Page 103 of One Pucking Surprise
“Just hockey stuff,” Wyatt says with a wink before heading back out.
I walk over to Lainey and kiss her. She’s adding snacks to her plate when her phone pings.
“What’s that?” I ask.
She shows me her phone. “Guess who just friended me on social media?”
“Who?”
“Clarissa,” she says, holding up a picture. It’s Clarissa overseas with a man.
“She apologized for everything,” Lainey continues. “And that she’s learning how to love herself one step at a time.”
“Good for her,” I say honestly.
I pull the envelope from my pocket and hand it to Lainey.
“What’s this?”
“Drew’s wedding invitation. Wyatt gave it to me; said it was my call whether you saw it.”
She opens it, scanning the details. “Aww, I’m happy for him. I guess he finally found the one.”
“Are you going to go?”
“No,” she says, smiling up at me. “It wouldn’t feel right. Thanks for giving it to me, though.”
“Of course, baby. I trust you.” I kiss her again, letting my lips linger on hers.
“All right, everyone,” Lainey announces as we step back into the living room, her hand resting on her belly. “It’s time for charades!”
“Yes!” Jasper and Joshua shout in unison, their excitement infectious. “We’re teaming up with our dads!”
“I call Anna!” Chloe chimes in, raising her hand like it’s a classroom roll call.
“I’m with Alice!” Janelle declares, giving the teenager a playful wink.
“We’re partners!” Whitney and Cora yell at the same time, grinning like they’ve already won.
“I’m teaming up with Mark!” Blair adds with a smirk, throwing a victorious glance toward the rest of us.
Chloe crosses her arms, feigning deep thought before turning her gaze to Lainey. “Looks like you’re stuck with Zach.”
Lainey laughs, oblivious to the knowing smiles being exchanged around the room. “That’s fine by me,” she says cheerfully.
“We’re the best team anyway, right, baby?” I add, brushing a kiss to her cheek as I wrap an arm around her.
Blair shoots me a teasing glare. “You wish, Zach!”
The room erupts in laughter.
The game starts, and the laughter carries straight into it. Jasper’s awkward dinosaur impression has everyone in stitches, and Alice’soverly dramatic queen bee performance gets a standing ovation.
When it’s my turn, I draw the slip I planted earlier. Perfect. I grab the marker and start drawing.
Lainey squints at the image. “A ring?”
I nod, adding more details.
