Page 20 of Make Your Move

“No, I do want to.” She pauses, flattening her lips. “I also know these seats are expensive.”

So, it’s just Nova being her stubborn self.

I laugh softly, smiling at her. I can more than afford to put her and her daughter in a cushy suite. “Just say thank you, Nova.”

The corners of her lips lift. “Thank you, Nova.” Her eyes widen. “Shit, I mean Lincoln.” She lets out a hearty laugh, and I watch the way her face transforms like the moon. “I need to go to sleep.”

“Sleep sounds amazing right now,” I agree as I lean back to stretch, letting out a yawn.

Nova rises to her feet and pushes in the chair before she looks at me again. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I smile at her, reveling in the promise on her lips.

“Tomorrow.”

CHAPTER NINE

NOVA

Posey smacks her hands on the glass, giggling as the music starts to play through the sound system in the arena. Instinctively, I begin to sway my hips to the beat as I hold Posey’s waist. She wanted up so she’s standing on the ledge that is around the tops of the boards.

Riley laughs, and my father looks over and smiles at Poe before looking back out at the ice as the players begin to come out. A few stand by the bench while some of the others begin to start skating circles around their half of the rink. I look over and see my brother and his best friend as they both step out onto the ice.

Last season, I wasn’t able to make it to that many games, and I plan to do better this year. Posey is a little older, so it makes it easier. Last year, she was too young to even want to watch and now, she wants to stand up and see what they’re doing. I brought her to the glass to watch warm-ups and so she can see her uncle and Lincoln.

Their goalie skates out to the net, adjusting his helmet on his head, and I watch as Lincoln and Nash move to the center of the ice. They both get down on the surface and start to go through a series of stretches while they talk.

Nash bought a ticket for our father in the same box after he found out Lincoln already bought tickets for Posey and me. Lincoln tried to play it off as if it weren’t a big deal, and he got them on sale or something. I didn’t fully pay attention to the explanation he gave him, but whatever it was must have been good because my brother bought it and didn’t question it at all.

“Wook, Mommy!” Posey exclaims as she taps my cheek and then presses her finger against the glass. I look out to where she’s pointing as some of the players start skating around with pucks. “Pfuck!”

My eyes widen, and I immediately feel embarrassed, but also amused. My father looks over at me. “Did she just swear?”

I shake my head at him, laughing softly. “No, she can’t say puck right. Nash has been trying to turn her into his little hockey prodigy.”

“Oh dear,” my father mutters, shaking his head. A smile finds its way to his lips. “I think you already know what you’re getting yourself into if he succeeds.”

“Yeah, well, she’s also only two, so a lot can change,” I remind him with laughter still in my tone. “She still wants to be an astronaut when she grows up too.”

“Reminds me of another little girl I knew,” he tells me with sentiment in his voice and a wink. He looks at Posey, and there’s nothing but love in his gaze. She’s brought so much to all of our lives that we didn’t realize we were missing.

In a way, it felt like she is woven with little pieces of our mother.

“Winky!” Posey says excitedly as she begins to bob up and down. Her movements take me by surprise and I tighten my grip on her waist so she doesn’t fall.

I look away from my father and see Lincoln as he comes skating over to us. “Calm down, Poe,” I tell her softly as my gaze locks with his. His hair is a tousled mess on top of his head,and his bourbon eyes probe mine. My mouth instantly goes dry. There’s something about seeing him in all his gear that I’ve always enjoyed.

He really does look good in a blue jersey too.

A smile breaks out across his lips, and he flashes his straight white teeth at Posey and me. I roll my lips between my teeth as my heart picks up the pace in my chest. He directs his gaze to Poe, and he raises his glove to the glass. “Hi, Posey,” he says to her. Although his voice is a little muffled, she still hears him. She giggles loudly as she lifts her own little hand to try and reach him.

The glass separates them, but I swear to god, I feel like I’m going to melt into a damn puddle at how sweet the moment is. Lincoln on one side, his eyes bright and glittering as he stares at her. Posey on this side, staring up at him with wonderment as they both hold their hands to each other.

“Good luck tonight,” I tell him, not sure if he can hear me. His eyes are on my lips, so I know he can at least read them.

His expression is soft as his eyes meet mine again. “I have all the luck I need.”

My breath catches in my throat, and my heart skips a beat. My lips part, but I’m at a loss for words. He rendered me speechless, and I don’t think he was even trying it. I’m saved by Nash as he skates over to where Lincoln is and grabs Posey’s attention.

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