Page 9

Clark

M y breath hitched in my chest as someone opened the door of the limo and people cheered, shouting, Knights, Knights, Knights. Sure, we’d gotten a parade, because we were PHL champions. But I had no idea that people would gather for us tonight .

Dimitri got out of the limo first, helping out Valya. He walked down the red carpet with Valya, looking extremely confident. Mercy followed behind them, waving at people and giving beaded bracelets she’d made to some little kids.

Taking a deep breath, I got out next, and helped Gwen out, careful of her large filmy skirt. She looked like an ethereal creature, like if I wasn’t careful, she’d whisk me away to another realm and keep me as her love slave.

Who was I kidding? I was already her love slave. Her time in the hospital made me realize that I was truly hers. While I’d missed my team and playing, having a few days to just cuddle with her, with no place to be, had been amazing.

I just wish they’d hurry and catch the assholes who hit us.

Offering her my arm that wasn’t in the cast, she looped hers through it, shooting me a smile that made my dick quiver.

Tenzin got out of the limo and approached us awkwardly. Gwen beamed and held out her manicured hand.

With a shy smile, he took her other arm and looked at me. “Shall we?”

“Let’s.” I waved as we walked down the carpet to the entrance of the hotel. Tenzin was back in our lives and it was like he’d never left.

That kiss…

He hadn’t kissed me on the lips since he’d made us biscuits and gravy. But , I’d gotten top-of-the head kisses, hand squeezes, face touches, and many little things that let me know he cared.

Him telling me he was putting her first for a moment helped. She needed us. Gwen was so tired and not really herself. Not to mention Austin’s lawyer kept hounding her. Gwen had played me the recording of her and Austin’s ‘talk’ when he cornered her at Tito’s and gave his dumb excuses. I hoped his dick fell off.

Tenzin flashed me a wide smile, which again made me want to kiss him. Fortunately, my surprise for when we went to Glitter City in a couple of days, was a go. He’d love it. At the very least, it said that I heard him and was here whenever he was ready.

If our special night ended with me sucking his cock? Well, even better.

Gwen blew a few kisses as people called out to her. We followed the carpet into the Harcourt Hotel, where someone from the Knights events team checked us off a list, gave us our table number, then shunted us down a hall. Finally, we ended up in an area filled with flowers, black and silver balloons, and giant banners that proclaimed us the champs.

A photographer took pictures of all three of us in front of an enormous banner, like we were at a school dance. This was the fanciest place I’d ever been to.

Verity, in a stunning silver gown, waved. “There you are. We need a picture of us girls.”

She pulled Gwen, Mercy, and Valya into a photo.

I waved at Sarah, who was there with her pack, looking like she’d give birth at any moment. She was a forward and on parental leave. I was glad she made it today.

A server came by with a tray of shrimp skewers. I took one and ate it as quickly and politely as I could. So hungry. Tenzin and Gwen joined me.

Carlos came over to us, drink in hand. “Mariquita, you look beautiful.”

“It’s Valya’s makeup artist who can make it look like I didn’t break my nose a week ago.” Gwen twirled a little, and I noticed people staring at her.

I’m sure they were wondering who the beautiful woman on my arm was. I wanted to laugh like a supervillain and yell mine, all mine.

Well, and Tenzin’s. People stared at him too. Hopefully, because of his yumminess and not because he was literally who we had to overcome to win.

So many people crowded the area. Not just everyone who played for the Knights last year, but also the back office staff, the coaches and equipment managers, the medical staff, the trainers and physios, the announcer and commentator, the Ice Crew, a few members of the press, and some retired players.

It took a lot of people to make a hockey team happen. Everyone was dressed fancy and seemed to be having a good time as they talked and ate the snacks that were being passed around as music played.

Anders came over with a tray of tiny hamburgers. His hair was in a tail, instead of his usual blond man-bun. “These are so good.”

“You’re not supposed to take the entire tray.” Carlos laughed. “Did the server offer you one, and you walked off with it?”

Anders blinked at us. “They’re small.”

“They’re good,” Tenzin nodded as he tried one.

Mitchy came over and joined us, a glass in his hand. “Fuck, this is fancy.”

“Yeah, it is,” I agreed. Mitchy had taken over for Sarah during the playoffs when she’d become too pregnant to play.

Lots of people came over to talk to us. Eventually, the doors to the ballroom opened, and they herded us inside.

“Are you doing okay?” I asked her as we found our seats. The room was full of flowers and balloons, along with more signs and cutouts.

A jazz band played by the dance floor. There was also a small stage where the shiny cup sat in all its giant silver glory.

“I’m ready to just eat and not talk to people for a hot minute. My brain hurts, but I’m not ready to leave. Wow, this is so fancy.” She squeezed my hand.

“Right?” I expected it to be nice, but this was something else.

Everyone took their seats at their table, people with clipboards directing them where to go. Near the front of the room was Mr. Longfellow, looking tired and pale, with his pack, and the owner, Mr. Daughtry, with his pack and his family.

I led her to our table, which was festooned with flowers. Our names were on the table at our place settings, Gwen between me and Tens.

Tenzin pulled out her chair, and she took her seat. Dimitri, Valya, Carlos, and his mom were also at our table.

So many forks and spoons sat at each setting. A box lay in the center of each plate, though different seats had different boxes. Mine and Gwen’s were the same, but Tenzin’s was different. Confetti and little foil chocolates that looked like the championship cup sprinkled the table.

“Oh, I’m at the fun table.” Shawna Castle, wearing a silver suit with a black tie, joined us. “Gwen, you’re doing better? You know, I’m just down the hall if you need anything.”

“Thanks. I’m working on it. That tater tot casserole you made was amazing.” Gwen stood and hugged her.

“It was,” I told her. And Gwen ate it. While she was eating more, she still needed to be coaxed sometimes.

“Castle.” Carlos fist bumped her.

Castle had filled in as forward a few times during the playoffs and finals, as everyone took turns getting sick and injured. I was glad they included her, even though she’d technically been a Bantam.

“Why isn’t Anders with us?” Mitchy joined us, holding a new drink.

I looked over at another table where he sat with a stately blonde. “Wait, is he back with his girlfriend?”

Mitchy shrugged. “No idea. He’d met someone on an app but who knows.”

LeeAnn came over to us in a long green dress and took a seat, frowning slightly. “I guess I’m at the kids’ table.”

“Oh, come on, I think Dimitri’s at least as old as you. There’s also Bucket.” Carlos grinned at her.

“No Tegan?” Gwen unwrapped a candy and popped it into her mouth. LeeAnn’s alpha was in the army and did super-secret ops.

The beta forward shook her head, blonde hair in a sleek updo. “She’s still away.”

“Gwen!” Ty, one of the other EBUGS, came over to us in a tux. A good-looking guy was with him.

“Yep, kids' table,” LeeAnn drawled.

Carlos’ mom leaned in, she wore a pretty floral dress. “They’ll keep us young.”

Castle rolled her eyes. “You’re not that much older than us, LeeAnn.”

Mitchy snorted. “Sure she is.”

“I suppose Lucky is with us?” LeeAnn looked at Carlos and grimaced.

“Um, no. He’s with Grif, of course. He even has his own place setting.” Carlos shot her a baffled look.

He did? But that didn’t surprise me. Lucky-the-imaginary-cat was popular on Knights’ social media. Well, and Carlos’.

“Oh, look, we’re at the fun table,” Ty said as they found their seats.

“Hi everyone. Wow, this really is worth missing my performance tonight.” The guy looked around. He had light brown skin, very short hair, and was slight–not much taller than Gwen. I wasn’t sure with all the scents if he was a beta or an omega.

“Hi, Damien.” Gwen hugged him. “Did you get the Bear King? Were parts announced?”

Damien huffed. “I’m understudying the Bear King, and in the mushroom dance. Which is still a decent role. But I’d be the best Bear King.”

“True. The mushroom dance is still amazing though. It’s so technical. I hope to see you perform,” she told him.

I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. I waved as I saw Elias, Winston, and their pack walk to their table. They’d come into town for this. Hopefully, they were enjoying retirement.

“I’m so proud of all of you. You always work hard, but it’s nice to see it rewarded,” Carlos’ mom said to us from across the table.

“Thank you, Mrs. R,” Mitchy told her.

“It’s nice to celebrate our win again.” He held up a glass and toasted the trophy on the stage.

Carlos poked the box on his plate with his fork. “Can we open it?”

Castle picked hers up. “I think we should.”

“Oooh, it rattles.” Mitchy shook his.

Damien and Gwen were still talking. I looked around and saw Elias open the box on his plate and beam, then kiss his mate, Winston. They’d been working toward that ring their entire career. I’d gotten lucky and started off on a winning team.

A distinguished man stood and took the mic. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Louis Daughtry, one of the owners of the New York Knights.”

He was the son of Cal Daughtry. Cal was the owner that people got mad at after he and Mr. Longfellow tried to fire Grif last year. Louis had tried to make things right and had sought us out when we’d stopped coming to official practices in protest. Also, Cal had sold off bits of the Knights to pay off his gambling debts, but I wasn’t sure what had come of that.

“Welcome to our official championship cup presentation dinner. Could everyone take their seats? Tonight we’re here to celebrate not just the New York Knights’ championship win, but everyone in the Knights family who made this a possibility. Dinner will be served shortly. Yes, you can open the boxes,” Louis laughed.

He didn’t need to tell me twice. I opened the fancy black and silver box, with our logo on it and sucked in a breath. On the black velvet sat a huge white-gold ring. The Knights’ logo was in the center, composed of black stones and accented with sparkly ones.

Professional Hockey League Champions was around it. On one side was the year and the cup. The other side…

My hand trembled as I picked it up and examined it as two decades of childhood dreams came together. There was Edwards and my number. While my name was done in the same black as the year, motto, and cup, my number, 55, was in sparkly stones on a black background. It was the sparkliest championship ring I’d ever seen.

On the underside was the New York skyline and on one side was Wonder Boy . Inside the ring were all our victories for the finals and the Knights’ logo.

Louis was still talking, explaining the symbolism of everything, including a black stone on the trophy for every year the Knights won. Putting the ring on, I sent a photo to my family group chat. I posted a picture to my social media and sent it to some of my friends.

“There’s a card in the box explaining all the symbolism for anyone who cares and isn’t listening.” Castle waved something around.

All I could do was stare at my hand. I had a championship ring. Look at me. I was literally living the dream. I’d gotten signed, played for a top team, won a championship , got a ring, was off to a great season, and had great friends and two people I truly cared about.

“Bozh’ya Korovka, are you okay?” Dimitri said something else in Russian to Gwen.

“I… I didn’t know I got one, too. It… it has my name on it. I have a PHL championship ring with my name on it. ” Gwen’s chest shuddered and tears rolled down her cheeks.

In the center of her hand was a slightly smaller version of my ring. Only hers had Di Rossi and a 00. It also said Ladybug.

“It’s beautiful, just like you.” I kissed her on the cheek.

“You fucking deserve it like the rest of us,” Castle told her. “Especially for talking me off a ledge every time I got called in. I was so afraid I’d screw it up for everyone.”

Same. The pressure of the playoffs–and finals–was so much more than when I’d played for my community college. After all, I was in a line with Grif Graf, who’d won the championship for the Hurricanes the year before.

“Ladybug, during the double EBUG fiasco during finals, you ditched class and came to Seattle last minute, even though you were worried about missing your shifts at Tito’s and not making rent,” Carlos told her, admiring his own ring.

“You showed up at the training center before class and after work to practice with me. You were always rearranging things so you could show up. Even though none of you took the ice, you EBUGs still worked hard during the playoffs,” I told her.

“Yeah. It’s too bad Marcos couldn’t make it,” Mitchy added.

The EBUGs worked so hard. There was one at every game, all season long. They helped at all our charity stuff and did work with the Squires–our youth program. They went to practices and workouts. I’m not sure people realized how much unpaid time they put in.

“I didn’t know you came to a game in Portland.” Tenzin hugged her to him. His box held a fancy commemorative coin. Valya, Damien, and Mrs. Rodriguez had one, too.

“Yeah, during the finals, the PHL decided the teams needed two EBUGs. The Sasquatches couldn’t find a second, so the Knights brought me. It was super stressful, even though I never actually played.” Gwen laughed.

That had been a logistical nightmare, making sure there were two EBUGs at each game. At least it was just the finals and not the whole playoffs.

“I’m still low-key jealous you got to fly on the team jet. I got a necklace! It has my name and number on the back in black stones. Which is fucking cool. I know the staff gets something, but I didn’t think we would. We have to send a pic to Marcos. I hope he gets one.” Ty held up a round sparkly pendant that looked exactly like the front of my ring, only it had the year on it, too.

“The necklace is nice, did you pick that over a ring?” Damien asked, looking at everyone’s stuff.

Ty shook his head. “We got to pick?”

“Ladybug was around this summer, so she got to pick. Coach picked for you and Marcos,” Carlos said.

Recognition crossed Gwen’s face. “Oh, that’s what happened. I had no idea what Constantine was talking about when he asked me if I wanted a ring or a necklace. I thought they were goodies for the training camp bags. Otherwise, I'd have asked you and Marcos what you wanted.”

“I like it. I’m not a ring person, anyway. Marcos will like it, too.” Ty put his on his plate.

“They’re nice,” I replied. We’d all gotten to pick. Players could also get necklaces for their mates. Did Lucky get anything?

Damien held up his coin, which looked a bit like the front of our rings. “What can I redeem this for?”

Valya studied hers. “One drink at the bar?”

“You are silly,” Carlos’ mom laughed. “I think it’s just a keepsake for those of us who aren’t players, staff, and mates. It’s beautiful.”

Tenzin was examining his coin, a wistful look on his face.

“Are you okay?” I leaned behind Gwen and squeezed his shoulder. Shit, I was an idiot. After having it slip through his fingers twice, flaunting it like this might sting.

“Oh.” Gwen’s face fell. “I’m sorry. It was selfish of me to ask you to come. I just wanted us all to be together.”

Tenzin put down the coin. Turning, he cupped her face with one hand. His other snaked behind her and ran up my back to my neck.

“No, Firecracker. It’s not selfish. Do I wish a little that I had won? Yes. But not nearly enough to not be excited for you two. We’re adults and fully capable of celebrating each other’s successes even if it means a personal loss,” he informed us.

“That’s so wise,” I told him, relishing his fingers tickling my hairline.

“I’m a Knight now. This is my team and I’m happy for their success.” Tenzin took her ring and put it on her finger. “Perfect.”

“Well said.” Dimitri raised his glass.

“You are freakishly well adjusted, Bucket.” Carlos took a drink.

“Well, isn’t it my favorite goalies in waiting?” Analise, the reporter from SportsBeat assigned to the Knights, was there, wearing a yellow suit.

Her eyes brushed over me, Gwen, and Tenzin. His hand was still on Gwen’s, and his other was still on the back of my neck.

Louis Daughtry had stopped talking, but now his dad gave a speech, while servers brought around salads and filled everyone’s glasses.

“So it’s true. I love watching packs form out of teams. At least you three aren’t throwing things at each other like Nakey and Pauley. They broke a camera with their shenanigans.” Analise chuckled. Her look turned serious as her eyes flickered over my cast. “I’m glad you are okay. Did they catch them?”

I sighed. “Not yet.”

So frustrating.

“Question, Ladybug, someone said Bronson Deloitte is your ex, and that’s why that game got so heated?” Her head cocked.

Gwen shook her head. “I’ve never dated a man named Bronson Deloitte. However, he’s a knotwaffle like his brothers and that’s why the game got so violent.”

Ty shot her a look. But it was the truth.

Analise’s look went knowing. “Understood. Now, let me see the pretties.”

We all showed off our rings and pendants and she returned to her seat as we got our salads.

“You have an entire collection now, Mariquita,” Carlos teased. “Is this one nicer than your NYIT one?”

She laughed. “My community college championship ring is better than NYIT’s. The NACA has a limit on how much the rings cost. A low limit. The party, too. While the community college alumni association went bananas, because they’re under different rules.”

Carlos looked away and whistled.

“Carlos.” Gwen took a crouton from her salad and threw it at him.

“What? I had to spend my paycheck on something besides booze and my mom.” Carlos grinned. “There are worse things than giving back to the team that’s the reason I got signed.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. I never even thought of that,” I replied. One more thing to put on the list of the good I’d like to accomplish one day.

“While I remember you being there, I didn’t know you were behind that. Thanks, Carlos. Here, Tens, I can share.” Gwen took off her ring and tried to fit it on the tip of Tens’ pinky.

“Thank you, Firecracker. It’s a perfect fit.” He leaned in and kissed her.

“Get a room.” Castle threw a crouton at her.

Gwen threw a crouton back, then looked at her phone. “Mia’s here. I didn’t even see her. Ty, want to go find her? I don’t like my salad.”

“Fuck yeah. I’m done anyway, and I think I saw Callahan, too.” Ty stood, putting his napkin on the chair.

They’d invited some retired Knights of note so it made sense that she’d be here.

Gwen kissed me and Tens. “Be right back, we’re going to go do important goalie shit.”

“Take your ring.” Tenzin slid it off his pinky and back onto her finger. “Send Cooter a picture of you and Mia? He’s dying to meet her.”

LeeAnn watched them go off, then her gaze settled on a table full of the Ice Crew, toward the back, and she frowned.

“Do you have something to say, LeeAnn?” Carlos gave her a look as a server came around to top up everyone’s water.

“They’re good kids,” Carlos’ mom gushed. “Gwen and Carlos played hockey together. Ty does some design work at my son-in-law’s print shop. Both babysit my grandkids sometimes.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt they’re nice. My mate adores Gwen.” Taking a flower out of the centerpiece, she put it on the plate with a chocolate and her ring and snapped a pic. “I didn’t realize they were… included.” Her eyes fell on Ty’s pendant, which lay abandoned on his plate.

Castle snorted. “Why not? They work hard.”

“Everyone’s included.” Mitchy rolled his eyes. “I think Lucky got basically the necklace charm on a collar.”

“Yeah, I think he did. Okay, not everyone gets rings like this , but pretty much everyone involved with the Knights got rings or necklaces. Mmmm, I guess you don’t think Sarah should get a ring, because she was deemed too pregnant to play before the actual final series of games?” Carlos asked.

“Or that I shouldn’t be here?” Castle dared.

“Wasn’t there a fight that the EBUGs shouldn’t be included? I’m not sure that poor girl in events will ever recover.” LeeAnn’s lips pursed.

She got a little snobby sometimes. Silas, one of our equipment managers, didn’t like her much.

“Why wouldn’t they be? Literally, if we don’t have an EBUG in the stands, the game won’t start. They are ready to go in and play for either team at a moment’s notice. The mascot and the Ice Crew get them, why shouldn’t they?” I glanced over at the table with the mascot and the Ice Crew. Other tables held accounting, legal, marketing, and so many other departments.

Carlos’ mom nodded. “They work so hard for you, with all the practices and workouts and extra things. Not to mention they all have their own teams, jobs, and studies.”

Dimitri gave her a hard look. “That wasn’t the fight, LeeAnn.”

“There was a fight?” I frowned.

“There was a mix-up. The EBUGs were supposed to get the same type of ring as the Ice Crew, only theirs said EBUG ,” Carlos replied. “Someone changed it, so they didn’t get anything. Someone from events was going through all the orders and discovered Gwen had a custom player ring, but the other EBUGs had nothing. Her boss said it was Coach’s call if Gwen could have it. So she went to ask Coach Atkins…”

“Oh, dear.” Carlos’ mom took a sip of her drink.

“Coach was pissed because he wanted the EBUGs to be included, like you know, everyone else who makes game night happen.” Carlos gave LeeAnn the side eye. “Anyway, after much yelling that made me lose my ping-pong game with Dimitri, they ended up rush ordering player pendants for Ty and Marcos and Mariquita got to keep her ring.”

Dimitri gave him a look. “I don’t need you to be distracted to win.”

“Well, then.” LeeAnn put her ring back on. “How did Gwen get a ring to begin with?”

“She told you. Constantine ordered her one,” Carlos replied.

LeeAnn took a sip of her drink. “He doesn’t seem to know much about hockey for an assistant general manager.”

“Maybe Constantine has to learn the nuances of hockey, but it’s clear that he cares about us as people,” I replied, recalling how he made sure Gwen felt safe with me, and how he didn’t turn her in for living in the closet. “He also has a poisonous lizard named Maddox, in his office.”

“Really, like in Doom Squad?” Damien looked over from his conversation with Carlos’ mom and brightened. “Amazing. But seriously, I know something you don’t? He’s a professional fixer. You know, the one you bring in to see why your theater company is failing, or to tell you if your opera can be saved or explain how your ballet can maximize profits. Not sure how he landed himself here in hockey land, but maybe someone has worked with him before?”

“So the Knights are in trouble?” I frowned. That didn’t sound good.

“It could be he’s also just here to be the assistant GM,” Tenzin added. “Several other teams have had a lot of success bringing in managers from other sectors. Look at the Hurricanes. Everyone thought it was going to be disastrous when they hired the former head of a theme park, and a few years later they’d won the championship.”

“That makes sense,” Carlos’ mom said.

“Damien, how do you know all this?” Carlos asked, taking a sip of his wine.

“Ballet dancers are even bigger gossips than hockey players.” Damien played with the coin.

“Well, it’s nice that everyone gets some recognition,” Carlos’ mom said, as a server offered everyone more wine.

I nodded. “I like that the staff gets something, too. Everyone works hard.”

“Ty’s pendant is amazing. I could hurt someone with it.” Damien wrapped it around his hand. “He would have picked it anyway. Also, you know they would have been happy with anything. They could have gotten hoodies that said PHL Champions while everyone got fancy jewelry and thought it was the best thing ever.”

“Yeah, they would have. Coach wanted them to feel recognized. The Knights are proud to have the program, considering they basically started it. Especially since they get paid in candy and T-shirts.” Carlos held out his glass to be refilled.

“NACA rules are so dumb.” Castle rolled her eyes.

They were clearing dishes away when Gwen and Ty returned.

Gwen leaned into me and threaded her arm through Tens’. “It was so nice to see everyone. Vail wants to know when we’re making another skating video.”

“As soon as you’re a little more healed,” Tenzin promised.

I loved the little figure skating videos she made and put online.

The servers brought out the main course, which was steak and salmon with potatoes. LeeAnn’s was vegetarian, but Valya got something like ours, only she had a tiny steak wrapped in bacon, a skewer of shrimp, and sauteed spinach.

“Why is yours different?” I asked, curious.

“She’s an omega. Sometimes at fancy dinners, omegas get special meals.” Gwen looked around.

“I hope Double D and Grif Graf each get three little steaks,” Carlos laughed.

“Probably four,” Tenzin laughed.

Carlos got out his phone. “I want to see Lucky’s dinner.”

“Oh, makes sense. I guess I’ve never attended anything that fancy,” I replied, ignoring LeeAnn’s smirk. Damien had the same dinner I had, so I guess he must be a beta.

Gwen ate little, mostly leaning on my shoulder, as I stroked her hair. I’d make sure she’d eat later.

As we finished, the PHL commissioner presented the cup to Winston and Elias Royce, who were last year’s co-captains, and Coach Atkins. Mr. Longfellow and both Mr. Daughtrys were right there with them. Pictures were taken. There were a bunch of speeches as dessert was served.

Mr. Daughtry thanked everyone for coming and the music started.

“Dance with me?” Gwen looked up at me.

“Always.” I swayed around the dance floor with her, then let Tenzin take over, so those two could do one of those fancy formal dances that I’d only ever seen on TV before joining the Knights.

We danced some more.

“Come on, group picture time,” Kylee told us, rounding everyone up.

We were ushered over to the banner, where the photographer took group pictures of us with the cup. Then we got to take individual and small group ones. I got a shot with Grif and Carlos, then with Carlos, Anders, and Dimitri.

Mitchy joined me as I watched Gwen and Ty join JP and Dean for a goalie photo.

“Are you coming to Dimitri’s party after?” Mitchy asked.

“Depends on her.” I nodded as Dean put Gwen in the cup. She didn’t fit, but it was funny.

“She looks hot tonight.” Mitchy looked her up and down.

“Yeah.” I shot him a look. She was mine.

The party was going strong in the ballroom. The afterparty would go on all night at Dimitri’s. If they wanted to go, I would; but if she wanted me to take her home, I’d happily do that.

“Tens, Clark.” Gwen waved us over to the background they had set up without the cup. “I want another one of the three of us.”

Tens stood behind the two of us, and we posed, Gwen and I displaying our rings.

“Perfect,” the photographer said. “That dress photographs well.”

“No, this is perfect.” Gwen grabbed both our ties, pulling us to her and kissing us. It was sort of an awkward three-way kiss, everyone watching.

But I didn’t mind one bit. Judging from Tenzin’s citrus scent, which was apparently something called yuzu, he didn’t either.

Gwen’s eyes danced. “Take me home? I’m tired.”

Leaning in, I kissed her deep. “I’d love to.” I looked at Tenzin and he nodded.

While tonight had been fun, it was time to go home and see that pretty dress on my floor.