Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“Settle down, Ryder.” I jumped and turned to see Gloria. She grinned at me. “He’s in here wooing her with art talk. She’d not falling for it.”
“How long has he been here?” I asked as Gloria frowned in thought, barely causing a line on her face.
“I suppose about twenty minutes. I was helping people here and there.”
My jaw set, and she let out a chuckle.
“Look at you, all jealous.”
“That’s not it. He’s just a bit much for a woman like Elyse. She’s… I don’t want to say delicate.” I knew I should be sensitive about Elyse and the words that I used.
“Elyse’s strong. I’ve watched her get through a lot, and that one won’t persuade her one way or the other. Don’t worry. She loves you.” I looked at Gloria in surprise. “She didn’t say it, but she doesn’t have to. It’s all over her face.”
“I love her more than anything,” I admitted and smiled slowly.
“Then tuck whatever you’re feeling away and go get her. Calmly,” Gloria told me, and I nodded. “I know you’re a tough guy out there on the ice. I’ve watched you play. There’s no room for that here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I watched as she walked away as someone asked for the latest Lulu Pratt. I brushed my hand through my hair and strode over, pushing away my conflicting emotions. Elyse looked up, and her eyes widened, but I merely grinned at her. Her expression made him look over, and he tensed as I reminded myself to act civilized.
“Hi, Elyse. I wanted to come to see you since I finished for the day.” I kissed her cheek gently, and she frowned at me. “Good to see you again, Lucas, how are you?” I remembered his name and offered him my hand to shake.
“I’m good. You’ve had some great games lately,” he said after a pause, and I thanked him. “I was just talking to Elyse about showing some more work in my gallery. She was just describing a piece that she is still working on. People have been asking about her.”
“That would be great. I’ll try to convince her myself.”
He excused himself with a reminder to Elyse to call him.
“Why do you look so surprised?” I asked.
“You acted so calm. Do you have a fever?” Elyse reached out to touch my face, and I caught her hand in mine.
“You love me. I need to focus on that,” I said, and her face broke into a beautiful smile.
“Wow, I like this. Maybe I should have said it sooner, since I’ve felt it for a while.” She took a slow look around and then leaned up to press a light kiss to my lips. “How are you?”
“Good. We finished practice and the workout, and I thought I’d come by and invite you to dinner.” I looked around to see a few customers browsing the shelves. “When are you off?”
“Dinner sounds wonderful. Four, so two more hours.” She smiled again. “Do you want to wait or pick me up?”
“I think I’ll pick you up. I need to take care of a few things. Drive safe, baby. I’ll be over at five.”
She nodded, and I stole another kiss, keeping it suitable for public display.
“See you soon.”
I smiled and left the store, stopping for tea on the way out to ease the chill outside. I made my way to my car and headed to a few stores. First, I picked up a bouquet to bring her with various flowers and colors that I had them make on-site, which worked out well since they recognized me.
After that, I went to the jewelry store that the guys favored for their significant others. The woman behind the counter tilted her head, and I watched as recognition crossed her face. “A new face from our team. Welcome.”
“Hello, and thank you,” I introduced myself and she asked what I was looking for. By the time I told her and picked something out, it was nearly time to pick Elyse up, and I asked for a gift box. I slid back into my car and looked at the assortment of gifts, deciding what I was going to give her and when as the engine warmed up. I figured I dressed for a casual dinner that I knew she preferred if we had some privacy.
I pulled up to her house ten minutes early and shut the engine off. I scanned my phone for any relevant notifications, glancing over as I heard a door. The officer I spoke with the first time was coming out and looked at me with a smile. I hopped out, and he walked up to shake my hand with a few words about our season. “Is everything okay?” I asked when we had a pause, and he nodded.
“I check on her every now and again. Elyse tells me that you know everything now.” He looked at me as if to make sure I understood the seriousness of the situation.