Page 49 of Sticking Out

She lets her gaze rake down the length of me. “Nice polo and khakis. Perfect for a backyard barbecue. It’s almost like you didn’t shower and tug on the first thing you found in your closet.”

I feign offense. “I’ll have you know, I agonized over the look.”

She rolls her eyes at me and walks around me to get to the fridge. “I think Rylee is going to lose her mind when we tell her.”

“Why’s that?”

“She’s been trying to get us together forever.”

“No way.”

She places the salad on the counter, and grabs two water bottles. “I’m not sure she ever really understood Alec and me.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

To be honest, I never really understood it either. His interest in her seemed to come out of nowhere, and if they weren’t having sex, what were they doing? I realize relationships aren’t built on sex. Hell, Dani and I have our friendship, and it’s real, truthful and deep. Although I am hiding a secret, but it’s for her own good.

“I think this is going to make her happy,” she says, her smile dissolving. “I just don’t look forward to telling them the truth. At least they’ll think the baby was created out of love, and that in the end we weren’t compatible. I think that’s the best way to handle it.”

I nod, my stomach tight. “I’ll do whatever you want, Dani.”

She turns from me, and picks up the salad. “Let’s go get this over with.”

We walk outside into the bright sunshine, and I hit the fob on my car. She puts the salad in the back and slides into the passenger seat. Her eyes are on me as I cross the front of the car and get into the driver’s seat. I back out of my driveway and turn to her.

“I was thinking about the cup party,” she says.

“You want to have one?”

She gives a small shake of her head. “I think you should celebrate. I’d love to plan it, Conner.”

“You’re busy enough as it is, and if you get pregnant I don’t want you on your feet and stressing.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m fine.”

“Dani, last time…” I remind her gently.

Her hand reaches out to take mine. “It wasn’t meant to be. I’ve learned that over the years. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again, but believe me, if and when I get pregnant, I’m going to be very, very careful. I really want this.”

“I know you do.” Heck, I want it too. I never even knew how much I wanted it until I warmed to the idea and if our child does have a learning disorder, we’ll figure it out right away so he or she doesn’t have a hard time in school. My heart beats a little faster, and as I look at her, I almost blurt out that I love her. “We’ll get there, Dani,” I tell her quietly and as her small smile wraps around my heart, love and guilt and every other emotion I’ve tried to keep in check for years, presses against the back of my eyes and I nearly fucking sob. I turn from her and concentrate on the road as I work to pull myself together.

“Anyway, I’d like to have a party. I’d love to get Ash and Gina in the same room again.”

I shake my head no. “We are not playing matchmaker.” What the women fail to realize is Ash isn’t who he used to be. He’s not quite the player off the ice anymore. Not since the incident. But it’s not my place to talk about it, or what management is requiring of him.

Ignoring that, she hurries out with, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Lucy passed her training. She’s now a certified therapy dog. I’m so excited for her. I can now take her into the nursing homes. It’s fun for the residents to see different breeds.” I arch a brow and she reads the question in my eyes. “Dachshund.”

I laugh. “Those are the wiener dogs, with the tiny legs.”

“Yes. I’ll have to lift her for the residents to see her, but she’s only tiny. I was thinking about going in next week. Want to come?”

“I’d love to. What day are you thinking? I have kids hockey camp Tuesday and Thursday.”

“Does Wednesday work?

“Yup.” I take in her big smile. She really is so lucky to love what she does and I really hope she can get a dog of her own one of these days. It’s odd that Alec didn’t want a dog. Growing up, he loved our lab, Jersey. Unfortunately, Dani never got to meet her. We were all gutted when we lost her during our elementary school years. Maybe he didn’t want to face that pain again.

Twenty minutes later, I pull up to the bungalow where Dani grew up, just down the street from where I grew up and my parents still live.

---