Page 112 of On Thin Ice

I shot her a wink, then tugged her into a side hug so I could kiss her cheek. “I look sexy doing everything.” I loved having Livi snuggled up against my chest. I was fully invested in being the best dad possible despite my upbringing, and playing an active role with my daughter as much as I could was important to me. Ally knew that but enjoyed teasing me. Fuck, I couldn’t get enough of it. Through everything we’d been to each other over the years, and especially in the last six months, that teasing and flirting had never faded, and I was here for it.

She rolled her eyes at me, but her smile was still in place. “Your ego is massive. Livi, ignore Daddy.” Then she leaned in and kissed our daughter’s head. “She smells so good.”

“Until she doesn’t.” I grimaced, remembering Livi’s diaper from this morning. How something so small could produce something so rank and abundant was baffling.

“How dare he say that to you. Don’t listen, baby. You are sunshine and roses,” she said, putting her hands over Livi’s ears. Well, over her hat because our little peanut was bundled up like she was ready for an Arctic expedition. January in Denver was fucking cold. Not as cold as winters in Montreal, but it got close.

I barked out a laugh. “Mommy needs to get her nose checked.”

We’d settled into a routine of some sort. Well, as much as one could with a newborn and the NHL’s regular season schedule. I’d gotten home from another road trip yesterday and had missed both of them beyond reason. At least Ally kept me updated with texts and video chats, but part of me was looking forward to the off-season when my schedule would calm down. Not that I wanted to hurry that along, because getting to the playoffs this year looked like a possibility. We were fifth in ourdivision and just outside of our conference’s wild card spot. We’d been playing well, and of course, I wanted that to continue.

“It’s working just fine.” She opened the door to the bakery. “It smells amazing in here. Almost as delightful as our Livi.”

I leaned down, making eye contact with my daughter. “It’s a good thing we love her, right, Livi?”

“Get in here. Oh my god, you look so adorable,” Anna called out from the counter.

I gave her a small bow. “Why, thank you.”

Anna waved her hand at me. “Pssh. I meant Olivia.”

Ally grinned. “Of course you did. It turns out that fatherhood has turned this player into somewhat of a goofball.”

“You love it.” I pulled her in close and gave her a quick kiss.

I was starting to get carried away when she finally broke it.

“Dom,” she whispered, her cheeks pink.

“Looks like everything is going well,” Anna said, smirking. “Now, bring that baby over here and pick out a snack.”

I headed over to the counter. “Yes, she’s the perfect baby.”

Anna leaned in. “Hi, cutie. Ooh, she’s sleeping. She’s just beautiful, you guys,” she whispered.

“Takes after her mother,” I said, glancing over at Ally, whose cheeks were still tinged pink as she rolled her eyes at me.

“Is that little Livi? I picked a great time to swing by,” Cora said from behind me.

I turned to see her and Tally approaching.

Anna laughed. “Like you’re not here all the time.”

Cora huffed. “Not all the time. Sometimes, I’m at home or at the arena for games. And this is a I and I’m a writer, so I’m required to be here, sitting at a table, eating scones, pretending to write. I think I learned that from some of my new writer friends.”

“Seems valid,” Anna teased. “Cinnamon chip scone as usual?”

“Like you have to ask.” Cora turned her attention to my daughter. “Hi, little Livi. You’re getting so big and so cute.”

“She’s always been cute.” I was slightly affronted.

Tally barked out a laugh. “Man, you are so done.”

I shrugged. “Don’t even care.”

“I’m glad we ran into you,” Cora interjected.

Tally quirked a brow. “Like we never see them. Same building. Same hockey team.” He ticked off on his fingers and Cora narrowed her eyes at him.

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