Page 36 of That Thing You Brew
“Surely they will next season,” I assured him and took the bag. “You’re their biggest star this year. Theirall-star. I wish I could go tonight, but I promised Tasha some sister time when she asked if I had plans with you. We usually spend New Year’s Eve together.”
“That’s true.” He rubbed at his beard and smiled. “I still can’t believe it. And Dex got the fan vote of all the goalies in our division.”
“That’s awesome! So you’ll have a friend there with you.”
“Would you want to come to Seattle? You can stay with my family. Get to know my sisters. They’re going to love you.”
I beamed. “And I’m going to love them.”Just like I’m going to love you,I thought. “Yes, I most definitely would like to. I … better go,” I said quickly before I voiced what I was thinking. “Good luck tonight. Want me to meet you at the Bevvie Bar—er, Coffee Loft? At the usual time?”
He turned to look across the parking lot at the back side of the coffee shop and shook his head. “Nah. Better lay low today. I’m expecting a big crowd there again. If I don’t score, it’s okay. I’ll still have the highest points of all the defensemen in the league. Spend time with your sister. Keep that tradition. For now,” he added with a slow smile.
“Okay.” A shiver went through me imagining what he might have planned for next New Year’s Eve, if the Edge weren’t away playing.
He got out of the car and came around to open my door for me. One last kiss before I floated inside, ready to face my sister.
No way could anything bring me down right now. Not even a stormy Tasha.
I took the stairs up to the second floor and let myself in. “I’m home!” I shouted, setting my purse on the counter and hanging up my coat on the hook by the door.
Tasha was ready for me, firing off questions quick and fast. “How are you going to pull this off? What if someone in his family leaks the inheritance clause? They paint you as a gold digger and you’ll be canceled all over social media. Everything you’ve worked for… Are you sure you want to do this, Penny? Can’t he find someone else?”
“No, he can’t,” I insisted. “And yes, I’m sure. His family isn’t going to leak anything. The lawyer has to keep it a secret or he’ll lose his job and be disbarred.”
“Is he old? If the lawyer is ready for retirement, he might be willing to sell his story. I can see the headline now: ‘Edge all-star marries barista to save family castle.’” She shuddered and tossed a pointed look at me. “How can you trust him or Xavier, for that matter? You barely know him.”
“I don’t know.” I sank into the sofa. “I just have to. And I feel it in my soul, this deep connection I can’t explain. It’s been building for years. It’ll all be fine, really. It’s not like there are any orchestras or grad schools banging down our door wanting me.” My heart beat a little faster. “And Xavier said I can play for guests at the chateau this summer.” I sighed happily as I settled into the cushions, closing my eyes. “I’m already imagining it.”
She plopped on the cushion next to me and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I hope he keeps his promises and the terms of the NDA. It all sounds too good to be true, Pen. If that man lets you down, I swear I will hurt him. Harder than an illegal cross-check into the boards without a helmet. I don’t care how good the prenup is.”
I laughed. “Thanks. That is super specific. I love you. And thanks for always having my back.”
“Always,” she replied, tight and firm. “Unless you don’t invite me to the castle.”
“It’s achateau.”I raised my eyebrows, and we both gave way to giggles. I was going to miss this. Living with my sister. Our time alone, just to ourselves, in our quiet apartment. Her inventive and always mouthwatering Crock-Pot meals. I’d keep my bedroom here, for when Xavier had away games, just in case I didn’t want to be alone, and Tasha promised to teach me all her one-pot secrets.
But I had no intention of giving up on our marriage. Unless he turned out to be someone totally different than what he presented, I could see our entire future ahead of us.
And I wanted all of it.
* * *
At nine fifty-five,my phone rang.
Xavier.
“Answer it,” Tasha said. “I’m going to run down to the lobby’s snack machine. I decided I wanted to ring in the new year with a Hershey bar.”
I laughed. Tasha was supposed to be giving up all things milk chocolate as her New Year’s resolution. “If you get it down by eleven fifty-nine eastern, I won’t count it. Four minutes until they drop the ball in New York City.”
She shook her head, but she was smiling. “I’m thinking I’ll get two and stay up until midnight mountain time this year.”
“Oooh, you rebel, you,” I teased.
She snorted. “Be right back!”
I swiped to receive the call. “Hi,” I greeted him. “Sorry you didn’t score tonight. Good game, though. A tough win against Phoenix. We watched it. Glad to see Zaki Marsch is back.”
“Thanks. Have I mentioned I loveitwhen you talk hockey? It makes me want to kiss you.” I chuckled as he went on. “Yeah, it’s good to have the team prankster back, but I miss playing with ChaCha. That guy can read my mind. And Jannell’s ratio of coffee to coffee ice cream was a little off. No big deal.”
