“Possibly.” He sips his beer. “Haven’t put much thought into it. Kind of focusing on the here and now.” He sets his glass down on the table and twists it with his large hand. “What about you, Penny? You looking to start a family? Looking to settle down?”
I cringe and shake my head. “No. I don’t think I’m mature enough for that. I’ve been so focused on my career that I haven’t even thought about any of that stuff. Not really interested in any of it to be honest. Just having fun.”
“Then you’ve come to the right place.” He lifts his glass and says, “Let’s finish these drinks and get out of here.”
“Oh . . . going home?” I ask, slightly stunned and possibly—just possibly—upset about him abruptly wanting to part so soon.
He smirks. “No, we are going to go get some dessert. I know of a great place.”
“Wait, you want me to go with you?”
He rolls his eyes. “Yes, Jesus. Don’t I deserve a birthday cake?”
“I mean, yes, of course.” My mind reels. “As long as you actually mean birthday cake and not something else.”
“What could you possibly be referring to?” he asks with a sparkling glint in his eyes that’s damn near blinding.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” I down the rest of my drink. The alcohol has kicked in, and I’m feeling extraordinarily happy. There are no more nerves, no more anxiety. I feel relaxed but also coherent. Like I can make solid decisions that aren’t fogged by intoxication.
It’s why when Hornsby stands and offers his hand to me, I don’t take it right away.
“Are you not going to celebrate my birthday with me?”
“You tend to use the whole birthday thing to your advantage. You realize that, right?”
“I survived another year on this planet. I’m pretty sure that’s cause for celebration.” He wiggles his fingers. “Come on.”
“Wait one second. Before I agree to this dessert, which is actual food, correct?”
“Correct.”
“Okay.” I straighten my shoulders. “Then I need to make sure that after dessert, we part ways and say good night.”
His jaw clenches, and I can see his irritation in the tic of his cheek and the way he glances away. Will he agree? My guess is dessert was a ploy. I might be buzzed, but I’m not stupid. And as I await his answer, I inwardly smirk because I can see right through him. “Okay,” he finally says. “After dessert, we part ways.”
“Deal?” I hold my hand out.
He lets out a deep sigh. “Deal.” He takes my hand in his and pulls me down off my stool. “Follow me.”
Together, we weave through the crowd. A few guys notice him and stop him for a fist bump or a handshake. One guy took a selfie with Hornsby, and the entire time, he held my hand, never letting go. It was a whirlwind of appreciation that I wasn’t ready to be exposed to.
I get the need to have a little piece of him, though. These men are absolute gods here in Vancouver. To spot them out in the wild and have access to them is most likely overwhelming and a dream come true to any hockey fan.
When we’re finally outside, we’re whipped in the face by a chilly wind. February in Vancouver in a dress is not a smart choice, but I wasn’t expecting to be outside very long.
Hornsby lets go of my hand, and he quickly removes his suit jacket before draping it over my shoulders. The large jacket drowns me in the tailored fabric that smells just like him. Immediately, my body warms from the thought of him being wrapped around me.
“It’s a quick walk,” he says before taking my hand again and guiding me down the block.
I tug on the hem of my dress as we move quickly. “I didn’t think of winter wear when I put this dress on. Thank you for your jacket.”
“You’re welcome. And that dress . . . trust me, it’s perfect for tonight.”
“Says the guy wearing pants.”
“My ankles are exposed. I feel the chilliness.”
“Oh, heaven forbid your ankles get cold,” I joke.
“I know, fans around would be terrified they might turn blue. You know there are Instagram accounts dedicated just to my ankles.”
“I know. I’ve seen them,” I say. “The comments are absolutely ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous or true? Someone said I could easily win best ankles in Canada and America. I mean, that’s a title I’d wear proudly.”