Page 20 of One Good Puck
When I round the corner of the street, my house comes into view. In the driveway, I spot Abby’s red Honda parked off to the side.
I smile to myself. It’s been two weeks since she and Emma moved in, and things have been smooth. Mostmornings, they’re out of the house before I come downstairs for breakfast. By the time I come home from work most evenings, they’re getting ready for bed.
But last night, when I came home from work, Abby and Emma were in the kitchen, covered in flour while they baked chocolate chip cookies. They were laughing and joking around, clearly having a blast. It was such a happy moment to come home to. Not to mention the delicious cookies.
I slow my pace for a block to recover and pat my stomach. I meant to stop at just one cookie last night, but they were so good I ended up eating three, which made Emma giddy. Yeah, it means that I’ve had to go harder on this morning’s run, but I don’t care. It was worth it to see her happy.
She reminds me of Sophie when she was that age. Always smiling and laughing. She seems like such a happy and well-adjusted kid, which shows what an incredible mother Abby is.
When I’m a block from my house, I slow to a walk and catch my breath.
I think about how long it’s been since I’ve shared a living space with anyone. Sophie moved into the guest house when she started attending medical school, and then she moved in with Xander last season. Since then, it’s just been me at this house, and honestly, it’s been pretty lonely. It’s nice to have someone to share this massive space with.
Especially when that someone is a beautiful woman I’ve been crushing on pretty much since the moment I met her.
I banish the thought the second it forms in my mind. When Abby agreed to move in with me, I told myself I needed to stop thinking about how attractive she is. She’smy friend and my housemate now, and I shouldn’t be thinking about her that way anymore.
But it’s pretty damn impossible. She’s beautiful, and every time I see her, it’s a struggle not to stare.
When I walk through the front door, I quietly toe off my running shoes, then make my way to the kitchen. I strip off my sweat-soaked shirt and tuck the hem into the back pocket of my running shorts. I open the fridge and smile when I see the top shelf stocked with juice boxes and PB and J lunchables—Emma’s favorite snacks. Sophie loved those too when she was a little kid.
I grab a pre-made chocolate protein shake, crack it open, and take a long swig as I close the refrigerator door. I step forward and immediately bump into someone.
“Oh! Sorry!” Abby says, stumbling back.
I cough as I swallow my gulp of protein shake. I’m so startled that I jerk my arm back…and splash half my protein shake all over Abby.
“Crap…” I mutter as I gaze down at her. The white tank top she’s wearing is soaked…and practically see-through now that it’s wet.
My eyes go wide as I take in the sight of her. How I can tell that she’s not wearing a bra…How I can tell that her nipples are hard…
Fuck, she looks good when she’s wet…
What the hell is wrong with you, you pervert?
I shake my head and refocus, feeling guilty for having such a gross thought.
“I’m so sorry, Abby. God, I’m a klutz.”
I turn and grab a clean kitchen towel from the counter and hand it to her.
Her cheeks are bright red as she offers a shy smile to me and a quiet, “Thanks.”
I start apologizing again, but she shakes her head as she pats the towel on her chest.
“It’s my fault,” she says. “I wasn’t paying attention when I walked into the kitchen. I shouldn’t have sneaked up on you behind the fridge door. I’m pretty out of it.” She chuckles.
“What are you doing up so early?”
“It’s Emma’s teacher’s birthday today, so I was going to bake some muffins to drop off with her.”
“Oh. That’s really nice of you.”
She’s frowning down at the front of her tank top as she cleans herself. Crap. I wonder if I’ve ruined it.
“Let me pay to get that drycleaned for you,” I say. “Or hey, I can buy you a new one.”
She looks up and flashes a sweet smile. “It’s okay. It’ll come out in the wash. Besides, this is payback for me getting your suit dirty.”
