Page 19 of Playoffs & Promises

Nate uses his most diplomatic voice as he tells me. "I don't think you understand how badly he needs those lemon bars."

Thinking of when Lou came in earlier I frown. He looked tired, and stressed. Surely it was all an act to continue driving me insane.

Straightening my shoulders, I ask, "Are you sure he didn't just hit his head on the ice too hard?"

Nate's face turns very serious. "Maria, don't even joke about it."

He looks over at Penelope. "Now Penelope and I are going to get hot chocolate while you and Lia talk about Lou."

Penelope lets out an excited "Yes!"

Nate leans over and kisses Lia on the cheek. "Call me when you're done and I'll pick you up."

She smiles and the moment reminds me so much of the book I've been reading for book club that I don't want to disturb it. Instead, I walk to the back room to give them more privacy to talk. I start wiping up the back room, even though I'd already cleaned it earlier. Cleaning as I go was the best way to keep my kitchen going and in order.

Still irritated that my best friend would ask that I make a lemon cake, I made sure to cover the lemon loaves I left out to cool enough for icing.

Lia stepped into the back with a blush still on her cheeks, and carrying the now-empty cake-tasting dishes. "We'll take the chocolate cake, but if you can do a second tier of vanilla that would be fantastic. It was a really close call."

"For how many people you've invited. You'll need a second tier." I'm happy for her happiness and everything it took for her and Nate to get it.

"Well, that's what happens when you marry into a hockey team."

I laugh. "That's a lot of brothers."

She nods dead serious. "And then there are the hockey wives."

"Any drama there?" I ask. Curious if it's anything like the TV shows I've watched.

"So far it's not bad. Hannah and Penelope prepared me for the worst of it. Some of them are like Nate's ex, and we stay as far from them as we can, but the others are kind enough. I wish Alexis could sit with us at the games, but it's kind of hard to when she works for the team. You'll meet her at the engagement party."

"Does she like to read?" I ask.

"She does, and she's really liked the books I've given her to read."

"You should invite her to book club."

"I would, but book club has been when the team is traveling for away games. I thought about asking last time we got together, but then I totally forgot."

"I'll text Sofie and see if she's open to changing the night we meet." I pull my phone out to send the text while I'm thinking about it.

"Perfect." Lia grins. "Let me know when I can invite Alexis."

"What does she do for the team?"

"Something medical. She helped Nate out when he sprained his ankle last season. She's the favorite trainer for most guys on the team when they need to rehab. She even helped Lou after his bad game."

"The one when he scored on Dan?" I ask. "I felt so bad for him."

"Bad enough to make lemon bars again?" Lia asks.

"Give it a rest," I tell her.

"Can you at least tell me why?"

"I am going to tell you that it's been great to see you, and that we should get together soon. So unless you want to discuss something other than my irritating neighbor, call that handsome fiancé of yours back to pick you up."

"Fine." she relents. "I'll say one last thing and drop it. You'd have cute babies with him."

---