I put my car in park and stare at the office building in front of me. I would have preferred to woo Adalyn in private but now that fucking Logan lives with her—which don’t even get me started on—I have no choice but to visit her at her office building because I’ll be damned if I have to stand there, talking to Adalyn with Logan’s shit-eating grin staring back at me.

I pick up the bakery box next to me and head into the building, pulling my hat down on my forehead, hoping I’m not recognized. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself, because all I want to do is say good morning to my girl, tell her to have a good day, and then head off to the rink for some training.

Heading to the second floor for suite 210—thank you, Chris—I turn the corner to a span of glass windows only to see Logan talking to Adalyn in the office entryway.

Spinning against a wall to hide myself, I mutter, “Son of a bitch!” Clutching the pink pastry box close to my stomach, I lean past the corner of the wall, one eye peeking past.

What is he doing here? I swear to God, if he’s working with Adalyn as well, I’m going to straight up chuck these pastries at the glass windows, stomp my feet, and throw a goddamn tantrum. It is not beneath me to do so.

Intently, I watch their every move, their body language and the way the fucker leans in toward her, laughing as if Adalyn said the funniest thing. She’s funny, but come on, throwing your head back and laughing so early in the morning. Can we say desperate?

Leaning in closer, Logan wraps his arms around Adalyn’s shoulders, hugging her.

My nostrils flare as my hands accidentally crush the corners of the pastry box. If he goes in for a kiss, I will see red.

Holding my breath, my eyes trained on the man who’s making my life difficult, I wait. Adalyn rubs his back, he returns the touch, and I’m two seconds from making a Hayden-shaped hole through the glass of the office.

He says something to her, squeezes her again and then pulls away. I wait on bated breath for their next move. “Get out of there, you motherfucker,” I whisper. “Stop lingering and move the fuck on.” Leaning in a little farther Logan holds Adalyn’s attention, and I’m itching to make my move to break them up when Adalyn steps away and waves.

Jesus Christ.

I scurry back behind the wall and let out a long breath. The glass door to the office opens and Logan takes off down the stairs, reaching into his back pocket to pull out his phone.

“Trip, you motherfucker, trip.” To my disappointment, there isn’t any thumping down the stairs . . . unfortunately. I wait a few seconds before rounding the corner, puffing my chest, and walking toward the office while attempting to un-crinkle the corners of the pastry box.

When I enter the office there are no patients, thankfully, and the receptionists seems to be out of sight as well as Adalyn. Walking up to the counter, I lean over and say, “Hello?”

“We’re closed right now,” Adalyn calls out.

“Hey, Adalyn.” Her head pops around a partition. Mouth parts in surprise.

“Hayden, what are you doing here?” Her eyes scan the area behind me probably wondering if I ran into Logan. Thankfully I was spared conversing with him.

I nod with my head. “Come here and find out.”

Stepping out to the front, her baby-blue scrubs bring out the pink in her cheeks and are starting to fit snug to her little pregnant belly. I can’t help it. My eyes go straight to the bump.

Pulling on her shirt, she says, “I have to get some new scrubs, these are getting a little tight.”

“You look beautiful.” Standing awkwardly, I pull her into a hug, wanting to erase the last one she just received. “How are you this morning? Did you get sick?”

Shaking her head against my chest, she says, “No, thankfully. Lo-uh, I made eggs this morning and some toast and ate it first thing, which seemed to settle my stomach.”

I’m not stupid, she was going to say Logan made her eggs. Trying to seem as casual as possible, she doesn’t need more stress, so I give her a squeeze.

“That’s great to hear. And you have your water?” Dumb question but I don’t know what else to say, I want to show her I care, but I really have no idea how to go about doing that, so water talk it is. This used to be so much easier.

“Yes, got my water.” She steps back and fiddles with her hands in front of her, avoiding eye contact. Christ, from where I stood, she had a much better conversation with Logan, and it’s about killing me to know that.

“Got the office some pastries. There is a place around the corner that sells really good apple fritters. Thought you and the ladies might like to pick at them throughout the day.”

Adalyn tilts her head to the side when she speaks to me. “That was very thoughtful of you, but don’t you have a game today?”

“Yeah, but I don’t have to report in until later. When I have a home stretch, I’m around quite a bit.” Hint, hint. I’m not gone all the time. “Which reminds me”—I reach into my back pocket—“I have some tickets for you and the staff here for the game on Sunday. Don’t feel like you need to go, but if you are interested, here are a few tickets. And I put your name on the list for the family and friends suite for after the game. They usually have drinks and snacks afterwards. It’s fun, and you get to greet the players when they come off the ice.”

“Oh, thank you.” She takes the tickets. “I’m sure the girls will love to go.”

“Chris’s wife should be there.” I put my hands in my pockets. “Shannon, right?”

Adalyn nods. “Yes, Shannon. She told me she goes to every game.” Looking at the tickets, she jokes, “Couldn’t get tickets for tonight?”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Thought it would be polite to give you a week’s notice.”

“How polite.”

I want to tell her the tickets are for the staff here only and no one else. Basically, no Logan.

“Wednesday night we have off, I have some press stuff going on tomorrow, I was thinking maybe I could take you to dinner.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Hayden.”

“As friends,” I say quickly, grasping at anything at this point. “I would like to hear about your birth plans and”—I take pause, swallowing hard—“have you found out the sex of the baby yet?”

She shakes her head. “I want to wait right now. I’m still trying to make it through one day without throwing up, I don’t think I could put a sex label on this baby because right now, all it is to me, is demon child.”

Laughing, I nod. “Yeah, I don’t blame you there.” Taking a step forward, I lace my fingers with hers and rub the pad of my thumb over her knuckles. “Please have dinner with me, Adalyn?”

“I go to bed early.”

“How early?”

“Ten.” She chuckles.

“That’s not early, but don’t worry, I’ll get you home before bedtime.” I pull on her hand. “Please.”

She concedes, and heaves a heavy sigh. “Okay, what time?”

“Don’t sound so pained about it,” I joke, squeezing her hand. “What time works best for you?”

“How about five?”

“Dining with the early birds, I like it. I’ll pick you up.”

“I can actually meet you—”

Not going to fucking happen. I shake my head. “I’ll pick you up.” Gesturing toward the pink box, I say, “Enjoy the fritters, hand out the tickets, and make sure to keep one for yourself. Have a good day.” I bring her knuckles to my lips and kiss them softly. Wiggling my eyebrows, I say, “Don’t forget to text me back, because I have some great conversations planned out.”

Laughing, she takes her hand back and folds her arms across her chest, a glint in her eye. “Is that right? Real riveting text conversations?”

“Get ready to be blown away.”

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Taking the box with her, she walks behind the reception desk. “Don’t hype it up if you can’t deliver, Holmes.” That right there—that look, the teasing lilt in her voice—that’s the Adalyn who stole my heart. That’s the girl I’ve been craving, and seeing that little glimpse of her gives me hope.

“I always deliver, babe. Always.”

Hayden: Did you know alligators swim out of the way of a manatee’s path?

Adalyn: Is this the mind-blowing text conversation you were talking about?

Hayden: Just a soft opener. What did you think?

Adalyn: I think it’s kind of strange.

Hayden: Fun facts are always strange but useless information you can utilize to impress others.

Adalyn: Is that what you’re doing? Trying to impress you?

Hayden: If I am is it working?

Adalyn: I want to say yes to save your pride . . .

Hayden: Please, no pity yeses, I don’t think my heart can take them.

Adalyn: I think you could have opened up with a more useful fact.

Hayden: Manatees and alligators aren’t useful? Odd . . . give me a good example of a useful fact.

Adalyn: Because of water weight, a women’s shoe size can grow one full size bigger during pregnancy.

Hayden: So what you’re trying to tell me is that you would like to borrow my shoes. Anytime babe, you don’t even have to ask.

Adalyn: Don’t you wear a seven in men? That won’t work.

Hayden: Feeling spicy today, are we?

Adalyn: I think it’s the sugar high from the fritters.

Hayden: How many have you eaten?

Adalyn: I don’t want to say.

Hayden: I’ve seen you take down an entire sheet cake, so your fritter consumption won’t faze me.

Adalyn: I didn’t take down an entire sheet cake. Don’t you dare text lie.

Hayden: It’s called embellishing for comedic effect.

Adalyn: Well since I’m feeling larger than normal, you can cut down on the embellishing, funny boy.

Hayden: Honest comment coming - - > You look gorgeous.

Adalyn: You just want to know how many fritters I’ve eaten today.

Hayden: Yes but I do think you’re gorgeous, so you can’t change my mind about that.

Adalyn: Took an extra dose of charming today, I see.

Hayden: To match your spice. Now tell me, how many?

Adalyn: This is so embarrassing . . . four.

Hayden: *eyes pop out of sockets* FOUR??

Adalyn: I hate you.

Hayden: Nah, impossible.

“Are you ready, Holmes?” Chris asks, sitting next to me, wrapping his goalie stick.

“Yeah, feeling good. What about you?” I nudge his shoulder with mine.

“A little beat up from this weekend, but other than that, ready to go.” Eyeing my phone in my hands, Chris says, “Shannon told me you took fritters to the office this morning.”

I lean back against the locker. “Just trying to win over my girl.”

“Yeah, well, don’t drown the rest of us in the process. Shannon was telling me how we’ve lost our spark, because I don’t take her bakery treats at the office.”

“Oh shit.” I laugh. “Did she say that?”

“Called me once you left, asked me to bring her a latte to go with the fritter that the handsome new guy brought into the office.”

“And did you?”

“Of course I did. I can’t have you showing me up. I brought lattes for everyone, damn it.”

Laughing and shaking my head, I say, “That is one happy doctor’s office.”

“They’re Quakes fans, that’s for damn sure.”

“Bribing nurses and doctors with lattes and fritters, we might be onto something.”

Chris nods his head as my phone buzzes in my hand. “We should bring it up to PR. I’m sure they would have a field day with it.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Zoning out, I open my text from Adalyn.

Adalyn: Pizza should be on the list of things pregnant women should eat. Dairy, protein, veggies, and grains. What more can you ask for?

Smiling to myself, I respond back.

Hayden: It’s on my list of pregnancy-approved foods along with four apple fritters a day.

Adalyn: Funny. Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for a game?

Taking a picture of my socked-up legs, I send it along with a comment.

Hayden: It’s the calm before the storm in the locker room right now. Waiting for coach to come in and do his spiel.

Adalyn: Oh, huh, for some reason I thought you couldn’t have phones in the locker room.

Chuckling, I type her back as fast as my fingers will work. This is a moment, a moment I can show her that in fact I might have a game, but even during that time right before it, we can still be connected.

Hayden: This isn’t one of those hipster parties where you’re required to put your phone in a bowl before you enter the house. A good amount of the guys have families, and they’re usually FaceTiming with their kids leading up to the game.

Adalyn: I see that you’re trying to prove a point.

Hayden: Is it working?

Adalyn: I don’t really want to talk about that right now.

Hayden: Fair enough. Are you going to watch the game tonight?

Adalyn: I can’t, sorry. We don’t have cable.

We.

One single word can turn my fucking stellar day into pure crap.

We, meaning Adalyn and Logan. From the mere thought of them curling up on her couch together, snuggling to watch me play, causes my stomach to roll and my skin to break out into a sweat. Fucking Logan. I still don’t understand why he’s an outside factor I need to work around.

Needing a second, I take a sip of my water and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to rid of the image of Logan wrapped around Adalyn out of my mind.

“Dude, are you okay?” Chris asks, “You look pale.”

“Fine.” I scratch my beard.

“You don’t look fine. Does this have to do with the person who’s texting you?”

Melting into the locker behind me, the hardwood cutting into my back a bitter welcome. “It’s Adalyn. When she moved out here, her friend moved with her.”

“Logan, right?”

My eyes snap to Chris. “You know about Logan?”

“I know of him.” Chris bites the roll of tape, finishing off a section of his stick. “Shannon was telling me about him the other day, how he’s always at the office, picking up and dropping off Adalyn. He hovers, but when Shannon asks Adalyn about him, all she says is he’s a friend.”

“Yeah, that’s the term I keep hearing too. Friend.”

Reaching over, Chris squeezes my shoulder. “Coming from a guy who married way out of his league, I’m going to tell you this. Don’t sweat the stuff that doesn’t matter. If you want Adalyn, focus on her, not him.”

Focus on her, not him. Fuck that’s good advice. Advice I wish I had early on. And it seems easier said than done, not to focus on him, but I’ll try, especially if it stops the sharp, pulsing pain I get every time I hear his name. With that new mantra running through my head, I type Adalyn back.

Hayden: Such a shame, you’ll be missing a good show. Don’t worry. I’ll give you a play-by-play on Wednesday.

She’s quick in texting back making me believe she’s giving me her full attention right now. I like that.

Adalyn: Will this play-by-play be at the dinner table with straws and sugar packets replacing hockey sticks and pucks?

Hayden: If you’re lucky.

Adalyn: Do you know where we’re going to dinner? The baby likes to plan these things out.

I smile to myself. This is the first time she’s referred to the baby as a real thing, and fuck if it doesn’t wash away the sour feelings I was having about Logan. Forget all of that, she just mentioned the baby. Our baby.

Hayden: You tell me, what is the baby craving?

Adalyn: Pizza.

Hayden: Then pizza it is.

Hayden: Good morning, beautiful.

Adalyn: Good morning. Congratulations on your win last night.

Hayden: Did you get cable just to watch me play? Wow, that’s going above and beyond for your baby daddy.

Adalyn: Don’t flatter yourself. I looked it up this morning while sipping some tea.

Hayden: First of all, it’s cute that you checked. Thank you. Second, only tea this morning. Captain Cock Blocker didn’t make you eggs this morning?

Adalyn: LOL, he’s not a cock blocker, and I wasn’t feeling too great this morning, so I drank some tea to settle my nausea.

Hayden: I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well. Are you doing better now?

Adalyn: Yes. I brought a protein bar with me to work in case I felt hungry this morning, so I’ll be good.

Hayden: Pregnancy seems like a real joy ride.

Adalyn: You’re lucky all you had to do was stick your penis in me. Carrying this child is a whole different world.

Hayden: I can’t even imagine. That’s why I’m trying to be the best partner in all of this. If you go to the oven in the break room, I believe you’ll find something staying warm for you in there.

Adalyn: Did you bring me more fritters?

Hayden: Better. Go look.

Adalyn: OMG is that breakfast pizza?

Hayden: Yup, fresh from the oven, full of all your daily nutrients: dairy, veggies, and grains plus an additional protein with the eggs.

Adalyn: I’m so happy right now.

Reading that at seven thirty in the morning made my entire day. A picture buzzes on my phone and I quickly open it up to find Adalyn munching down on a slice of the breakfast pizza, a huge—albeit full—smile on her face. I save the picture to my phone and text her back.

Hayden: Even with a breakfast pizza shoved halfway down your throat, you’re still gorgeous.

Adalyn: I’m positively glowing. I can feel the pizza aura lighting up the space around me.

Hayden: Then my job here is done. Have a good day, Adalyn.