Page 127 of Defensive Zone

“Talk to her. This is your life and you two are in love and happy. That’s all that should matter,” Ava said, giving her arm a squeeze.

“I know,” Gabi said, her voice soft.

“Come with me,” Max said, guiding Gabi down the hallway and into the laundry room.

“Max. We don’t have time for a repeat,” she deadpanned as her phone rang again.

“See. You can still find humor when you’re panicking about your mom. Just answer it and tell her that I’m perfect,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Then he leaned down and kissed her.

She loved kissing this man. His lips were gentle and demanding at the same time, and she quickly gave in with a soft moan. Her tongue darted out to sweep inside his mouth. She would never get enough of him and he apparently felt the same way.

At the end of the day, no one else mattered.

She broke the kiss, her breathing raspy.

“Okay, go go. I need to call her back. Go eat breakfast.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” he asked, raking his hand through his still-damp hair.

She eyed the dryer and he chuckled.

“No. We can never be in this room together,” she said, trailing her hand down his chest.

He gave her a quick bruising kiss. “I love you and don’t you forget it,” he said. “I’ll be right out there if you need me. Just yell my name.” He paused and winked. “I know you’re good at that.”

“Oh my god. Stop it,” she said, shoving him out of the room, her mood a little lighter than it’d been only ten minutes ago when she’d started getting those texts. He knew how to distract her.

God. She loved him. She really did.

And that was exactly what she was going to tell her mom.

She tapped on her mother’s name.

“Hi, Mom,” she said when her mother answered immediately.

“You’re dating Max Bastian? The hockey player and your boss?” her mother launched in.

“Good morning to you, too,” she deadpanned.

“Do you know how these pictures look? There are articles, or posts or whatever, when I Goggled your name and his, too,” her mother said.

Gabi took in a deep breath. “Mom. I know it looks bad, but we fell in love.”

“Love. Really? If I remember correctly, you two hate each other.”

“Hate is such a strong word. He was an annoying teenager, but we’ve grown up.”

“Isn’t he known for still pulling ridiculous pranks all the time? Doesn’t sound grown up to me.”

“It’s just for fun with his teammates, Mom. Max is a great guy and I’m in love with him. And he loves me. Isn’t that all that matters?” she asked, trying not to get frustrated.

“Oh, honey, love like that doesn’t always last. You two are so different. You need commonality to make a relationship work. And he’s paying you. It doesn’t look good,” her mother said.

“It’s going to work,” Gabi said. She knew she sounded irritated, but what the hell.

“And if it doesn’t? Will it be weird with Ava? She’s your best friend. And then you’ll be looking for a new nanny position. There’s so much more you can do with your life, Gabi.”

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