Slade had wrestled with sleep several nights in a row. He was in the small room the staff of Pat’s and Sunday’s both used to store their belongings while working, when the door opened, barely missing his head not once, but twice.
Reena gasped. “I’m sorry, Slade.”
“No problem.”
If he wanted to sound like a busybody, or a Collins, he’d ask the waitress how things were going with Rush. The downside of such a loving family holding their arms open wide to those who worked for them was they were all subject to nosey questions. Slade was in the same boat as Reena, and he really wanted to ask her if she and her new boyfriend, Rush, had talked about how fast they themselves seemed to be moving, but she appeared to be in a hurry.
“Another time,” he muttered.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, nothing. Talking to myself. You’re done early?”
“Yeah.”
“Lucky. See ya later then.” Slade checked his phone after Reena shut the door. No texts or missed calls today from Kori. He’d been hoping they could eat dinner at Sunday’s together. Disappointed, he slid his phone back in his cubby and walked out, turning down the long hallway.
A feminine voice drew him toward the bar, smiling on the way.
“No. But thank you. No, really, thanks anyway.”
It was Kori, her conversation mixed with that of a man.
When Slade turned the corner, he narrowed his gaze, not recognizing the man standing with his hand on the back of her chair.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude to visitors, but I don’t think my boyfriend would like it very much if I accepted your drink offer.”
“Nev, bud, I think that might be the boyfriend…and he’s watching,” his friend said.
Slade was indeed watching, and he saw two things. The slap from one stranger to another, a warning of sorts, and the thousand-watt smile Kori lit the pub with after turning to him.
He ignored the half-assed apology from the other man as he made his way to his girlfriend.
The sound of the word “boyfriend” had made his system hum. He felt more alive than ever before. She’d probably used it as a defense mechanism, but Slade was making it permanent.
He got to her before she could rise. Sliding his palms over her soft cheeks, he held her tight, like a man possessed, and kissed her. Not a sweet hello, but a claiming kiss, one that left them both breathless as he finally pulled away.
So many emotions flooded her face. What appeared to be relief, joy and the one that melted him…adoration.
“I missed you. I was just going through my phone to see if you’d texted or left me any messages.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” She grinned.
“You in my arms is the best kind of surprise. I’m actually off for dinner break now. Do you have time to eat with me?”
She winked, then wagged her brows. “I know you are. I had insider info.”
Her gaze drifted over his left shoulder. He followed her line of sight to Ailis.
“She said it was her way of thanking us for the flowers you bought her.”
“You two are hysterical.” He mouthed “thanks” to his co-worker over the crowd of people making their way in for the Ravens game. “But I’m glad you have an inside source.” Holding her hand, he led her to a table in the back of Sunday’s, not quiet, but for the amount of business the restaurant did, it was as good as they’d get.
“I knew you’d have to hurry, and you won’t tell me your favorite, so Riley’s making what she said you order most often,” she said as they sat down.
Slade intertwined their fingers and kissed the back of her hand. “Good, I don’t want to waste one minute bothering with menus and such. And it’s Riley’s fault I don’t have a favorite meal; everything is so good I can’t choose. So, have you thought about Simon’s questions?”
Her eyes went wide. Her former coach had filled him in on her own almost story, while she’d sat looking anywhere but at either of them. Kori could have been a professional skater in her own right. Instead of age and injuries standing in her way, it’d been money.
“I guess, for a minute. I’m flattered, but I can’t. If I did, I’d only have one day to give him and then I’d be working seven days a week. It wouldn’t leave me any time to see you.”
“Well, since I’m your boyfriend,” he watched her face turn various shades of red, “that is something we need to make a priority.”
Kori had pulled her hand from his and was hiding her face. “You weren’t supposed to hear that. And I didn’t think you had, since you didn’t respond. God, I’m so embarrassed. It’s way too early to presume—”
Slade moved her hand away. “Kori Grace, one thing you’ll never need to be around me is embarrassed. But I have to tell you, I’d been thinking it over myself. I love working here, love everything about it. I think hockey is something I’m finally ready to walk away from, permanently. Didn’t think I’d ever be saying those words, at least not yet.” He paused. “But you came into my life and, a lot has changed since. I’m first on, first off tonight, so I’ll get cut as soon as the game is over. I was wondering if by chance,” he inhaled deeply, “you’d want to let me pick you up, along with a bag of whatever you might need. Then would you like to go home with me…for the night?”
They’d been lingering longer and longer in their nightly goodbyes. She had to be expecting his request. Slade still inhaled, holding it for her answer.
She bit her lip and nodded.
Slade was a tad disappointed, hoping to hear her gut reaction and what might fly out of her mouth. Her quick reactions never failed to amuse him. He thought of what lied ahead for his night and took her hand back in his grasp, turning it over. Bending slightly, he kissed the inside of her wrist, inhaling her perfume. “The remainder of this shift is going to be the longest ever.”