Page 36 of Sven

“Oh . . . Ummm, I feel good, I guess.”

She just cocked her head like he needed to elaborate on it. Well, if he was going to be a good father, he needed to get used to talking about this kind of stuff.

“I mean, I’m relieved she’s mine. I mean, I knew it, but at least if Stacie ever comes back, she can’t just take her away. So, that’s good.”

“Yeah,” Natalie agreed as she set her book down and took another grape. “That’s gotta be a relief.”

He let out a sigh. “It is. I just want to do this right. Ya know what I mean?”

“Well, from everything I can see, I think you’re doing a great job.”

Again, she said it like it was nothing. Like telling him he was doing a great job at something that wasn’t hockey was anything he’d ever heard before.

“Thank you,” he said, trying to convey exactly how grateful he was.

“No need to thank me. I can see how much you care about her. She’s doing really well.”

Why did he feel like crying? What the fuck was happening?

He cleared his throat. “I know it’s not football or anything, but do you want to watch a game with me?—or I’m sorry, you don’t have to hang out with me. You probably have other things you’d like to be doing, people you’d like to see. I’m here for the night, so no need to hang around.”

She smiled, and something in him calmed. “I’d like to watch a game with you. I figure if I’m working for a professional hockey player, I should know something about the game ... Plus, I don’t really have any friends besides Sydney in the area, so it might be nice.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. Fuck, he would not flirt with her, even though everything in him was screaming at him to tell her he would be areallygood friend to her. No. She was his nanny. And if he was being honest with himself, he could use a friend right now, too.

“Well, why don’t I order some food, and we can watch a game?”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Do you like Thai?”

A big smile spread across her face, and the tension he’d been carrying fell away. “Thai’s my favorite.”

“What do you want?” he asked as he got his phone out.

“Oh, umm, Pad Thai and an egg roll. I can Venmo you money. How much is it?” she asked, reaching for hers.

He just looked at her. “I got dinner. Friends, right?”

There it was again. That smile.

“Yeah, friends.”

Before long, Winnie was up, and Sven was on the floor playing with her. They ate and played with Winnie while Sven explained the basics of the game. He could get used to this.

15

Natalie

Natalie tightened her laces as Sven skated over to her. It was the Magic family skate, and all the big men and beautiful women skated effortlessly across the ice. Her skating would not be quite as effortless.

“I’m so glad you guys came. Hey there, sweet girl,” he said as he bent down to take Winnie out of the carrier. “See ya out there.” He then skated off with the baby.

She was glad he had her because she hadn’t been on skates since she was a kid. She hoped she wouldn’t make too much of a fool out of herself.

“Hi,” said a girl with purple hair, who came to sit next to her to put her own skates on.

“Hi,” Natalie answered with her own friendly smile.

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