Page 60 of Pucking Strong

I let my question hang in the air between us.

Softening my tone, I close the distance between us. “Look, maybe this is all gonna be great. Maybe Hanna really is as perfect as she seems. God, I hope so. Karro deserves someone with her sweetness to float in here and make every day feel like the best day.”

“Well, if you liked Hanna, then what’s the problem?” he all but shouts.

“My problem is you pushing me aside! You did it this morning with Karro’s toileting care. You did it at breakfast. You did it again by not including me in Hanna’s selection, not even asking my opinion. I mean, we’ve been together every hour of every day for the last two weeks. When did you even get résumés? When did you review them? On the plane? When I was sitting right next to you?”

He dares to shrug, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Well, fuck, Henrik. Next time, bother me! All I was doing was watching reruns ofCharmedon my iPad. Karolina’s care is a little more important than finding out if Cole and Phoebe will ever find their way back to each other!”

He sighs. “I’ve never been any good at this, okay?”

“Good at what?”

“Letting people in. Letting them help me. I’m always the one others rely on.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s crystal fucking clear. That’s why we’re talking about it now. Because I’mhere, Henrik,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time. “It’s my name on those custody papers too. Yours and mine. I’ll defer to you when it comes to Karro’s care, butI’m also gonna demand that I at least get to be part of the process. For as long as I’m here, I’m the first thought. Not the afterthought. Agreed?”

After a moment of deliberation, he nods. “I accept those terms. And I’m sorry, Teddy. Truly.”

“Well … good. Then I accept your apology.”

The last of the tension between us fizzles away.

Looking for any way to salvage the rest of the day, I perk up. “Hey, wanna get dressed and take Karro out for lunch? Then we can swing by the hotel and pick up the rest of my stuff. We’ll all fit in my Subaru.”

His gaze darts down the dark hallway. We both know Karro is sitting safe in bed watching a movie. “I’m not sure I want to move her.”

“Oh, Mr. Karlsson, please?” I bat my lashes like pretty Nurse Hanna. He just rolls his eyes and I laugh. “Come on, man. She’s not made of glass. And this is her first official day in Florida, remember? Worry can wait a few more hours. Let’s go get hot dogs at the beach and show her the pelicans.”

I know he’s weighing my idea against the million and one things he has ricocheting around in his head. He has urgent calls to make. Hot dogs aren’t in his diet. Karro can’t be moved. There are sharks in the ocean. He doesn’t trust my beat-up old Subaru. Suffice it to say, I fully expect him to say no.

Surprising the heck out of me, he nods. “Yeah, okay. Hot dogs at the beach sounds nice.”

“Here.” Henrik turns away from the coffee cart to hand me my orgasm in a cup. It’s my first proper coffee in weeks. I immediately take a sip, savoring the sweet, nutty taste.

“Fuck, that’s good.” My eyes close as I enjoy a second sip.

It’s Monday morning, and the practice center is hopping. Figure skaters fill the lobby, tying their laces and talking excitedly with friends. The little girls look so cute in their ’80s leg warmers and scoop-necked sweatshirts. Over at the bigger rink, the hockey boys are already out on the ice doing drills. The bite of a shrill whistle echoes in the rafters.

Henrik leads the way over to the Rays admin wing and flashes his badge on the access panel. We walk down the long hallway, angling for the elevators. He checks his smartwatch. He’s been doing it every four minutes since we left the apartment.

“Relax,” I say, pressing the elevator Up button. “I’m sure she’s fine.”

Today is the first day Karolina is being left alone with Nurse Hanna, who is still so pretty and perfect, it’s actually a little annoying. Like, she doesn’t have to bethatpretty, right? She could tone it down.

“What’s wrong?” Henrik asks, as we both step into the elevator.

“Nothing.”

I’m jealous of our nanny.

“Something’s wrong,” he mutters, sipping his coffee.

I fake rotating my shoulder. “Just a little tight. I think I slept funny.”

Another lie. They come so easily now. Henrik’s bed is like sleeping on a literal fucking cloud. I’m getting the best sleep of my life.

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