Page 69 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

Slipping a plate in front of me and Scarlett, the two of us immediately dig in.

“Hey! It’s polite to wait for everyone to be seated before you start eating.” David crosses his arms over his chest and glares at us.

“He’s grumpy too,” I murmur leaning over toward Scarlett.

“He’s always grumpy before his coffee,” she whispers.

“Sitting right here you two.” He scowls at us, but his eyes are twinkling. Scrunching my face I look at Scarlett and chuckle. “So what did you and Duncan do last night?”

As I pin David with my gaze, my eyes widen to the size of saucers. A smug look is resting on his face as he innocently takes a bite of his bacon.

“We ordered take out from Rocco’s and then watched a movie,” I murmur, picking up my orange juice and sipping.

“Did Uncle Dunky make you watchThe Zamboni Kiss?” Scarlett asks, the corner of her lips lift up but she doesn’t stop coloring. “He makes me watch it all the time.”

David nearly spits out his coffee, and I narrow my eyes as the corner of my lips pulls up. “He said it used to beyourfavorite?” The question starting to form in my mind has my entire body humming.

“When I was like five,” she huffs, and rolls her eyes. “But I think he just really likes watching you.”

My fork stops mid-air and my mouth hangs open. All the butterflies in my stomach take that moment to flap their wings. Swallowing hard I ask. “Why do you think that?”

Scarlett puts down her crayon, and examines my face. Her eyes scrutinize me in a way that is too wise for her young age. She finally lands on a look that saysyou can’t be that dumb. Dropping my arm and leaning it on the table, my lip quirks.

“Cause he’s in love with you.” My eyes bug out of my face and my pounding heart moves through me like a ground-shaking rumble. Grinning, she shifts her gaze to David. “Right, Daddy?”

My eyes whip to David only to have him shrug noncommittally and continue scooping eggs in his mouth. But he never takes his eyes from mine.

The pounding is now a thundering mass of buffalo running full speed around my entire body. Eyes wide open, I watch Scarlett pick up the project she’s been working on and hold it close to her chest. A mischievous glint fills her hazel eyes before turning the paper around for me to see the image she’s drawn.

My heart skips a beat before my stomach swoops at what she drew: A pink heart with the initials DJ & AN written in black block letters.

Heat creeps up my face, my cheeks tug up, and a sheepish grin rests on my face. Pushing my eggs back and forth, I feel David’s and Scarlett’s eyes on me. I feel like a schoolgirl whose crush just found her doodles in her notebook.

Duncan’s in love with me.

“See, Daddy! I told you she loves Uncle Dunky.”

The grin on my face widens. When I look up, I shrug a shoulder and bite my lip.

“Fiona always claimed you did,” David says softly, nudging my elbow. “I didn’t believe it until I saw the sparks fly this time.”

Chewing on a piece of bacon I smirk. “My sister always was pretty smart, wasn’t she?”

“Definitely,” David smiles, a slight hint of sadness lingers in his eyes before a massive smile slides across his face. “She’d be happy for the two of you, A.”

“Let’s not count our eggs before they hatch, shall we?” I say pushing my food around. “Duncan and I still need to talk.”

“With your lips?” Scarlett’s face lights up and I laugh remembering her newest crush.

“You’ve been talking an awful lot about kissing, Scarlett…is there something you want to tell me?” David asks his daughter. The flaming shade of red that covers her face tells it all, and his expression is priceless. He’s trying to act calm, but his eyes have an underlying look of terror.

When his panicked gaze flies to mine, I shrug one shoulder, take a bite of my bacon, and smirk, grateful the focus is off my crush and me.

***

All of us are wearing Duncan’s jersey as we make our way to our seats. The music blares, blades shred up the ice and cracking sounds of sticks slapping the puck multiple times fill the air as the players warm up. Scarlett has been talking non-stop since we left the house about why this game is essential for the Wolverines.

I wish I could say I’ve been paying attention, but most of my yesses and nods were place fillers. My sole focus is on what happensafterthe game. Because regardless of the outcome of the game, I hope Duncan feels like a winner.

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