Page 132 of Waiting Game

“Yeah, life often does.”

We walk outside and her bodyguards split off, moving around her as they check for…well, whatever Liam pays them to check for.

“I swear if he ever wonders whether I love him, I’ll point to the gorillas and tell him I only put up with this bullshit because of him.”

My lips curve. “Ain’t love grand, G?”

She shoots me a goofy-for-Gracie smile. “Yeah, it is.”

I wink at her as she splits off toward Liam’s car. “See you tomorrow, little bit.”

She waves as she jumps into the back seat. “You will.”

As I head for my own vehicle, Burrows’s waiting with the trunk open, clearly having seen what I’m carrying.

Five minutes later, we’re on the road. Mum calls, keeping me company for a good chunk of the journey before she tells me she’s off to bed.

Great timing seeing as we’re almost at the bar.

I rub my hands together.

God, I can’t wait to see my girl.

CHAPTER 25

MIA

Lifeboats - Snow Patrol

When a fancy towncar parks outside the bar, I know it’s Cole’s ride without even seeing the make or model.

I go to the door and unlock it so I can let him in, but before he walks over to Chuck’s, he stops at the trunk and pulls a bunch of bags out.

My eyes widen as I holler at him, “I told you not to!”

“What made you think I was a guy who did as he's told?” he hollers back.

My lips twitch when he walks toward me with four trash bags, but it’s his outfit that has me smiling outright.

I’m pretty sure he gets dressed in the dark, but there’s no denying I dig his vibe.

“Love the shirt,” I inform him, watching as he preens.

“Knew you’d be awesome enough to like Taylor Swift, beautiful,” he informs me as, ducking down, he presses a kiss to my forehead before shoving me into the bar.

He’s still beaming from my compliment, which is hella cute.

Rustling sounds follow as he dumps his loot, then, having seen the place is closed with all the stools on the tables, turns to lock up behind him.

“What did you do?” I mutter as I stare at the bulging bags.

“I got you some shit.”

“Literal shit?” I tease.

He winks at me. “For a non-hockey fan, it might very well be.”

That has me snorting as I drop to my knees and pull out the goodies he’s brought with him.

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