CHAPTER NINE

V innie

I kissed Evan.

I still can’t believe it, and my heart bubbles at the memory.

I look away. Evan doesn’t need to see me smile.

“Okay,” Evan says. “Dress up is over. Let’s clean the room.”

I wait for Stella to protest, but she moves quickly and expediently. Evan smirks when he sees my jaw gape.

“She’s trained well,” I murmur. “Guess you’re a good captain off the ice too.”

“She’s a good kid.”

“The best,” I agree.

Evan’s eyes widen, and I busy myself with removing my cloak and folding it with probably more care than the action needs.

“I’m sorry about the kiss,” Evan says.

I raise my eyebrows. “You do realize I was the one who kissed you?”

“Yes, but Stella is my daughter—”

“It’s fine, Evan,” I say. “She’s a good kid, and you’re a good father.”

“Okay.” He nods. “And you’re a good kisser.”

His cheeks flame, and something in my heart warms. I stare at him, and he stares back.

The urge to kiss him again surges through me. I want to pull him toward me again. I want to explore him properly, slink my arms around his waist, and breathe in his cotton-lemony scent. I want to take my time as I taste his lips.

“You’re a good kisser too,” I say finally.

His Adam’s apple moves. I’m probably making him super uncomfortable.

I avert my gaze. “So, Stella, what do you want to do next?”

“We should go camping!”

“Camping?” I look at Evan. He looks similarly surprised.

“I thought you didn’t like the idea of camping,” he says.

‘That was in the past,” Stella says airily.

I glance at the gray sky. “It’s pretty cold outside now.”

Stella’s expression turns thoughtful. “We can set up the tent in the living room, can’t we, Daddy?”

“Well—” Evan hesitates, then rakes a hand through his blond locks. “I suppose.”

“Yay!” Stella beams, then claps her hands.

“Make sure your room is clean,” Evan says. “I’m going to start dinner.”

Stella nods absentmindedly. “Vinnie can help you.”

Evan and I leave Stella’s room and head downstairs.

“I’m feeling better,” Evan says. “If you want to leave—”

“The paper Dr. Novak gave me was pretty specific,” I say. “I’m here for 48 hours.”

“Okay.” He gives me a wobbly smile.

I’m thankful he doesn’t bring up the kiss again. Instead, we go to the kitchen.

“So, um, what do you want to make?”

“Chicken, okay?” Evan asks.

“I can make it,” I say.

Evan frowns. “I’m feeling better.”

“That’s excellent. I’m still going to help you.”

He shrugs and sits in the armchair. “Okay.”

I cook in silence, and I try to keep my eyes from wandering to him with too much frequency.

I’m relieved when Stella enters the room.

“Why don’t you set the table, pumpkin?” Evan says.

Stella beams. “Okay.”

She leaves the room, and Evan frowns. “She normally doesn’t get excited about that task.”

A few minutes later, Michael Bublé music streams from the room.

Evan’s eyes widen.

“She has grown up taste,” I say.

“Guess so.” Evan shrugs. “Last dinner, we listened to the Aladdin soundtrack. You’re lucky.”

“I like Aladdin.”

“Me too,” Evan admits.

We stare again, and I force myself to look away. At this rate, he’s going to figure out I have a crush on him. He’s going to figure out I have more than a crush on him. I’m not ready for that.

I take the chicken out of the oven and follow Evan to the dining room.

And it takes my breath away.

It’s romantic...

Red petals are strewn over the floor, and the air is definitely more fragrant than before. It smells like Evan’s Tom Ford cologne.

Evan’s cheeks redden. He looks at Stella. “This is—”

“Fancy?” She beams happily.

I glance at the table.

“That’s the special China,” Evan says.

“Isn’t Vinnie a special guest?”

Evan swallows hard, then glances at me. “Yes. Of course.”

I gaze at the table. She’s put tall candles that weren’t there before. “Want me to light the candles?”

She grins. “Yes!”

“Where are the matches?”

Evan closes his eyes. “In the drawer in the side table.”

I find them easily, and Stella bounces around me. I light the candles, and Stella flicks off the lights, then bolts into her chair.

I glance at the napkins that have been folded into something...maybe fans.

“These are pretty, Stella!”

“I looked up how to do them on the internet,” Stella says.

Evan blinks. “How resourceful.”

He shoots me a bewildered glance.

“It’s nice that you’re so helpful to your father when he’s been injured,” I say.

“I have the best dad.”

Evan’s eyes glisten. I know that comment means everything to him.

“I agree,” I say. “Evan is awesome.”

Evan ducks his head and concentrates on his food, and I swallow back a smile.

We chat easily through the dinner, then Stella volunteers to clear the plates.

The candles emit a warm glow. Stella returns carrying ice cream.

“That’s not healthy,” Evan says.

“Just a little bit, Daddy. We do have a guest.”

Evan nods. “Lucky us.”

Something in my heart warms.

“Camping, huh?”

Stella nods, her eyes bright.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Evan suck on the ice cream. I swallow hard and try to ignore my racing heart.

Living with Evan, however temporary, certainly hasn’t gotten rid of my crush.

I rise abruptly. “Let’s find that tent, Stella.”

Stella’s gaze darts to Evan, and he nods.

“It’s with the sports equipment,” Stella explains, skipping ahead of me.