Page 64 of The Cupcake Cottage

He eyed the room. “I didn’t drive my truck today.”

“It’s that crazy?”

“Understatement.” It was flattering but not surprising. The world loved Daisy-Mae almost as much as he did.

He put her on speaker while he sorted a few gifts into a come-home-tonight pile. “How’s your new desk working out?”

“Don’t laugh, but I’m actually working on the couch.” Before he could say he’d told her so, she said quickly, “But it’s only because I keep getting deliveries here, too. The couch is closer to the door.”

“And awesome to work from,” he pointed out.

“The desk is okay, but it feels…I don’t know. Formal.”

“Are you going to work from home more often?”

“The commute has lost its thrill. Especially since I’m no longer sharing it with Violet.”

“I hear you.” And it would be even less thrilling once they started a family. But he couldn’t see either of them living in the city permanently. He’d only been back in the country for a few months but had no plans to leave. “So, what are you gonna do?”

“Miranda said I can try working from home until it settles down a bit. So here I am, I guess. Then I was thinking if I can swing it financially, Vi and I can get a little holiday trailer for in the city. Although she doesn’t sound as keen as she did a few weeks ago.”

With Violet? What about him?

“A holiday trailer?” He envisioned it parked behind the arena, sort of like trailers for actors when they were working on location.

“Just something simple and cute. Not one of those big monstrosities. You can get an old one for pretty cheap, and then you park them in a campground and pay a monthly rate—”

“No.” He almost laughed, but over the years he’d figured out Daisy-Mae worked a lot of jobs, not for a lack of things to do. She wasn’t raking in millions of dollars a year like he was. “You’re the fiancée of an NHL star. You’re almost a celebrity.”He wondered if that warm gooey feeling in his chest whenever he thought of her as his fiancée would ever fade. He hoped not. He peeked through the blinds again. “We’ll get an apartment close by.” Another car pulled up, and a cameraman got out. “With a doorman.”

She laughed. “I can’t suddenly afford a nice place just because I’m engaged to you.”

“We need to protect your privacy. These reporters are here for you.”

“Because you made them think I’m pregnant!”

“Sorry about that.” He cringed, knowing his mouth had gotten way ahead of any plans they had.

This morning he’d read the speculation online about how far along she might be. The two of them were getting press like he’d predicted. Just not quite the kind they’d wanted. Although overall, everyone seemed excited by the idea that she might be expecting. One article had even run a poll on some possible baby names. Personally, he was rooting for Brayton if it was a boy.

“Leo was saying there’s an opening in his building. I’ll check it out.”

“This job is my only income stream, Mav. If I screw up—”

“What are you talking about? You won’t screw up.”

“But if I do…”

“Won’t happen.”

“What if all my ideas dry up? I mean, once we have this fan stuff all working, it’s just rinse and repeat…” Sadness filled her voice. “What will they need me for? I haven’t even been to college. I’d be the first to get the ax when they’re looking to trim my department.”

Maverick paused, considering his words before deciding to simply be blunt. “Are you freaking out?”

“No!”

“Come on, Froggy.”

She sighed at the nickname.

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