Breakout (A Dallas Demons Hockey Romance) (10 page)

“No, I don’t. You can drive.”

“So final question then: where are we eating?”

I’m so wrecked by this conversation with Wyatt and the question looming over my head about Thanksgiving that I feel nauseous. Food doesn’t sound appealing at all.

Ask him about Thanksgiving and get it over with
, I will myself.
Otherwise, you’ll be sick at lunch while you try to determine the exact moment to ask him.

“Can I ask you something first?” I blurt out.

“Anything, you know that.”

I gather up every inch of courage I have and move forward.

“Are you staying in town for Thanksgiving?”

Niko slowly rubs his hand over his facial stubble shadow. “Yeah, it’s too hard to get back East for a day.”

I nod. “My parents always go out of town, but I’m staying home this year so I can work. So I, um, I’m going to Ryan’s mother-in-law’s for Thanksgiving, and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me. If you don’t have plans. Or if you want to. Don’t feel like you have to. Just if you’d like.”

My heart is pounding hard against my ribs. I feel sick. Niko shows no expression on his face, which is probably because I gave him the most awkward invitation in history.

Niko’s cell phone goes off. “Excuse me,” he says, picking the cell up off his desk. He glances at it and then puts it down. “It’s Kimberlee. I’ll call her back later.”

Jealousy floods me. It’s all I can do not to ask him how his meeting went with her yesterday, but since I’ve already sounded like a freak with my invitation, I’ll refrain from asking about her.

And if he likes her.

And if he texts her and calls her like he does me, oh no, please don’t let that be the case.

Niko can’t like her.

He can’t
.

“So you’re inviting me to Thanksgiving dinner?” Niko says slowly, going back to the topic at hand.

Since there’s no going back, I nod.

“What time?” Niko says, moving past me to go to his computer. I watch as he saves the file he was in by clicking on the save tab.

“Three o’clock.”

Niko turns around. “I don’t know. Ryan has told me some crazy stuff about his mother-in-law.”

But he’s grinning at me as he says it.

My heart fills with hope at the sight of his smile.

“She’s entertaining,” I say, smiling back.

“So I get a Thanksgiving meal
and
entertainment if I say yes.”

I laugh. “Guaranteed.”

“There’s a more important variable in play here, though.”

“What’s that?”

“I get to spend the day with you.”

I can’t breathe. Butterflies dance in my stomach. I can hardly believe what Niko is saying.

“So my answer is yes,” Niko says, his eyes locked on mine. “I’d love to spend Thanksgiving with you.”

Chapter 14

The One Online Dating Service Profile Question:
You are bringing a date to a family dinner. What are your expectations?

My write-in answer:
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that some holiday magic might result in our first kiss . . .

Niko eases his car through the security gates of CiCi’s exclusive neighborhood, raising his eyebrows as he does.

“Wow, this is like a player’s neighborhood,” Niko says, glancing at the huge custom homes that line the perfectly manicured streets. “Serious money here.”

It’s Thanksgiving Day, and we’re headed over to CiCi’s house for dinner. It’s a beautiful autumn afternoon, with bright sunshine and temps in the mid-fifties. And of course, since CiCi won the house in the divorce of her wealthy attorney husband, she lives in a very exclusive Frisco community.

“And I can’t believe I was told how to specifically dress for dinner,” Niko says, shaking his head.

I smile at him. Per CiCi’s invitation, we’re both dressed in ‘Ralph Lauren Style Country Estate Weekend’ clothing.

I study him, and Niko’s played his part by wearing a navy V-neck Polo sweater, layered over a white oxford shirt, with jeans and rugged boots. I selected a fitted, brown-tweed blazer over a plum silky top and jeans, with riding boots as my Ralph Lauren inspired look.

“Thank you for going along with it,” I say as we drive. “Make a left at the next stop light,” I add.

“Okay. But nah, it was easy enough,” Niko insists.

“Right,” I say, laughing. “You must think this is insane. I bet your family didn’t have a dress code.”

Niko laughs. “Yes, we did. But it was called an
apron.
We always worked Thanksgiving Day. Big bakery day. I was making pumpkin pies and rolls starting in the wee hours of the morning. It was all hands on deck until we closed at two o’clock. We didn’t even start cooking our own meal until after that. Those days were exhausting, I’ll tell you that. I don’t know how my parents still do it at their age.”

I think about how different our Thanksgivings were. My first memories of Thanksgiving have always been of skiing in Aspen, followed by Thanksgiving lunch in our Colorado home. And here Niko was, working his ass off and not enjoying it as a day off from work.

“So dressing like this,” Niko says, interrupting my thoughts, “was easy to do.”

I smile at him. “A little more work than tossing on an apron, but the rest of your day will be leisurely.”

“No.”

I furrow my brow. Niko slows to a stop as we approach a stop sign.

“This was easy to do,” Niko says, facing me, “because it was for you.”

Oh! My pulse leaps from his admission.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

“You’re welcome.”

Niko turns and I guide him toward CiCi’s house, which sits at the very end of a cul-de-sac.

Of course, it’s not hard to miss, because the whole family is outside, decked out in Ralph Lauren clothing, and having their picture taken by a photographer.

“Are you freaking serious?” Niko says, pulling his car up behind Nate’s Bentley. “She’s having a
photo shoot
today?”

Oh no. That’s why she had everyone dress in Ralph Lauren style. Then it hits me. She asked me to make sure Niko and I were both dressed in Ralph Lauren so we must be—

Gah! Gah! CiCi’s going to put us in the picture! I glance at Niko, who is staring at the scene in front of us as if he’s spotted a group of aliens dancing on her front lawn.

Shit. This could totally freak him out, because we’re just coworkers. God. No. Help.

“Um, I’m sure they’re almost finished,” I blurt out.

Please let them be finished
.

When I get out of the car, I see that the photographer is taking pictures of Amanda, Ryan, Claire, and Bella. They look like the perfect family, blond and gorgeous and immaculately dressed. Ryan is wearing a Fair Isle sweater vest with a shirt and tie underneath and jeans, Amanda has a matching sweater, jeans, and riding boots, and the girls have coordinating dresses and beret hats.

Suddenly I have a vision of CiCi wheeling out a rolling rack with our assigned matching outfits.

No.

Surely not.

I mean, she’s knows we’re just friends. We’re not family. Niko doesn’t even know these people and please
no.

“Shit, this looks like an ad for Ralph Lauren,” Niko says, coming around to me.

I swallow nervously. “CiCi likes for her family to coordinate,” I say breezily, although I’m hitting complete panic. I clear my throat. “Let me get the gift and my overnight bag.”

“I’ll help,” Niko says, opening the door to the back seat. “I still think it’s funny you’re spending the night here.”

“Well, CiCi probably figured Kenley would be at Nate’s tonight. She didn’t want me to be alone on the holiday.”

“Darling,” CiCi says, sweeping down her stone-paved sidewalk. “So glad the
whole family
is finally here!”

I bite my lip. CiCi is stunning as usual in a long rich brown skirt, fitted blazer, and scarf tied perfectly around her neck.

“Auntie Lexi!” Claire yells happily, scrambling to get down from Ryan’s arms. Ryan sets her down and she flies down the sidewalk toward me.

“Hey, baby,” I say happily, scooping her up. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

“Happy Turkey Day!” she yells excitedly as she winds her tiny arms around my neck. Then she looks seriously at Niko. “CiCi says you’re The Gweek One.”

Fuck.

Niko furrows his brow. “Um, the what?”

“Nothing,” CiCi interjects. “I’m Cecily Hunter. But everyone calls me CiCi. So please don’t call me Ms. Hunter, because that makes me feel so dreadfully old.”

Niko smiles and shakes her hand. “Thank you so much for including me, CiCi.”

“Good boy,” CiCi says, smiling with approval at him. “And we finished individual pics of Amanda’s family, and Nate and Kenley, so if you two could take yours, then we can take the
family
picture.”

“The Gweek One is our family, CiCi?” Claire asks innocently.

Argh! I want to die. I want to die.

“I want
all
of our guests in the picture,” CiCi says smoothly. “Niko, you don’t
mind
, do you?”

“Mom, stop badgering him,” Kenley says, quickly coming down the walk, with Nate following behind her.

“What? Don’t be
ridiculous
. I’m not badgering. I’m recording this year’s holiday. Oh, and Nate and Kenley posed with hockey sticks, maybe you and Niko can do that since you’re both involved with hockey.”

I plead with Kenley to save me. Thank God she’s my best friend and knows exactly what I need by the expression in my eyes.

“Hey, Xenakis, what’s up?” Nate says, grinning and shaking his hand.

“Hey, man, good to see you,” Niko says, gripping Nate’s hand.

I study Nate, who is dressed in an olive field jacket, chambray shirt, and jeans. Kenley is wearing a Polo cable knit, V-neck sweater in cream, over a red plaid shirt with slim jeans and suede loafers.

“Niko, you don’t have to do any of this,” Kenley assures him.

“If I have to, he has to,” Nate says wickedly.

“This is insanity,” Amanda says, jumping in. “Niko and Lexi do not have to be a part of the looney bin.”

“Amanda! For God’s sake, it’s not looney,” CiCi declares. “Honestly, what is wrong with trying to take a simple
picture?
”

Simple
. CiCi thinks this is simple. Niko is so never going to ask me out after this. And he’ll probably ditch out before dinner claiming he’s sick or something.

“I could draw it, CiCi,” Claire suggests.

I set her down and she instantly runs to Nate, who picks her up and plants a big kiss on her cheek.

“Um, is the next couple ready?” the female photographer yells out. “We’re on a schedule.”

Couple
.
Damn it she referred to us as a couple
.

I look at Niko as Amanda and Kenley continue to argue with CiCi, Claire keeps asking him why he’s called
The Gweek One
, Nate is simply observing this while Ryan is holding a crying Bella, and Niko is taking all this in with a look of complete bewilderment on his face.

Then I see Niko’s expression change. In fact, he’s now smiling at CiCi. “We’d be happy to take a picture. Right, Lexi?”

Okay. He’s going to roll with this before bolting.

“Yes.” I nod.

CiCi claps her hands together excitedly. “Fantastic!”

“Um, hold on for a second,” Niko says, reaching into the backseat of his car. “We have a gift for you.”

So I know Niko is going to never ask me out after today, but my heart briefly rises when he said the word “we.”

Niko retrieves the gift basket we worked on last night. He turns and presents it to CiCi. “Thank you for having us today.”

“What? For me?” CiCi says.

I nod. “Yes. We brought you a bottle of St. Germain, which is an elderflower liquor, champagne, and everything to make elderberry-grapefruit sparklers.”

“Oh, it’s gorgeous and so thoughtful,” CiCi declares. “Thank you. I’ll have the chef prepare these as our pre-dinner cocktails. Excuse me while I take this in to Monica.” Then CiCi looks at me. “Did you bring your overnight bag?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Will one of you boys get her bag please so they can stay on schedule for photographs?”

“I’ve got it,” Nate says, handing Claire to Kenley.

“Thank you,” I say.

“Anytime. Can’t run behind on pictures,” he says, winking at me.

Gah.

CiCi sweeps past, moving up the sidewalk, with everyone following behind her.

And now it’s me, Niko, and the photographer.

“Come on,” Niko says easily.

He’s too nice. Nobody can be this nice. Niko must think I’ve been babbling about him non-stop and have determined he will be my husband and the man hasn’t even kissed me yet.

And I know he’s bolting right after that first cocktail is served.

We walk up the winding pavement, and the photographer greets us.

“Hi, I’m Lisa,” she says, smiling at us. “Are you ready to take some pictures?”

“We are,” Niko says.

She studies us for a moment. “I’m going to have you move out on to the lawn. Give me just as second.”

As she moves around, trying to determine the perfect place for us to be, I swallow hard and gaze up at Niko.

“I’m beyond sorry about this,” I say quietly.

A look of confusion passes over his gorgeous face. “Why?”

“
Why?
” I ask, incredulous. “You know why, Niko. This is so awkward.”

“Is it awkward for you, Lexi? Because it’s not for me.”

My heart stops beating.

“Lexi, Niko, come down about halfway. I want to get the trees with gold leaves in the background. It’ll look fantastic with Lexi’s gorgeous red hair.”

We move down the lawn, but I’m shaking the whole time. What did he mean by that? Is there a reason this isn’t awkward for him?

“Niko, I want you a little behind Lexi,” Lisa says.

Niko slips behind me, and his closeness makes my throat go dry.

“Now put your hand on her waist, and draw her into you.”

Slowly, Niko’s hand slides underneath my tweed blazer, finding the curve in my waist, his hand pressing against the silk of my purple shirt. I burn hot the second his hand touches me.

A gust of wind blows up, and my hair streams back. Leaves swirl around us and Niko takes his other hand, gently smoothing my hair back and then stroking it into place.

“I don’t feel awkward,” Niko says again.

“Great! Right there!”

Lisa begins snapping away, but I’m oblivious to her. I look up at Niko, stunned by his admission.

“You don’t?” I ask, barely able to hear the words over the pounding of my heart.

He bends his head closer, his cedar and spice scent mingling with the fall air, as he gazes back at my upturned face as leaves drift down around us.

“No. And I don’t think you do, either.”

Joy fills my heart. “No, I don’t.”

“So we agree this feels right?”

I nod as an electric feeling sweeps over every inch of me.

“Okay, that’s great! Let’s do the family picture now!” Lisa declares. “I’ll get everyone.”

Lisa moves past us, toward the house.

Now it’s just me and Niko.

Niko turns me around, gently putting his hand against the side of my face. “This feels real,” he says softly. “This Thanksgiving is the most real one I’ve ever known.”

Emotion fills me. Suddenly it’s not about working in a bakery or skiing in Aspen or costumed photo shoots. It’s about being here, with Niko, sharing this day together.

And the one big hurdle we had, about dating a coworker, has been cleared with his words. It doesn’t matter that we work at the same place.

Nor does it matter that we haven’t had an official date or even kissed. I’m falling in love with this man, and I swear by the look in his eyes he’s falling in love with me.

Our beginning is now.

And I can’t wait to see what happens next.

“I’ve never been to a Thanksgiving like this in my life,” Niko says quietly, dipping his head toward mine so I can hear him. “Here I am, sitting in his huge house, one that is already professionally decorated for Christmas. My dinner was cooked by a chef and served
to me. I appeared in a photo shoot that could be a Ralph Lauren ad, and I’m hanging out with one of the greatest American-born hockey players in history at a holiday dinner. It’s surreal.”