Page 37 of Rainbow Kisses

I held a fresh bag of ice to my jaw and a can of soda in the other hand. Rain held a mug of hot chocolate with enough sugar in it to keep her up all night. Then again, both the girls had had the same hot chocolate, and they were out cold.

“Did you secretly spike their cocoa with something to make them sleep? I didn’t think they’d ever shut off.”

Rain chuckled and took another sip. “You sure you don’t want some? I make a killer hot cocoa. Just ask the girls.”

“I’m not sure I’d be able to fall asleep tonight if I drank that. And I’ve got a game tomorrow. You sure it’s okay they stay tonight?”

“Of course.” She waved my doubts away. “Krista spends nights here all the time. Unless you’re worried about?—”

“No.” I shook my head. “Not worried. Not at all. I just know you have to work tomorrow too.”

She shrugged. “I like having them here. Krista is like a little ball of bright light. Always glowing. I’ll take them into town for breakfast at the bakery then drop Maddy off after that. If that works for you?”

“That’s fine. I’m just surprised.”

Honestly, I was kind of shocked Maddy had wanted to stay. Then again, maybe she needed a break from me. It’d been anintense week, with moving and starting a new school and all the shit that went with that. I couldn’t blame her for wanting a night off.

“She seemed to have a good time at the game,” Rain said, then covered a yawn with her hand. “Sorry. It’s not the company.”

“I should go.”

I didn’t want to though. I wanted to stay and talk to Rain. Hell, we didn’t even have to talk. I’d be happy to just sit and stare at her. But that would be creepy and weird, wouldn’t it?

“No. Please stay. Just for a little.”

She reached across the cushion and touched my arm, her fingers sweeping across the bare skin on the inside of my wrist. Heat spread from that point of contact, traveling through my body like quicksilver, and my gaze fixated on her hand. And then I started to imagine what her hand would feel like on the rest of my body.

Several long seconds passed before her fingers twitched, and she pulled her hand away.

“I know there are a couple of games on. My Leafs are playing tonight in Calgary.”

Our gazes met again, and I grinned. “Still hoping for a miracle, huh?”

“It’s gonna be their year,” she said, optimism in her smile. “I can feel it.”

I laughed because the Leafs hadn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. But Leafs’ fans began every year with the same hope.

“Said like a true fan. At least Ovechkin got a ring so I’m good for a few years.”

“Still a Caps fan, huh?”

“Always and forever.” Her smile made me nod. “Yeah, I can watch the Leafs get their asses kicked.”

Her nose wrinkled just before she threw her napkin at me. It barely made it halfway across the cushion. “Like to make a little wager on that?”

“Sure.”

“If the Leafs win, you owe me dinner.”

“And when they lose?”

She shrugged. “I’ll buy you dinner.”

“You’re on.”

No way in hell I was turning down that bet. I won either way.

TEN

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