Page 60 of The Husband Game

Charlie gave a wistful sigh as he finished photographing the cake. “It’s almost too pretty to eat.”

“The same could be said about you,” Dustin said with a smile. “Except, that would be a crime because you’re far too delicious to resist.”

Charlie’s lips parted but nothing came out.

Smiling, Dustin took a small forkful of the dessert and lifted it to Charlie’s lips.

“Since we didn’t get a wedding cake,” he murmured.

“Oh.” Charlie’s lashes fluttered as he daintily took the bite, his tongue peeping out to lick his lips. He let out a breathy sigh after. “That is …”

Dustin went to take a bite himself, but Charlie shook his head. “Oh no. I believe I’m supposed to be feeding you too, darling. That’s tradition, right?”

Dustin nodded. “Of course.”

He took a showy bite, being sure to tease Charlie as he released the fork slowly. But when Dustin actually focused on the food, he let out a quiet moan of appreciation that wasn’t feigned at all.

“You weren’t kidding. That’s incredible.”

After trading a few bites back and forth, Charlie held up a hand. “Honestly, I can’t do anymore. You finish, please.”

Dustin did, though he did coax Charlie into having a bite of the macaroon and salted caramel chocolate.

“You are going to have to roll me home,” Charlie said with a sigh as he drained the last of his second glass of Prosecco.

“Why don’t we take a walk after this?” Dustin impulsively suggested. “Enjoy the weather. There’s a park not far from here and I don’t have anywhere else I have to be.”

Charlie gave him a small smile. “Yeah. Okay. That sounds nice.”

A Sweet Treat of a Date for Fowler and Monaghan

After confirming their whirlwind marriage in Las Vegas at the end of June, Toronto Fisher Cats Captain Dustin Fowler and former figure skater Charlie Monaghan were recently spotted having lunch at a quiet bistro in downtown Toronto.

It seems the pair skipped a traditional honeymoon trip but there’s no denying they’re still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. Their romantic lunch included lingering looks, soft touches, and even sharing a decadent dessert!

Following their meal, the lovebirds strolled through the park hand-in-hand and Fowler was spotted buying a large bouquet of flowers from a street vendor and presenting it to his new husband.

Fan reactions to their marriage have been mixed.

“I don’t know,” one fan said, expressing their confusion over the pairing. “It came out of nowhere. Neither of them mentioned the other until the wedding then, bam, they were posting all sorts of cutesy pics on social media. It’s a little sus if you ask me.”

Is it PR strategy or true love? Only time will tell.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Okay,” Birdie said with a wide grin as Charlie stepped out of the front door. “Ready to go?”

“Sure.” Charlie slid into the convertible, already regretting the plans he’d made with her.

On the drive to the practice arena to watch Dustin train, Charlie listened to Birdie chatter on and responded as much as he could on the drive, but his stomach was knotted with apprehension.

Other than the meeting at the arena, the only time he’d been to a skating facility since he quit figure skating was to support Taylor and cheer on Jamie.

But it always took its toll on him and sooner or later he was going to have to get used to being there. There was no good reason to put it off. And the longer he waited, the harder it would get.

This coming season, Charlie would need to attend Dustin’s home games and the family holiday skate, so he might as well get over the stress of it now. Better to do it with no press around, right?

Still, he could feel the tension in his jaw and shoulders as they walked through the doors and he was hit with the familiar scent of ice and the resurfacing fluid used in Zambonis. It sent a little twinge through him but whether that was of nostalgia or painful memories was hard to tell.

---