CHAPTER 19
Arwyn
Z aki’s short road trip to California over the weekend felt longer than usual. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?
Kami picked up the girls Saturday afternoon for a sleepover. The house was so quiet, even with the dogs. I kept myself busy, taking them for a walk along the creek. I finished both Penny’s gown and mine with the Edge game on for background noise. They won 5-2, and I debated texting Zaki to congratulate him.
By midnight, I was still wired.
Uneasy, even. I hadn’t been alone in the house in weeks.
California was an hour behind, time-wise, and Zaki would be up for a while since it took him hours to come down from the adrenaline high.
My heart overruled my brain, and with the dogs on either side of me for moral support, I sent a message:
Great game tonight. You were amazing anchoring that first PK.
He texted back right away. Thanks. Look at you, talking hockey.
I smiled and tapped out my reply. When I framed it as its own language, it became easier to pick up.
Ha. It really is. The bubble popped up with three dots, indicating he was tapping more words. So, watching hockey by yourself on a Saturday night. You sound like a fan.
I wasn’t alone, I typed with a grin.
Oh no?
Nope. Laffy, Vennie, June, and July were here rooting for y’all, too.
No August?
Nah. He doesn’t like hockey.
How do you know?
Hmm. How did I know?
I laughed softly as the answer came to me. Watching players get slammed into the boards reminds him of the time I knocked him over. He’s still recovering emotionally from that .
A trio of laughing emojis was my reward.
I loved that he understood my humor. Most people didn’t.
One game down, two to go, then over two weeks off. You must be excited to spend all that time with the girls.
Instead of texting me back, my phone rang, signaling an incoming call. I accepted and held the phone up to my ear.
“Hi,” I greeted him. “Everything okay?”
“Hey. Yeah. I just—” He paused.
I waited.
“I had an idea I wanted to run by you. I was going to call you tomorrow, since we’re off, but you’re up, so…”
“Spill,” I demanded. His uncertainty made me curious.
“I was thinking I’d take the girls to the cabin over the off weekends, but then I had another idea, because I want to spend the time with you, too. If you want to spend time with me, er, us.”
“I’d like that a lot,” I said softly. “I have next weekend free, since I finished both gowns. But that’s a long drive from the gala the following weekend.” Had he changed his mind about going?
“We can stay until Tuesday morning, since Monday is a holiday.”
“Right, I forgot about that. More hockey lessons, then?”
“And more ballet lessons. You remember I have a studio in the basement.”
I laughed. “I do. Don’t forget to pack your tutu.”
“Not a chance.”
“You’re a great dad, Zaki.” I smiled to myself, remembering how my own dad would go along with any kind of play I suggested. Mom was more down-to-business. She’d taught me how to take care of myself and find purpose in the things I loved.
My eyes began to burn with the hint of tears to come. I missed them both so much.
“Why so quiet, Wynna-bun?” Zaki’s tone was buttery soft. Concerned but interested.
“I was remembering what it was like to have parents,” I confessed.
“Ah. When was the last time you saw your mom?”
“A little over a year ago, when she came home to get the rest of her stuff and sign the house over to me. She’s had an apartment in Washington, DC, for as long as I can remember and decided to make the move permanent.”
“That must have been hard for you.”
“Not hard. Just sad.” I swiped at my eyes with the end of my sleeve. “I’d been living by myself for years at that point.”
“You’re incredible, Wynnie. You know that, right?”
I chuckled at the awe in his voice. “You’re sweet. I’ve just done what I needed to do. Like you. I couldn’t imagine moving to a new continent when I was fifteen and living with strangers. The very thought of it is terrifying.”
“All I could think about back then was hockey. I just did what I needed to do,” he echoed.
I settled back into my pillows. “You’ve created a wonderful life for yourself and your girls, Zaki. They’re smart, friendly, fun, well-adjusted, and able to navigate redirects with ease. Many adults can’t do that.”
“Yeah. I’m proud of those little sass-tots.”
“Sass-tots?” I giggled. “I’ve never heard that one before.”
“That’s what our housekeeper in England called my sisters. Isla and Amelie take it to another level, though. If Mrs. Litherland ever met them—” He whistled.
“I’d love to hear more about your life there,” I said.
“Are you sure? It’s after midnight over there.”
“I’m sure.”
“All right. If you fall asleep while I’m droning on, I promise to forgive you.”
I snorted. “Good, because I heard you can be a bore.”
He groaned, deep and theatrically.
“You sound like a dying moose, Marsch.”
“Your words speak daggers! Oh, the wound you’ve inflicted to my heart! How can you be so cruel as to insult me so? And who told you that? I must prank them appropriately.”
I was full-on laughing now. “I’ll never tell. Start talking.”
He sighed dramatically. “Picture it. A breezy summer day in Copenhagen. My parents were visiting Dad’s family before he had to return to Sheffield for training camp. My older sister, Mirette, was obsessed with The Little Mermaid. As the famous statue came into her sightline, I gave my mother a swift kick—so my dad tells it—breaking her water right there on the promenade.”
I yawned. “Ouch.”
“I’m boring you already, eh?”
“Not at all. Go on.” I turned my face away from the phone as the next yawn hit.
“I was born later that day. We stayed in Denmark for a couple more weeks and then went home to England. South Yorkshire is a beautiful place, Wynnie. You’d love it. Rich history, rolling hills, rugged moorlands, lush gardens, wetlands, birdwatching, castles …”
Castles. I like castles. I drifted off to sleep to visions of mermaids and castles and a tall, kind, ginger-bearded king ruling over the land with the sweetest little princesses by his side, blowing a kiss to an auburn-haired maiden on horseback and whispering, “Sweet dreams, Wynna-bun.”