Page 52 of Laugh

Kicking her door shut behind me, I set the flowers on her table and follow her. “Baby, relax. We didn’t have plans. I wanted to surprise you and talk to you about something.”

Her shoulders droop, relieved, but then tense up again. “Talk about something? Nothing bad, right?”

Pulling her phone from her hand and tossing it to the couch, I drag her into my arms to hold her. “Nah, nothing bad. How’s your day been? Sorry I couldn’t make it to your meeting with the guys.”

I feel her slender arms wrap around my waist as she sets her chin on my chest to gaze up at me. “Today has been good. Busy, but good. I’ve just been writing tonight, so I’m glad you came over because this story is giving me problems.”

“Problems, huh? Want to talk it out?” I ask after pressing my lips to hers. I plan on doing more of that in a few minutes, but right now I’m happy just to talk with her.

Snickering, she shakes her head. “Not yet. I’ll definitely come to you if I change my mind, though. That reminds me,” she says as she pulls away from me. I instantly want her back in my arms. “I just got my proofs in forCrisp This. I ordered an extra one so you can have the first peek at how a cucumber fucks a raspberry.”

Studying the cover, I laugh when I see that it’s simply an actual cucumber and raspberry on the cover. It has a white background, and ‘Crisp This’ written in bright yellow lettering. “Fancy,” I tease her, opening the book and flipping through the pages. It’s not very long, which was expected. Haddie told me they’re short stories. I just didn’t realize she also had them in physical copies as well. “I didn’t know you offered them in paperback,” I tell her.

“Oh, yeah, I do. They’re cheap because they’re so little. I try to offer them in box sets so people can order them all at once.” Taking my hand, she pulls me into the second bedroom of her apartment that I haven’t explored yet. The set up she’s got in here shocks me.

“Holy shit, you have a fucking library in here!”

Jabbing her elbow in my side, she grins, and then walks us over to one of the two walls that contain floor to ceiling built-in shelves. “Iama librarian. These are mine,” she says, point out a long line of white books set directly center on display. “Marcus and Addie helped me build all these shelves and mounted them on the walls. It took a few tries because the first couple of times, we may have over imbibed with the wine, and they came out crooked.”

She looks around the room with a look of pride written all over her face.

“This is really incredible, Happy. I love that you’ve found something you’re so passionate about.”

Blowing out a pleased breath, she says, “Like how you found coaching. I’m sure you loved playing, but I can tell that you’re passionate about the job you have with the team. Thank you for letting me be a part of that.”

Cupping her cheek, I turn her face so I can kiss her better this time. The moment grows heated pretty quickly. When I let out a groan as I pull away, she pouts in disappointment that I’ve ended this before we get any further.

“We’ll go back to that in a minute, but I want to ask you something.”

“Did you want to ask if I noticed the flowers you brought in here? Because I did and I really want to go smell them. Ialsonoticed that you included a vase this time. I can take a hint,” she teases, then jumps up on her toes to wrap her arms around my neck, planting a fast kiss on my chin. “Thank you for them. They looked gorgeous.”

Chuckling, I kiss her back hard and fast. “You’re welcome, happy girl, but no, that’s not what I was talking about. So, you know how we were going to get together tomorrow night?”

“Yes… do you need to reschedule?” She asks this cautiously, but I can see her trying to hide her disappointment that I might be here to cancel on her.

“No, we’re definitely on for tomorrow. But would you be willing to change up the plans a little? My parents invited us over for dinner. Mom really wants to meet you, and I’d love for you to get to know her as well.”

Her face falls, and I know it’s because of that first meeting with my dad, so I’m quick to reassure her. “I know my dad was an ass, and I can’t promise he won’t be one tomorrow. But Ididplan for reinforcements before I proposed the idea. Jensen and Addie already agreed to come along. I figured having an ally in your corner would make you more comfortable.”

I’m nervous as she worries her lip. Maybe I was wrong thinking that she’d be up for it, especially after our last family dinner went so terribly.

“I’d love to meet her. I’m really nervous though, because I’m positive your dad hates me.”

“My dad doesn’t hate anyone; I just don’t think he actuallylikesanyone either except for my mom.” It’s probably a terrible thing to say right now, but it’s the truth.

Haddie scowls at me. “That’s absurd. He likesyou.”

Snorting, I shake my head. “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t, but I’m his only kid, so he tolerates me.”

“I don’t like that,” she says softly, frowning up at me.

Bending down so I’m eye level with her, I admit, “I don’t like the sad face you’ve got going on, so I’m going to fix it.”

Her eyes light up. “What are you going to do?”

Laughing, I bend even further to hike her over my shoulder and take us out of her personal library and toward her bedroom.

“I’m going to show you all the things I can do with my tongue.”

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