Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)(54)

Rio joins a few minutes later, with a second bowl of popcorn for us in one hand, holding out a mug for me in the other.

“It’s the first of a month’s worth of lattes that I owe you. I leave on Monday and will be traveling for most of the month, but I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”

I look down at the blob of foam on top and a grin hitches up on my lips. “Stunning latte art.”

“It was the side profile of an Arctic wolf. Perfect proportions. Then I took a sip and ruined it, but it was flawless before that. Trust me.”

I take my own sip, putting my lips right where I can tell his were. It’s the same latte as the one he made me yesterday. Vanilla and almond milk. “Thank you.”

“You already fell asleep on me once last night. I need to keep you awake to hang out with me this time.”

He rests the bowl of popcorn on my legs before he picks up a sleeping Iverson from the couch next to me, readjusting him to lay on his lap so Rio can take the seat on the couch directly next to me.

There’s enough room on his other side that he could move over a bit, but he doesn’t. He stays close.

His thigh presses against mine. His shoulder is flush with my own.

That is until he lifts his arm and wraps it around the back of the couch where I’m sitting, essentially putting his arm around me.

“Rio—”

“Shh,” he hushes me, eyes glued to the TV. “There’s a movie on.”

“You drive me insane, you know that?”

“Hmm,” he hums. “That makes two of us, love.”

The old term of endearment gives me pause, but it doesn’t affect him one bit. He simply grabs a handful of popcorn and tosses it back, eyes locked on the movie.

It feels good. Comfortable and easy, the way it always used to.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispers a few moments later. “I’m sorry for stealing your Saturday night.”

“No, you’re not.”

I peek at him out of the corner of my eye, and his smile turns so proud. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m not sorry at all.”



“Thanks, Hallie,” Indy whispers as she peels a sleeping Iverson out from under Rio’s arm. “We appreciate you helping him.”

“Anytime.” I keep my voice quiet to not wake the hockey player passed out asleep with his head partway on my thigh.

Indy is the last out of the house after everyone picked up their sleeping kids, but she stops at the door, turning back my way. “We’re having family dinner at my house tomorrow night after Ryan’s game and before Rio and Zanders hit the road for most of the month. You should come. Everyone will be there.”

Everyone is referring to Zanders and the girls I’ve already met before, along with her husband, Ryan, and the Rhodes brothers who I met tonight.

I glance down at my lap, making sure Rio is still asleep and not listening in on this conversation. “I’m not sure he would want me going to something like that with all his closest friends but thank you for the invite.”

“I don’t care what he wants,” Indy says with an edge of sass. “It’s my house. I can invite anyone I want to invite.”

I chuckle. “Thank you, but regardless, I have a shift at my second job. I work nights at a bar downtown.”

Indy readjusts her sleeping son on her shoulder. “Oh, I heard about that! Service industry?” She blows out a breath. “Been there. Done that. You’re a saint, Hallie. Killer tips, though, huh?”

Her response takes me by surprise. I guess I expected Rio’s friends, who are all professional athletes or married to one, would judge me for being a bartender. It’s a hard job, dealing with the general public, working late hours, and constantly being on your feet. It’s nowhere near as glamorous as telling people I’m employed by a luxury interior design firm.

“Yeah. Exactly. Great tips.”

“Next time we have a parents’ night out, we’ll have to come see you. And family dinner, whenever you’re free on a Sunday, we’d love to have you.”

I nod with a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Thanks again!” She closes the front door behind her.

It’s just after nine p.m. and Rio is sleeping perfectly fine. I try not to let myself overthink why that may be. We were crammed on the couch with so many bodies, so yeah, his head ended up partially on my thigh, where it still is now, but it was purely due to lack of space.

He looks so peaceful, so content, like his brain finally shut up and allowed him a moment of peace. His dark hair is falling over his forehead and covering his eyes, so without thinking, I use my fingertips to skim his curls out of the way.

He hums.

Sleeping like this, he looks exactly like the boy who I found asleep on my floor more nights than not. And spending time with him tonight felt exactly like it used to, with no anger or hostility between us.

It was nice, but the kids are gone now, so it’s time for me to leave too.

I scoot out from under him, using my hand to cradle his head, and wedging a pillow below him in place of my thigh.

He stirs for a moment, reaching out for me, but I’m far enough from the couch now that he doesn’t find me and instead, slips his hand under the pillow and falls right back asleep. I quietly cover him with a blanket before leaving out the front door and softly closing it behind me.