Page 69 of O Goalie Night
I shake my head, still unable to speak.
“Beth?” His brow furrows with concern. “Is this okay? I just thought it might make you feel more at home, but we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I can return all of this stuff; it’s not a problem.”
My legs start to move towards him. At least one part of my body is still accepting instructions from my broken brain. I close the distance between us taking the last couple steps as a run and leap into him. He catches me easily and I wrap my arms around his neck as I bury my face in his neck.
I never expected this, not from anyone. My eyes can’t hold back their tears and my voice wavers. "Thank you." My words are almost a whisper.
“Beth, Baby,” he says into my hair as he strokes my back. “Please don’t cry.”
The more he rubs my back, the harder I sob. It's overwhelming, the thoughtfulness, the effort he put into something so personal, so perfect. Every detail, every moment he spent on this, it all speaks volumes.
“Sorry,” I sniff, wiping at my eyes. “This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. I’m not used to romantic gestures.”
His face softens as he gently sweeps my hair back from my forehead. “Get used to them.”
His lips touch mine, and the world falls away. My heart races, pounding in my chest as if trying to match the rhythm of our kiss. I can't think, can't breathe; all I know is the warmth of his embrace and the softness of his mouth. Gentle at first, tentative, as if he's testing the waters, but then deepens, sending a shiver down my spine.
All week, I’ve felt like I'm falling for him, completely and utterly, and this kiss is further confirmation for me. My hands find their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer, not wanting this moment to end.
When he pulls back, we’re both breathing heavily. He rests his forehead on mine.
“I have a confession to make.” His breath dances on my lips.
“Another one?” I tease.
“Afraid so. I’ve never decorated a tree before.”
My eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
“Very. It was sort of my mom’s thing. She worked a lot of late nights when we were kids and would decorate when Cody and I were asleep. I’d go to bed with the house looking normal and wake up to find everything covered in tinsel. I think she liked surprising us.”
Just like he surprised me. I’m still so overcome with emotion that he went to all this trouble for me and I want this to be fun for him, too.
“Well, I’m glad you told me. Since it’s your first time, I’ll be gentle.”
He chuckles as he releases me. “Christ, you’re as bad as my teammates.”
“First things first.” I move to the centre of the room and assess my surroundings. “We need music.”
Foster fishes his phone from his pocket and swipes a few times before handing it to me. A music app is open on the screen and I spend a couple minutes searching for the perfect playlist while he disappears into the kitchen.
I make my selection, and moments later the room is filled with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ sweet harmonies. Foster returns holding a glass of red wine. One dark eyebrow raises at my song selection.
“I will accept no criticism of Dolly,” I warn. There are few things I will defend to the death and the Queen of Country is one of them.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Sipping my wine, I start to look through what I have to work with. He bought enough to decorate an entire forest.
I glance over at Foster, who’s standing with a strand of twinkling lights in his hands, looking a bit lost but eager.
“Here, let me show you,” I say, taking one end of the lights and guiding him to the base of the tree. “We start at the bottom and work our way up.”
He follows my lead, wrapping the lights around the branches, and I can't help but smile at his concentration.
“You’re doing great,” I encourage, my heart warming at the sight of him trying so hard.
Periodically, I back up and squint at the tree, trying to find branches that need more lights.
