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“What’s wrong, love? Are you still feeling under the weather?” I ask, bringing her lips close to me so I can kiss them.
Mia melts into a smile that melts my heart right along with it. She kisses me with her lips tasting like cotton candy, but I see right through it and won’t let her distract me.
“Mia…” As I hold her, I tell her seriously, “You can tell me anything.”
She bites her lip and averts her gaze. Then she looks back at me, lips now parted, choking on words as if she wants to tell me something but can’t.
“I’m sorry,” Mia buries her face into my chest. “It doesn’t seem that I can.”
I hold her close and frown, disappointed. “But you told Amanda about it?”
“No.” She shakes her head with vigor. “I… I haven’t told anyone yet.”
“Well, that’s not healthy,” I say, kissing her temple and walking her into the nicest restaurant in that floor. “But it’s okay… Tell me when you’re ready.”
The place has a host in a spiffy suit and tie but doesn’t seem to have a dress code for the clients. We’re seated and handed menus, and as soon as our host disappears, the waitress comes to take our drink orders.
“I’m having your best red ale beer and Mia…?” I point at her.
“A Shirley Temple, please,” she answers as if apologizing.
The waitress nods and leaves, and I just look at Mia, growing more and more concerned. Her fingers drum nervously on the table, and she seems distracted, as if her thoughts are miles away. I place a hand over hers. I decide to stop pushing and give her space. As long as she feels like she can come to me when she's ready, I can give her the time she needs.
Our drinks arrive, and I start to make conversation about other subjects, discovering I can make her laugh with some hockey jokes. She’s been around hockey long enough now to understand most of them.
After dinner, we head back to the hotel. When we get to her room, I stay and tuck her in. I decide to head out to let her catch up on sleep.
Before I leave, I pull her close, holding her in a lingering embrace.
“Goodnight,” I whisper, feeling her warmth against me before heading out, locking the door behind me.
Chapter Nineteen
MIA
After completing my inspection of the Florida Serpents arena, which is conveniently close to the hotel, I decide to look for a place to have lunch. As I handle the rest of my tasks over the phone, I feel relieved that the nausea pills prescribed for my morning sickness are kicking in and providing much-needed relief.
Since it’s easy to get around on foot, I leisurely stroll around, taking in the sights.
The game isn’t until tomorrow, but there are already plenty of fans dressed in the local team’s colors, sporting jerseys, jackets, t-shirts, and caps.
The energy of hockey is everywhere. I wish I could absorb some of it. Carrying the weight of this secret, along with the constant flying back and forth, is exhausting. My thoughts drift back to Ethan last night and how sweet he’d been. I appreciate his patience, but I am still terrified of his reaction. We haven’t been dating that long, and now I have to tell him I’m pregnant?
I’m still trying to wrap my own mind around it.
A street vendor is selling themed goods right in front of the hotel, and with him, I spot a familiar face buying an Iron Huskies flag.
“Ryan!” I call out. As CEO of a sponsor team and being brothers with an NHL player on the team, I know he wants to follow the games when he can, but I didn’t expect to see him here today.
He’s been missing earlier games due to work commitments, often sending another executive to represent the company instead. This might be my chance to tell him about dating Ethan, though the knot of anxiety in my stomach suggests otherwise.
“Mia!” he exclaims with enthusiasm. “How are you doing?”
He moves in for a hug, but I dodge his advance, shaking his hand instead.
“Tired,” I admit. “Here to see the game?”
“Yup,” he nods energetically. “There’ll also be a photo shoot with the players and sponsors. I’m gonna be on the ice.”
