Chapter 15
HADLEY
Icount the number of bee-print leotards in the box that was just delivered.
This has been my day today. Sitting on my knees, checking on all the costumes that came in for the upcoming summer show, after my doctor’s appointment for my annual checkup this morning.
Slamming my pen down after I cross off my list, I glance to Isla who writes down a number on her list, as I roped her in somehow since she was working from home this afternoon.
“I think everything is here,” I confirm.
“Cool.” Isla swings her feet to enable her to sit cross-legged on the floor, and she takes a sip from her water bottle. “Did I tell you that Ford said he is sending me to a conference later in the year down in Florida? It’s especially for organizing sporting events, it should be good.”
“Sounds awesome. If it’s near a beach, then I might just tag along.”
“Tampa or nearby, I forget the exact location. Perfect for my bikini that I intend to pack. I actually checked the schedule, and I think the Spinners have an away game there the same week. Assuming you’re still in your wife glory, then you should totally come.”
A line stretches on my closed mouth at the way she said that. “Assuming?”
Isla flicks her hair behind her shoulder and smiles. “What’s going on with hubby? Don’t blame the canines, you two were completely easy and in your own bliss the other week. Thank you too for giving the marketing department enough material to break the internet.”
I begin to pull my hair up into a bun as I recall how Connor and I are falling into a routine.
He makes me my breakfast smoothie, we check in during the day, we laugh over late dinners, and go to bed not to sleep.
“It’s nothing. The hockey game was fun, minus Connor ending up in timeout like a toddler.
You did a great job organizing it. We might even adopt one of the dogs or convince my parents to. ”
Isla begins to fan herself. “Oh my, if you adopt a dog together, this would absolutely blow up our socials. That’s me being ‘trying to advance my career’ Isla.
Your best friend has to point out the obvious…
” She trails off, and I look at her, entertained and waiting.
“You are totally committing to making this work between you and Connor. What in the world changed?”
I slide a box to the side. “It’s more… I don’t know. I owe it to myself to try and make it work since we’re married. But something my dad said made wheels in my head turn toward where we all deserve a second chance, and maybe my brain got fried when we kind of, you know, the other day.”
Her entire face blazes with so much interest. “What now then?”
“He has to prove to me that I won’t get hurt. I’m not jumping full swing in, I’m dipping my toes in a little bit first,” I attempt to justify. My feelings are there, but I’ve built a barrier.
Standing up, I pretend to wipe dirt off my legs, as I’m satisfied that I got through the boxes and can start handing them off to the dancers in the coming days.
“As long as you believe you are making the right move. I mean, despite watching you two over the years nearly murder each other, I don’t think Connor would ever let anything happen to you, not then or now.”
My jaw goes slack, and I touch my cheek as I listen to her state the obvious, what everyone, including myself, has always known. “Anyhow, we’re married and kind of living together, so I might as well see him give his best shot.”
“What is his version of best shot when it isn’t hockey?” she wonders.
My face screws. “No clue, but he texted me earlier that I need to be ready soon, which is fine, as I’m letting one of the teenagers take on more responsibilities with teaching.”
“What’s the dress code?”
My shoulders bounce. “He didn’t say. I’m sure in his mind less is better, zips are preferred, and my purse should be able to fit handcuffs.”
“I dunno, is there also room for the blindfold?” Connor’s voice takes over the atmosphere from where he’s standing behind me. Is it possible to already see his smug smirk? I’m positive he has one.
Isla attempts to hide her smile. “That’s my cue to leave.”
We both stand and she walks by me while I remain frozen, not because I’m mortified—I’m not. It’s because a flutter travels through me, and my heart thrums from excitement that Connor has plans for me.
I give Isla a nod in acknowledgment before I spin on my feet to face Connor who is leaning against the doorframe as if he owns the place, and his mouth confirms the image that I had in my head.
“I’m sure you’ll keep her in line.” Isla snorts a laugh when she walks past Connor, leaving us alone.
“You’re early,” I say, attempting to steady my voice.
He does that move I like, where his eyes dip low, then he bashfully glances up with a suave grin. “I don’t know the rules around kidnapping since we’re married. Is that kidnapping then? Anyway, there has been a change of plans.”
“Oh?”
His hand that was resting behind his back comes up, and I chuckle instantly because a blindfold is dangling from his finger.
“What can I say? You know me so well,” he explains.
Now I’m anticipating what he is up to.
I’m kind of disappointed that Connor hasn’t used the blindfold yet. Not exactly thrilled that I didn’t get a chance for a shower either, but he insisted I was fine in jeans and a t-shirt.
We’re driving along the winding road around the lake, and we are not heading in the direction of the house. He has “Follow You” by Beyond the Horizon on his speakers, and I could see him training to this.
I attempt to meander my gaze to the backseat, but immediately, he tsks me. “Eyes forward,” he demands as he focuses on the road. “Or you get the blindfold early.”
My fingers tap on my thighs. “I have no clues to work with.”
“That’s the point of a surprise.”
I scoff as I lean against the window of the car. “Haven’t we had enough surprises lately?”
A grin tugs on his lips. “This one is planned.”
“Give me something to work with.”
“I can tell you what we’re not doing.” He glances sideways toward me then back to the road.
I give him an unimpressed look. “Helpful.” Nothing is further from the truth, but I’m curious. “Go on.”
That confident look plays on the corner of his mouth again.
“Well, no Dizzy Duck Inn, because that’s your parents’ and my aunt and uncle’s spot, for reasons I don’t particularly want to know.
” I smile because he is so right. “The lagoon is like sacred territory for my own parents, so I can never take anyone there,” he adds.
My smile vanishes, and he notices. “Uh, I mean, not that there are a lot of anyones, just… yeah, can’t save myself there.
” He gives a pained expression before he tilts his head.
“I thought about taking you to the city, looked for tickets to the Joffrey Ballet, but they’re not in season in the summer, except for a public show in Millennial Park, plus we don’t get much privacy in the city. ”
My eyes nearly bug out because he put thought into it, and I’m surprised he even knows where to look for ballet tickets; surely, he must have an assistant who helps him. “So, where does that leave us?” I ask.
“Back to our own place.”
We drive a few minutes more, and he parks off the road next to the woods. I’m fairly confident that we shouldn’t be here, but Connor isn’t one for rules.
He indicates for me to wait a second when he turns the engine off, and I patiently stay seated until he circles the car to open the door.
Connor holds up the blindfold with a cheeky smile. “It’s time.”
I can’t even attempt to give him a scowl because the stirring emotions are running wild inside of me, as there is significance here.
It’s been a hot minute—okay, months—since I was on a date with anyone, and what woman wouldn’t be in good spirits when her husband tries to surprise her? I’m not immune, even I know that.
My hand molds into his palm and I stand, turning on my heel to allow him to wrap the black fabric around my eyes. Connor knows how to tighten a knot, and my brain instantly registers that fact with heat swirling inside of me.
“I didn’t blindfold you on the road because that’s pure hell on the turns, but you won’t be this way for long, although we can keep this blindfold for other activities later tonight if you want,” he casually mentions, and I feel him step away and hear the hatch of his car open.
“Wishful thinking,” I call out.
He returns, and next thing I know he is guiding me. The ground feels uneven and rough, and occasionally I feel long grass against my ankles or I step on a large pebble.
“I have an inkling where we are, but really, where the hell are we? Don’t we need to worry about, I don’t know, foxes or raccoons? The old lady from the grocery store mentioned the coyotes in the area are getting bold,” I list.
Connor just chuckles as he helps me step up a rock. “Isn’t that what you want? You can feed me to the foxes.”
“That was before we got drunk and reckless. You might be growing on me a smidgen since then.”
“I think I’m growing on you a full nine inches,” he retorts.
I giggle, and without notice, he hoists me up and throws me over one shoulder. I can feel he is carrying something in his other arm. Damn, I love his arm strength.
It’s a few steps, then he twirls me around for effect before plopping me down on a spot. I can feel him step away for a few seconds, and I wait, noticing the somersault in my belly and the way my pulse has changed in the last few minutes; it’s eagerness.
His fingers feel like feathers, yet they leave a gentle imprint on my shoulders as he half turns me in one direction before his digits sneak under the cloth to untie my blindfold. “Open your eyes, Sprinkles,” he whispers as the fabric falls.