Page 84 of When Alec Met Evie
Unequivocally no.
Van
You know that’s only going to make us try harder…
CHAPTER 23
EVIE
Confession?I didn’t really plan on doing anything for Juno’s first Halloween. I bought her a very cute Dalmatian puppy sleeper with a hood and floppy dog ears, and I had every intention of putting it on her to take pictures, but I didn’t think I’d take her trick or treating. It’s not likeshe’sgoing to eat any of the candy.
But as soon as I get to the Summit, I have zero regrets about our decision to come. Because the Appies are dressed up as firefighters.
Sexyfirefighters, I might add. Tight black t-shirts, suspenders, firefighter pants and helmets. And what fire squad doesn’t need a Dalmatian puppy? The photo opportunities alone will be worth the effort it took to get Juno ready.
Later, according to the info Alec already gave me, there will be a costume parade down on the ice, but for right now, everyone is gathered in the wide hallway that circles the arena. The space is full of games and snacks and lots of really cute kids holding their parents’ hands as they “trick-or-treat” their way around booths set up by Harvest Hollow businesses.
“Oh my gosh!” Parker says as she crosses the concourse to where I’m standing near the door, Juno propped on my hip. “Did you do this on purpose? You brought us a Dalmatian!”
“It was totally by accident,” I say. “Alec didn’t tell me what the team’s costumes would be.”
Parker pulls her phone out and snaps a photo of Juno. “Seriously. This is the cutest ever. Are you going to let me put her picture on Instagram?Pleasesay yes.”
“You absolutely can,” I say, but I’m only half paying attention to our conversation because I just spottedmysexy firefighter, and he’s walking right toward me.
“Hey,” Alec says as he reaches us. He leans down and presses a lingering kiss to my lips. “I’m glad you’re here,” he says, his gaze fixed on mine. A heady rush of pleasure fills my body, pushing out to my fingertips and down to my toes. I’m still not used to this. I still can’t believe that Alec Sheridan wants to kissmehello.
He holds out his hands, eyebrows raised as he looks at Juno. “May I?” When I nod, he steals her out of my arms and lifts her in the air. “Hey, Junebug.” He smiles a wide, genuine smile. Juno smiles right back—how could she possibly not?—and Parker lifts her phone to take a photo.
“Her costume is perfect,” Alec says. “Can I take her over to say hi to the guys?”
“Of course you can,” I say, my heart practically bursting out of my chest.
He holds Juno close to his chest as he walks across the concourse to where Nathan, Felix, and a few other Appies are standing. I’m not used tothis,either. To Alec showing Juno off to his friends. Wanting to hold her, hang out with her.
“Um, was that just a very casual, very public hello kiss?” Parker asks, eyes gleaming.
I grin. There has beena lotof kissing over the past week in a lot of different locations. Alec’s house. My new house, which he and his teammates helped me move into after the game last weekend. My car. His car. But that actuallywasthe first time we’ve ever kissed in public.
“I love this for you,” Parker says. “And for Alec too. But from one Appies girlfriend to another, stay off the internet. Alec has a big following. People will probably have opinions about you, but they’re only opinions, and they will usually be based on stuff that isn’t true. You just have to ignore it.”
I haven’t given a lot of thought to Alec’s public life, outside of the one Riley-themed rabbit hole Megan and I dove down, mostly because, with Juno, we haven’t really spent any time togetherin public.We mostly just hang out at my place because then Juno can go to bed without needing a sitter. But that won’t always be the case.
“How doyouavoid it?” I say. “Isn’t it your job to follow everything?”
She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Yeah, but I’ve learned which comment sections to avoid.”
Across the concourse, Alec laughs, looking perfectly comfortable with Juno in his arms. Honestly, with her dark hair, she looks like she could be his. When people find out we’re dating, they’ll probably assume she is.
Unsurprisingly, that thought doesn’t bother me in the slightest. But Idowonder if it would bother him.
I look up to see Alec snuggling Juno close, her head dropping onto his shoulder.Hmm.I could be wrong, but I’m guessing it wouldn’t bother Alec either.
“For real, could the man look any more like a dad right now?” Parker says dryly, and I shoot her another grin.
“He’s genuinely so good with her,” I say. “It’s been really nice having someone around to help.”
She holds up her phone. “Okay, be honest. Is this too much of a thirst trap for me to post on the Appies profile?”
