Page 6 of The Road Trip Romance

He grimaces. “I’m sorry. I…should have called first, but Carol only got your address, not your phone number. I sent an email earlier today but maybe it went to your spam?”

Well, well, well, I guess Marti is in for the shock of her life, as soon as I jump-start my own heart. So much for just wanting an autographed copy of my book.

Cal rushes down the stairs. “Found it!” He stops in his tracks mid-step, maybe even more shocked than I am. “Mom?” he asks. “Why is Tate Anders here?”

I look from Cal to Tate and back to Cal. “That’s an excellent question, Cal.” I turn to Tate. “Uh, whyareyou here?” I ask. Then, I give my head a little shake. Where the fuck have my manners gone? “Sorry, please come in. Pardon the mess. We are just heading out to hockey practice, well, hockey camp.”

“Oh?” His eyes light up. “You play hockey?” he asks Cal.

“Yep. It’s OK. I’m more into baseball, but Lizzie loves hockey,” he explains.

“Give me my…” Lizzie comes bounding down the stairs and runs into Cal. Seriously, are my kids ninjas? How did they both get upstairs when grabbing the garage door opener only took me five seconds. I watch her open her mouth to yell at him and then her gaze lands on Tate. Her eyes widen. “Harkin Rowan!” she exclaims, saying one of his characters’ names.

I glance back to Tate who smiles warmly at her. “I do play Harkin in the movies. You must be Lizzie?” he asks.

Her mouth falls open and she nods.

“I’m sorry, but we have to go. We’re already late and it’s the first night. You know how the first time is, right? They are excited and Lizzie’s nervous,” I fumble over my words trying to explain.

“I am not!” Lizzie yells.

“I need to get them in the car. What can I do you for?” I ask and immediately I feel my cheeks heat.You know how the first time is? What can I do you for? The innuendos are endless. What am I even saying here?

Tate chuckles and runs his hand through that thick dark hair.Fuck me! I mean really, fuck me. What it must be like to be fucked by that man. Oh my God! Why am I thinking about that?I feel the heat intensify in my cheeks.

“I know this probably sounds crazy. I…had sort of a crazy bad week and I have been wanting to talk to you about your book and just needed to get away. So, I maybe sort of hopped on a plane and came out here to talk to you,” he says, his words coming out in a rush.

My eyes widen.

“You read my mom’s book!” Cal asks from behind me.

“I did read one of them and I loved it,” he admits. This time it’shischeeks that pinken.

“Mom? We’re going to be late. Coach Lester is gonna be so mad,” Lizzie pouts.

“I…uh…do you want to come with us? We can chat while the kids do whatever they are going to do,” I suggest. I just invited the world’s biggest movie star to a little kids’ hockey camp. I couldn’t make up this meet-cute if I tried.

“Sure. That sounds like fun. I mean, if you don’t mind me tagging along,” he replies.

Cal hoots and I turn to find him fist-pumping. “Yes! My friends are gonna be so jealous,” he says happily as he continues down the stairs. “Where’s the garage door opener? I can open it for you.”

I look around and point to where it landed. He frowns but walks over and grabs it before hurrying out the door. Lizzie walks down and stands in front of Tate. “You’re tall,” she says, raising an eyebrow as she takes in his height. She’s not wrong. And my heart gives a little flutter looking at my petite daughter standing next to the behemoth of a man.

His grin spreads across his face. “You’re short. I have a feeling you are very good at hockey. Like a secret weapon the other team doesn’t see coming,” he states as he looks down at her.

Her giggle erupts as she turns to go to the inside garage door. “You’re funny, Mr. Tate,” she says as she turns the corner, leaving me alone with him.

“Your kids are adorable,” he says quietly.

“Thank you, Mr. Anders,” I reply.

“Tate, please call me Tate.”

I swallow as I look up into those famous eyes. You really could get lost in them.

“Mom!” Cal’s voice comes from the garage.

“I’ll pull out front. You can meet there, if you can just close the door behind you, that would be great,” I say as I turn and head to the car.

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