Page 47 of What If I See You

“Was it nice at least? Did you get any good pictures?”

Uh…fuck.

We need to take some pictures.

“Yeah. I took a few. I’ll show them to you when we see you guys. I’ll even bring you copies.”

“Love has a way of making you do crazy things, I suppose,” she says with a sigh. “Alright you’re forgiven. As long as you’re happy, we’re happy. But we’re going to have to talk about doing something for you guys to celebrate. Maybe a small party or reception or something.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Yeah, we can talk about all that. I’m sure Layken wouldn’t mind and maybe her family will want to celebrate too.”

“Have you met them yet? Layken’s family?”

“Not yet, no. I know her father is a family court judge here in Anaheim and keeps a pretty busy schedule but also,” I lower my voice even though I’m in my car and all alone, “Layken’s family isn’t like ours. She’s not as close with her parents and I get the impression that her parents are pretty cold with her. At least that’s what I gathered hearing her talk to her mom on the phone.”

“Oh nooooo.” The empathy in my mom’s voice is sincere. “Well, you bring that sweet thing home to us and we’ll love on her as if she’s our own.”

“I knew you would say that Mom. That’s why I love you so much. And I want to come talk with Gage, and I want you all to meet Layken of course. She’s so excited to meet you guys too. I talk about you every day. We have a string of away games coming up in a couple weeks so we’re not going to be around much, but I’m off on Thursday. Can we come visit? Maybe have dinner?”

“I think that would be nice,” she says. I can tell she’s grinning. I don’t visit during the season as much as I probably should. I don’t like to bring all the germs to Gage when I’ve been traveling a lot and when I have down time, I’m usually trying to rest as much as possible. “I’ll make your favorite.”

“I was hoping you would say that. I’ve had a lot of lasagna in my days traveling with the team but I have yet to taste anything better than yours, Mom.”

When I step inside my apartment I smile at the sight in front of me. Layken is seated on the couch, her legs bent and supporting her laptop on her knees so she can type. Her long golden hair is tied up on the top of her head in one of those messy but cute as fuck top knot things. She’s sporting her black rimmed glasses and is holding a pencil in her mouth as she works.

“Wow,” I say, shutting the door behind me and dropping my duffel on the floor. “Do you always look so comfy when you work?”

“Mmm.” That’s the only answer I get from her. She’s laser focused on the words in front of her and then suddenly her brows crinkle and she cocks her head. “Hmm.” She looks up as if she’s trying to picture something and then she sees me in the doorway and her eyes light up. “Oh! You’re home!”

A soft laugh escapes me. “I am. I’ve been standing here talking to you. Did you not hear me come in?”

“Uh, no. I guess I didn’t, but I’m so glad you’re here! I need your help.” I watch her untangle herself from her comfortable position and set her laptop down and then she’s in front of me taking me by the hand and leading me down the hall.

“Okay. Where are we going?”

“To a doorway.”

“A doorway?”

“Mhmm. Here.” She stops in her bedroom doorway and then places her hands on my waist.

Oh hello…

“I need you pose for me. I need to see what this looks like so I can write it out correctly.”

“Oh, uh. Okay. Pose how?” I lift my arm and flex my bicep. “Like you’re coming to the gun show?”

She deadpans and shakes her head. “No. Gun shows aren’t sexy unless I’m on my back looking at them hovering above me.”

Noted.

“Oh. Alright tell me what to do.”

“Okay so first of all, I need you to put your left arm up here, near the top corner of the door, and lean on that hand.”

I follow her instructions and place my hand near the top of the door, my leg instinctively crossing over my other in a casual leaning stance. “Like this?”

She studies my posture, her lips twisting to the side. It’s fucking adorable and if I’m being honest with myself, it’s making me feel some sort of way that she’s even looking at me at all. “Yeah like that except uncross your legs and act natural.”

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