Page 163 of The Husband Game

He leaned in. “Still, it’s good work. And I like the way you described it in the video tour. You made it accessible to people who might not know a lot about the history.”

There was something sweetly earnest about Dustin’s dad. And the fact he’d searched out Charlie’s social media and made sure to comment on it was … awfully endearing.

Charlie smiled. Now he knew where Dustin got that from.

“Well thank you,” Charlie said warmly. “I do love my work. And that was a great project to be a part of. I learned so much. I’m curious, Theo, are you a design buff too, like Meredith?”

He shrugged, losing a little of the stiffness he’d had earlier. “More on the architecture side of things but yeah. Honestly, between the two of us, we’ve never met a mid-century mod piece of furniture we could resist.”

Charlie laughed. “They’re getting harder to come by, unfortunately. And the quality of reproductions isn’t what it used to be. I’ve been trying to find a new desk for Dustin’s study but that’s been a nightmare to source. I need to find some more local artisans to connect with. Oh, that reminds me, Dustin. Do you have a way to contact Noah Boucher’s boyfriend? Or … I guess they’re married now so his husband, Simon Lawrence. I have a vague recollection of meeting Simon in Vegas and talking to him about art. I’ve been meaning to contact him and I keep forgetting.”

Dustin looked a little surprised but he nodded. “Sure. I can get his number from Noah for you, kitten.”

“Thanks.” Charlie stretched up to kiss Dustin’s cheek.

Dustin squeezed his hip.

“I’ve gotta go and start the pre-game routine,” he said with a glance at the nearby clock. “You know the drill.”

“Go, go,” his mom said. “Good luck tonight, sweetie. And thanks for finally letting us meet your amazing husband.”

“Mommm,” Dustin said and he sounded so much like a kid complaining his parents were embarrassing that Charlie laughed.

“Yeah, why were you keeping us apart?” Charlie teased, elbowing Dustin in the side. “Afraid I’d hear all of your awkward stories?”

Emily, who’d been surprisingly quiet through most of the conversation, grinned at Charlie. “Oh, don’t worry, I have a whole bunch saved up to tell you during the game.”

“Perfect.” Charlie grinned back and Dustin rolled his eyes at both of them.

Dustin hugged his family goodbye but when he stepped in front of Charlie, he cupped his cheek. “Kiss for good luck?”

“Is this something I’m going to have to do before every home game if you play well tonight?” Charlie teased.

“Probably.” Dustin grinned. “Any objections?”

“Nope.” Charlie looped his arms around Dustin’s neck and pressed a kiss to his lips, keeping it light for the sake of Dustin’s family nearby.

But Dustin clearly wanted none of that. He gave Charlie a deep kiss he felt all the way down to his toes.

When he finally drew back, Charlie felt a little dazed and a lot turned on.

“Good luck, darling.” He sounded a little breathless.

“I’ve got you, kitten. That’s all the luck I need,” Dustin said with a smile. “Enjoy the game, everyone.”

He squeezed Charlie’s hips, then let go, striding away, off to do whatever mysterious things hockey players did before games.

Charlie turned back to face Dustin’s family, touching his fingers to his lips, a little embarrassed. “Good thing this formula is transfer-proof or Dustin might be the first NHL player to wear lipstick during a game.”

Emily laughed.

“Goodness. You two are sweet.” Meredith gave Charlie a soft look. “Whirlwind marriage or not, I completely understand why you fell so hard for each other.”

And well, there wasn’t much Charlie could say to that.

* * *

When Dustin hit the ice for warmups, he was still flying high on how well things had gone between Charlie and his parents.

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