Page 104 of Some Like It Hot

“And yes,” he goes on. “It is a little frustrating that you misplace your phone, and we’re going to have to come up with a way to compensate for that. But we’re obviously able to just come over and check on you. Which is what we did.” He takes a step closer. “You’re getting used to having three men who care about where and how you are. We’re getting used to having a girl that sometimes loses track of time and isn’t easy to check on. We just need to come up with some ways of dealing with that. But we are not angry with you,” he repeats.

He holds out a hand, palm up. Instinctively, I reach out and take it. He tugs me toward him, and I brace for the hug.

But he doesn’t hug me. He turns me toward the bathroom. “Get in the shower. I’ll make you something to eat. Then we’ll talk through your plan for the dresses. I’m sure you’re feeling overwhelmed. Maybe we can just help you put a list together or something. But sometimes it just helps to talk it through.”

I open my mouth to protest, then close it. That all sounds really nice. And it’s a plan.

I haven’t had one of those in a couple of days.

I know I’ll feel better after a shower. And I genuinely don't remember the last time I ate. Also, I do need to talk through my plan. It also occurs to me that tomorrow, I have a few errands I need to do. I need to run to pick up some more thread and silk. But if I call ahead to the fabric store, Gillian, who knows me well, could pull those items out and one of the guys would be happy to pick them up for me.

I take a deep breath. “Okay?—”

My front door bursts open just then and I scream and turn toward it.

There’s a huge, wild-eyed, hockey player standing there.

“Blake!”

“Jesus Christ, Elise.” He stomps toward me and wraps his huge arms around me, picking me up off the floor before I have a chance to protest that I don’t look or smell very good. “I was so worried.”

I hug him back, hoping that will make him put me down. But he holds me for several long seconds.

“Blake,” Simon finally says. “You need to let her go. She really wants to take a shower.”

Blake pulls back to look into my face. “Are you okay?”

I nod, not opening my mouth for fear of breathing horrible breath on him.

“She got caught up in her new dress orders and lost track of time,” Aidan fills in.

I feel Blake relax under me. “Thank God.”

I blink. He’s glad?

He puts me down. “Fuck, girl.” He runs a hand over my head and then down my back. “I was so fucking scared. I looked up and you weren’t in the stands. I thought you were just running late. But then later I looked up and these guys were gone. And then they were gone for way longer than a concession stand run and I started to freak out.”

I swallow hard. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

He finally looks around, taking in Simon and Aidan, and then the apartment. “It’s okay. You’ve got a lot going on. I was just worried.”

“Wait, how are you here?” Aidan asks. “The game’s not over, is it?”

“No. I…” He blows out a breath and gives me a sheepish look. “I left.”

“You left?” Simon asks.

I stare up at Blake. Oh, my God. I made such a mess here.

“I was benched,” Blake explains. “I was playing like shit. They scored on me twice, so they pulled me. I figured if I wasn’t going to help the team anyway, I could leave.” He cups my face. “I needed to get over here.”

“Oh my God, Blake.” I shake my head. “I’m so sorry. This is so bad. It’s all my fault.”

“It’s okay.” He shrugs. “They’ll fine me but what are they gonna do? Fire me?” He gives me a half smile that actually makes my stomach swoop a little. “I needed to be sure you were okay. It’s just a game.”

“But… you should have cal…” Then I realize that he probably tried. Fuck. The fact that I can’t keep track of my phone is a huge problem. I have to get my shit together!

But he turns a frown on Aidan and Simon. “I would have just called, but I don’t have your numbers,” he tells the guys. “We need to fix that.”

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