Page 38 of The Roommate Remodel

“Thank you, Mr. MacPherson, for coming today,” Ms. Bennett says, beaming. “You were a big hit! Our little monsters would love to have you back any time!”

I raise my hand. “Can I take a few pictures of Brax with the kids—for publicity?”

“Be my guest,” she says as the kids climb all over Brax, like he’s a human jungle gym. He sets one kid on each shoulder and gives me a big grin.

“Say cheese!” I hold up my phone.

“Cheese!” the kids yell in unison.

As they scatter back to the tables, Brax hands Ethan his stuffed kitty. “Thanks for letting me borrow this today. Would you like a picture together to show your parents?”

Ethan’s face spreads into an elated smile.

While Brax kneels next to Ethan and wraps his arms around the boy’s shoulders, a funny feeling surges in my chest. It’s more than attraction. It’s somethingdeeper.

This man is getting under my skin in the worst and best of ways.

I know Brax isn’t doing this for the publicity. He doesn’t care about that. He’s doing this for Ethan.

What’s more, I’m so proud of him, I can’t hold back a stupid grin. I take at least a dozen pictures and promise to email them to Janie later.

“Mr. Brax, will you come back to read again?” Ethan asks, beaming at him.

“Of course,” Brax says, returning a smile. Then he puts on his best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice and says, “I’ll be back.”

Ethan giggles.

I know he wouldn’t make that promise unless he meant it. Even though I can’t get enough of seeing Brax’s softer side, I hate how gooey it makes me feel, like the soft center of a chocolate-covered caramel.

After waving goodbye and giving a dozen hugs, we finally head to the bus.

Brax leans close. “I’ll be honest, I was a little doubtful about doing this. But seeing those kids—it was amazing.”

“You’re not just saying this to get extra brownie points, so you won’t have to do our next community event?” I arch an eyebrow.

He laughs. “Not at all. I really enjoyed myself.” He glances at me nervously. “Was I okay?”

I can’t believe a professional hockey player needs reassurancefrom me.

“You were...” I leave him hanging for a beat. “Amazing.”

He beams at me with a one-hundred-watt smile, and my heart feels like a water balloon about to burst.

He’s handsome.Andhe’s good with kids?

The perfect combination for making my heart stumble.

NINE

Brax

When I arrive home, the guys are gathered in the living room telling Sloan about their elementary school visit.

“They thought I was a superhero,” Leo says. “One kid compared me to Ironman with skates.”

Oh man, this is going to inflate Leo’s head even more.

“You really fooled them.” Tate smirks as Vale snorts.

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