Page 104 of Last Fall

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ERIK

They’re Going to Stare at us Like Tourists Visiting the Gorilla Exhibit attheZoo

Three daysin Detroit followed by three more in Toronto sealed our slot in the playoffs and gave us home field advantage. These last six home games were essentially just practice and preparation for what was to come—our first real shot at a title in over adecade.

So of course Eve planned a victory family dinner for Monday afternoon before the game. It was the very first time Zoe and I were attending a function with our friends as acouple.

She wasnervous.

“Hey.”

My blood roared at the sight of a flustered Zoe in a sundress, clutching her purse. Her big green eyes looking to me for the answers she needed. Lucky for me her moods seemed to trigger mine and I was already in full-on caveman mode, wanting to protect her and make these doubtsdisappear.

I knew after last night she’d be rattled today and I considered it my personal mission to make her feel as safe as I possibly could. “Come here, Darlin’.” She moved in front of me and her skirt tickled my bare knees. “You lookbeautiful.”

She blushed at the compliment, something that made my dick twitch every single time. “Thank you.” Then she smiled up at me. “You ready to face the firingsquad?”

“It won’t be that bad.” At least I didn’t think itwouldbe.

“Are you kidding? All I’ve gotten this week are questions. They’re going to stare at us like tourists visiting the gorilla exhibit atthezoo.”

I had to laugh at that. “How long did it take you to come up withthatone?”

“No time at all. It’s how I already feel. I had dinner with Eve and the girls on Thursday and the whole time it wasWill you hold hands? Will you kiss in front of us? Will you leave together?Ugh. I hateattention.”

I took her hand. “The answer is yes to all of the above. And I’m sorry about the attention but it’s just our friends being happy for us and it won’t last long. Maybe not even all night.” I’d make sureofit.

She relaxed a little. “Then you better kiss me and get me inside before I changemymind.”

She didn’t need to ask me twice. I pulled her against my body keeping one hand on her hip while I cupped the back of her neck with the other, kissing her long and deep. Slow enough so that she could process every way I made her feel and deep enough to remind her where we were headed as soon as dinnerwasdone.

“You sure know how to kiss,” she murmured, eyes stillclosed.

“You ready?” I ran my thumb over hercheek.

“As I’ll ever be. Remind me that they’re my friends and theyloveme.”

“Babe.” Her eyes fully opened. She loved endearments. I thought all of the nicknames in her books were just a writer thing but nope. Zoe loved the affection ofbabe, darlin’, gorgeous,and all the rest. “They love you way more than they love me and no matter what, they’ll be by your side. That’s how this baseball family of oursworks.”

She nodded once. “Let’s go. Before I lose mynerve.”

My heart thumped harder in my chest. I wasn’t nervous like she was. Just excited. I took her hand and we walked up to the front door. We were the last two to arrive so we didn’tknock.

She surprised me by only pausing long enough for me to close the door, then it was a march to the kitchen with her in the lead. When we stepped inside I kind of expected screaming and excitement but everyone was so caught up in their own conversations no one noticed us at all. Eve and Marie stood over a half open bottle of wine talking. Their hands were moving faster than their mouths. Whatever that was about had them pretty damn excited. Jake and Roman were slicing some kind of beef on the far counter. Greg and Wes were cracking jokes in the corner—never good for the rest of us—and June and Carrie sat at the end of the counter, heads together,talking.

I cleared my throat. “Hello?”

Eight heads snapped our way. Zoe’s hand tightenedaroundmine.

“You’re here!” June yelled. “Really here! Togetheratlast!”

Zoe held up our entwined hands. “Look. Stare. Poke us if you must, but get it out of your systems now.Please.”

“You make this ugly bastard less ugly just by standing next to him, Zoe,” Wes offered, clearly pleased withhimself.

Carrie smacked the back of his head. “Congrats you two. We’re all very happyforyou.”

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