Page 104 of Dancing in the Rain

Concern tightened her chest. “You do want that, right?”

“Of course I do. I just don’t know…I haven’t figured out what it is yet.”

“Well, that’s what this Jack guy can help you with…right?”

“I guess. I feel like such a fucking loser.”

“No. God, no.” She touched his face with her fingertips. “This has really been getting to you, hasn’t it?”

He didn’t respond. Probably saw it as a sign of weakness, the big tough hockey dude. “I know I may not have had the best impression of you when we first met,” she said softly. “But I’ve gotten to know you, Drew Sellers. I never knew you when you were a hockey player, but the man I’ve come to know is a good man…strong, loyal, intense, and committed. Fearless.”

His jaw tightened. Then he let out a long breath. “It’s been better lately. I have been feeling like I have a reason to get up in the morning. That I am contributing. Because of Chloe. And…you.”

Her heart swelled. “I’ve kind of been feeling that way about you…I mean, I had plenty of reasons to get up in the mornings…but sometimes I just didn’t want to face the day lately. You’ve made it easier.”

He opened his eyes and they blazed at her. The heated connection stretched out. “Good,” he finally said in a hoarse whisper.

Peyton glanced at the clock beside her bed. “Holy shit! We have to get up and get dressed.”

They both scrambled out of bed. So much for afterglow. He disappeared into the bathroom to get rid of the condom while she yanked on her yoga pants and T-shirt.

They had just made it to the kitchen when Chloe walked in the front door. Her eyes lit up at seeing Drew, but then she shuttered them with tweenage disinterest, apparently not surprised to see him there. “Oh, hey, Drew.”

Peyton exchanged an amused glance with him.

Chloe opened the fridge and peered inside. “Do you think you could buy some Coke, Auntie P?”

“No.”

Chloe shot her a frown over her shoulder. “Why not?”

“Because your mom didn’t want you drinking pop. It’s liquid death.”

“Oh, my God, it is not. Everyone drinks it.”

Peyton just smiled. “Right. Everyone in the world. Have a glass of milk.”

Chloe sighed and pulled out the milk carton. “Can I have a snack?”

“How about some crackers and cheese?”

“I’dlike some crackers and cheese,” Drew said, rubbing his flat abdomen.

Peyton moved to the cupboard and pulled out a box of crackers, still smiling. “All righty then.”

After they’d all munched and Chloe had minimally updated them on her day, she went up to her room.

“She’ll talk more later.” Peyton wrapped up the block of cheese. “It usually comes out when nobody’s interrogating her.”

Drew laughed. “Okay, I better go. I’m coming back tomorrow, though.”

She tipped her head to one side as she opened the fridge. “Yeah? Why?”

“I noticed that your headboard on your bed is loose. I better fix that for you.”

She bit her lip, eyeing him up through her eyelashes. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

—

---