Page 11 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

"No, you're good. If we kept at it, our night would look a hell of a lot different. My mom says Talon and I are two peas in a pod—stubborn as can be and neither willing to back down."

"Well, I'm glad I could help your night end on a different note then." He stares earnestly back at me, his eyes searching my own.

"Here. Let me get her." Needing to break the eye contact, I try to grab Layla.

Mac ignores me as he keeps her cradled to his chest. "Why don't you go grab Cal? I'll carry my little bug out." He runs a hand over Layla's back.

I swear my core flutters as if it's trying to orgasm.

Get a fucking grip, Celeste. You've seen a hot man with a baby before.

Yeah, but not one who isn't blood, loving on your little girl like she's his whole world.

"Go." Mac smirks as he pushes my hip to get me moving towards my dad and Calla.

I say goodbye to everyone left at the table, then scoop up my little girl. She snuggles in as I carry her out to my car, where I find Talon coaching Maclan on how to buckle Layla's car seat. It's cute as hell, and I can't help but giggle at Maclan's muttered curses.

"I heard that," I tease as I get Calla in her car seat and fasten her in.

"I wasn't hiding it. How the hell did you do that so fast?"

"Years of practice. Plus, my hands are a lot smaller than yours." I wave my slender fingers in the air, then gasp when Mac grabs my hand in his and slides his fingers between mine, locking them together.

"Yeah, I can see that. Definitely would make those buckles easier. Come on." Mac shuts the car door then tugs me around to the driver's side.

"Thank you for loving on my babies today, Maclan. You didn't have to do that, but I really appreciate it."

"It was my pleasure. Your kids are pretty fucking awesome, Celeste. Where's your phone?"

I pull it out of my pocket, unlock it, then hand it over to Mac.

He adds his number and then calls himself. "There. I have practice tomorrow morning. I'll check about using the rink and let you know when it's free."

"You know you don't have to do that. I know your season is just getting started. I don't want to take up what free time you have. I can sign Talon up for a peewee team."

"Are you kidding me? I can't think of a better way to spend my time than teaching Talon to skate and see you girls." He tucks a stray hair behind my ear.

I suck in my next breath.

His touch lingers as it slides down the strand and then my neck.

"Get home safe, okay?"

"I will."

"Would it be overbearing to ask you to text me, to let me know you guys made it there alright?" Mac blushes as he squeezes the back of his neck.

Holy hell, could he get any sexier?

"Maybe, but you should ask anyway."

"Text me when you get home?"

"Sure." I smile coyly at Mac as I open the door and slide inside.

I wave as I pull out of Ezra's driveway. When I look in my rearview mirror, I see Maclan standing there, his hands in his pockets as he watches us pull away.

Celeste: Home.

Maclan: Good. Sweet dreams, Celeste.

Celeste: Night, Mac.

"Alright, Talon. Can you sit in here while I take Calla inside real quick? Then I'll come and grab Layla, and then it's shower and bedtime for you. Sound good?"

"Okay, Mommy."

"Thanks, baby."

"Ugh, I'm not a baby." My son huffs in annoyance.

"You're always going to be my baby, Talon. Don't you ever forget it."

I scoop Calla up and take her into her room before heading back out to the garage to grab Layla.

"Hi, my sweet Layla Bug," I croon as two sleepy blue eyes blink up at me. "Go back to sleep." I rock her as I make my way up the stairs to check on Talon.

The shower’s going, and I can hear him singing a song from one of Calla's favorite movies, Disney's Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, which makes me laugh since he swears it's a girl movie and that he doesn't like it. I don't blame him for singing it, though, seeing as I catch myself doing it all the time.

I get Layla changed and fed, and rock her before lying her in her crib.

By the time she's down, Talon is out of the shower and ready for a story.

I read him a book and am not surprised when he's passed out before I'm even halfway through the story.

With my eldest and youngest taken care of, I make my way back to Calla's room and get her dressed for bed.

I put a pull-up on her, just in case she has an accident overnight, even though my big girl has been doing so well with not wetting the bed and potty training.

Heading downstairs, I grab a glass of wine then move to the laundry room.

I grab the basket of the kids' clothes then fold them in the living room while I get caught up on the latest Love is Blind.

This current season is just as drama-filled as the previous one, and just what I need to numb my mind to the menial task of folding laundry.

Once the laundry is done, the clothes are laid out for school tomorrow, and Talon's lunch is packed, I go upstairs to my room.

I grab my Kindle off the side table and scroll through the KU store to try to find a new read.

I finished my latest mafia romance last night and am in need of something different.

Celeste: I need a book rec. I just finished a mafia romance. I think I need something lighter.

Daphne: Are you thinking romcom? Small town? Sports romance?

Wren: Isn't it obvious? Bitch needs a hockey romance. Duh!

Wren: You should read one of Pippa Grant's hockey romances. They're always funny and spicy.

Meadow: Oh, I second Pippa.

Celeste: … Really? Not very subtle.

Wren: I know you haven't known me long, but when the fuck have I ever been subtle? Anyone with eyeballs saw the fire flying off of you and Mac. If I can push and nudge you to see what we all saw, maybe I'll gain another sister out of this deal.

Daphne: Umm, maybe ease her into the idea, Wren. We don't even know if she's looking for a relationship. Are you?

Celeste: I'm not not looking for a relationship. I don't know if starting something with Mac would be a good idea, though. What if we didn't work out? How awkward would that be?

Meadow: I have a good feeling about you two. Your auras really mesh well. I think you should give it a go.

Celeste: Alright. I hear what y'all are saying. I'll try and keep an open mind. Thanks for the book rec and for including me today. It was perfect and exactly what I needed. Night! 3

Daphne: You're always welcome. Thanks for putting up with our craziness. 3

Meadow: Night, ladies. Love you bunches!

Wren: Night, wenches! 3

Plugging my phone into the charger, I set it on the bed beside me then pick my Kindle back up.

I search the store and decide to read The Pilot and the Puck-Up by Pippa Grant.

The blurb sounds great, and I vaguely remember the main male character from one of her other series.

I try to get into the book, but my mind keeps pulling me to a different hockey player.

Unable to ignore my curiosity any longer, I grab my phone and search Maclan Ashford.

I'm pleasantly surprised that the first few articles and pictures are of him playing hockey and not his public exploits.

Not that it isn't in his right to be out with a beautiful woman, but for some reason, that's the last thing I want to see when I'm snooping on the man who's consumed me since I first saw him curled up with my baby girl.

Before I realize it, I've gone down a Maclan Ashford rabbit hole, and I'm not mad about it. I've watched clips of him playing, seen thirst trap shots of him endorsing different products, and laughed at an adorable article accompanied by pictures of him at a local "adopt a pet" event.

From everything I've been able to dig up, and everything I've witnessed with my own eyes, Maclan Ashford is one of the good ones.

I know he offered to teach Talon to skate, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about seeing him again.

I'm not sure if I'm ready for a relationship, but there's something about Maclan that lights me up.

He makes me feel like a woman who's desirable and more than just a mom, and that feeling is fucking intoxicating.

I hope I can trust him to keep his word and we'll hear from him tomorrow. If we don't, Talon won't be the only one disappointed.