Chapter 9

The cold air nips at my skin as I glide across the ice, feeling the well-known exertion of hockey practice. It"s been a while since I"ve been here, and it"s almost like coming home. Although, the sport isn't the only thing that has me feeling alive lately; it"s Presley Jenkins.

There"s something about her fiery spirit, her fierce independence, and, yeah, even her stubbornness that draws me in. We"ve been talking and texting non-stop since our date, and I"ve been spending more nights at her place than my own. There"s an undeniable connection, and it"s a refreshing change from the shallow encounters I"m used to.

"Hey, Halliday!" Amir, my teammate, shouts as he skates up beside me. "You"re looking pretty good out there. Must be that new girl you"ve been seeing."

"Thanks, man," I reply with a smirk. "She definitely keeps me on my toes."

As we skate around the rink, I think about how much Presley means to me. She"s strong and self-sufficient, running her own dog grooming salon. She"s also fiercely protective of those she cares about, and her friendship with Ziggy, her co-owner of Slash and Dash.

"Hey, I"ve got an idea," I tell Amir. "I want to surprise Presley with something really special. Would you mind helping me after practice?"

"Sure thing, buddy," he replies. "I don't have anything else to do."

"Cool, I ordered some things a couple of weeks ago and I have it in my truck," I say.

"Sounds like a challenge," he exclaims. "Count me in."

So, after practice, my teammate and I head over to Presley"s house, armed with the big boxes I ordered for her surprise gift. As we unload them from the truck, I'm fighting with my own nerves. I want this to be perfect for her.

"Alright, let"s get to work," I say, clapping my hands.

"Wait, what about Presley?" Amir asks. "Shouldn"t she be out of the house while we set this up?"

"Good point," I reply. "Let me handle that."

I knock on the door and Presley answers, looking stunning as always. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to pull her in for a heated kiss right then and there.

"Hey, Weston!" she exclaims, obviously surprised by my unexpected visit. "What brings you here?"

"Umm," I start, trying to sound casual, "would you mind running an errand or something? Like, maybe, go check on Ziggy at the groomers? There"s something I want to set up for you here, and I need you out of the house for a bit."

"Sure," she replies, raising an eyebrow curiously. "But only if you promise it"s going to be worth it."

"Trust me," I assure her, grinning. "You"re going to love it."

"Okay then," she agrees, grabbing her keys and heading out the door. "I"ll see you later."

As soon as she"s gone, Amir and I start working on the surprise gift. We assemble each piece carefully, making sure everything is just right. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees it.

"Man, she"s really got you wrapped around her finger, huh?" my teammate teases, noticing the intense focus on my face.

"Maybe," I admit, smiling sheepishly. "But it"s worth it."

We continue to work tirelessly, driven by wanting to see Presley happy. As I stand back to admire our handiwork, I think about how far we"ve come in such a short time. From a one-night stand to something deeper and more meaningful, it"s been one hell of a ride. And I wouldn"t trade it for anything.

"Let"s clean up so I can call Presley and tell her to come home," I say, clapping Amir on the back. "I can"t wait for her to see this."

"Good luck, man," he replies, giving me a knowing grin.

"Thanks, man," I respond, appreciating his support.

I dial Presley"s number, my heart pounding in my chest. "Hey, it"s all set. You can come home now," I tell her when she answers.

"Okay! I"ll be there soon. I"m excited!" she replies.

"Great. See you soon," I say before hanging up.

As I wait for Presley to arrive, I pace back and forth by the front door, trying to calm my nerves. I want this surprise to be perfect for her, something that will make her see just how much I care.

The sound of a car pulling up outside alerts me that Presley is out front. I open the door just as she steps out of her vehicle, her eyes lighting up when she sees me waiting for her.

"Hey," I greet her, holding out a stuffed Viking plush toy. "Welcome back."

"Awe, a Viking, like the Michigan Vikings hockey team, huh?" she says, blushing as she accepts the plushie. "This is so cute!"

"Got to represent my team, baby. Okay, close your eyes," I instruct her, taking her free hand and guiding her inside. "I have something else to show you."

"Okay," she agrees, closing her eyes and letting me lead her to the extra room in her house.

"You can open your eyes now," I tell her, stepping back to let her take in the surprise.

Presley gasps as her gaze falls on the Viking-themed baby bed and bedding we"ve set up, complete with a baby mobile featuring little Vikings and ships. Her eyes fill with tears, and she covers her mouth as her eyes dart back and forth around the room.

"Weston... this is incredible," she whispers. "You did this for me?"

"Of course," I reply, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I wanted to do something special for you and the baby."

"Thank you," she murmurs, leaning into me for a tight hug. "I can"t believe how thoughtful you are. I love it."

Over the next few weeks, Presley and I continue to spend time together. The days turn into nights, and the nights turn into weeks, but our connection only grows stronger. It"s been a long time since I"ve felt this kind of emotional intimacy with someone, and it feels amazing.

"Weston," Presley says one evening as we"re wrapped up in each other"s arms on her couch. "I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you"ve done for me lately. You"ve really stepped up when you didn't have to, and it means the world to me."

"Presley, being there for you and the baby is important to me. I care about both of you so much," I confess, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She leans in for a tender kiss, and I relish in her closeness.

"Happy Father"s Day, by the way," she adds with a smile. "I know you"re not officially a father, but you"ve been nothing short of incredible just like any proud father would."

"Thanks, Presley. That means a lot coming from you," I reply.

"Hey, why don"t we take Ziggy out for lunch today?" she suggests. "You know, as a thank you for covering for me at Slash and Dash while I've been gone… and about to be gone a lot more?" She chuckles and rubs her belly.

"Sounds like a great idea," I agree, already looking forward to spending the day with her. "Let"s do it."

During lunch, the three of us laugh and chat about life, work, and the upcoming arrival of Presley"s baby. Amid mouthfuls of delicious food, we discuss potential baby names and speculate about the baby"s gender, as Presley has decided to keep it a surprise until the birth.

"Alright, what are your top baby names?" Ziggy asks, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Uh, I like Thor if it"s a boy," I say, grinning at the thought of a little Viking warrior.

"Of course you"d choose Thor," Presley teases me, playfully rolling her eyes. "For a girl, I"ve always liked Freyja."

"Ooh, I love that!" Ziggy exclaims. "A strong, beautiful goddess! Perfect for our little warrior."

"Regardless of the gender, this baby is going to be so loved and cherished," I say, looking into Presley"s eyes as we clasp hands across the table.

"Absolutely," she agrees, squeezing my hand in return.