kate’s back.
With a laugh and a nod, we were finally ushered inside the home.
8
WREN
Stepping inside their house, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this wasn’t it.
“Wow.”
My mouth fell to the floor as I did a complete one-eighty. I should have known that everything down to the wall furnishings would be immaculate. Kate had expensive taste and by the looks of this home, they went all out. Dark brown walls gave it a sophisticated, unique look while the high ceilings made it seem like they lived in a mansion.
“This is…” I couldn’t find a fitting word for how their home looked.
Amazing, beautiful, stunning, it was every word combined.
“Thanks,” James said from behind me. “I guess you can call me a jack-of-all-trades. A kick-ass hockey player, dancer, and an interior designer.”
Kate immediately scoffed and the sound of a light smack against his abdomen filled the air.
“Stop trying to rile me up, James. You know damn well you didn’t design shit in this house.” She grunted.
“Hey! What about the backsplash in the kitchen?”
Kate gave him a look before stepping around him and grabbing my hand.
“Come on, let me give you a quick tour of the house then we can get you settled into your room.” She dragged me along with her down a never-ending hallway until we stepped into the kitchen where my mouth dropped even farther.
Holy shit.
