Hip Check (New York Blades) (37 page)

53

“Something weird is
going on. Tell me!”

Michelle loved how animated Nell’s face was as she peered back and forth between her and Esa at the dinner table. Dinner was done, and the ice cream cake was just waiting in the freezer. All that was left was to surprise her.

“What do you mean, ‘weird’?” Michelle asked innocently.

“You guys were teasing me and stuff, but in a fun way.” It was true: a lighthearted mood prevailed at dinner. It was unavoidable. But Michelle was glad it also served another purpose, that of easing Nell back into the change of status in her and Esa’s relationship. She took it as a good sign that Nell didn’t seem anxious. Instead, she seemed pleasantly suspicious.

“You were
both
weird,” Nell insisted, “but in a good way.” She scrutinized both of them for a long time. “This is good weird,” she speculated. “Right?”

“You’ll see,” Michelle said mysteriously. “We have a surprise for you.”

Nell clasped her hands together in anticipation. “Is it a dog?”

“Uh, no,” said Esa, while Michelle covered her mouth and coughed to keep from laughing.

Nell looked disappointed. “Oh.”

“I’m sure you’ll get a dog one day,” Michelle told her. “But for now, close your eyes.”

Nell closed them, bouncing a little in her chair. “This better be good.”

It was too bad Nell couldn’t see Michelle quirk her right eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”

“I meant ‘I hope it’s good,” Nell amended.

Michelle crossed the kitchen and removed the giant cake box from the fridge. Jesus, the thing weighed a ton! She was extra careful as she placed it on the counter, removing the cake from its box. The last thing she wanted was to drop it and have the top be ruined. “Your eyes better be closed,” she called out to Nell.

Michelle tiptoed gingerly as she brought the cake to the table, excitement feathering up and down her arms.
Please let her like it. Please let her be happy.

“Okay, open your eyes!” said Esa.

Nell’s eyes popped open.

“We had it made special for you—triple caramel chunk!” Michelle exclaimed. “Read what it says!”

“Out loud!” Esa added.

“‘Nell plus Michelle plus Uncle Esa equals a Real Family.’” Nell looked up from the cake, dumbstruck.

“What do you think?” asked Michelle, so excited she was hopping impatiently from foot to foot like a little kid.

Nell grinned. “Does this mean you two love each other again?”

“Yes,” said Esa. “For good. Forever. No complications, we promise
.
”

“Are you getting married?” Nell squealed.

Esa looked questioningly at Michelle, who lifted her palms up with a jerk, looking back at him wide-eyed. You expect me to answer that? she thought. No way.

“Soon,” Esa answered. He shot a look to Michelle to see if this answer was okay. She gave a small nod of approval.

“But why not now?” Nell pressed.

Esa hesitated.

Please don’t let him say “It’s complicated,” Michelle prayed. Not after promising her they were done with all that. Please.

“I have to search for the perfect ring,” he said.

“I can help.”

“I’ll definitely need your help,” Esa assured her.

He smiled across the table at Michelle, who was so happy she thought she might break out into a dance. Never in a million years did she imagine that this was how her life would turn out. No, there was something wrong with that sentence. Never in a million years did she imagine this was how her life would
start
out, the well-rounded one she’d always hoped for.

“I love you guys!” she proclaimed.

“I love you!” said Esa.

“Me, too!” said Nell loudly. “Now can I have some cake?”

* * *

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Titles by Deirdre Martin

BODY CHECK

FAIR PLAY

TOTAL RUSH

THE PENALTY BOX

CHASING STANLEY

JUST A TASTE

POWER PLAY

WITH A TWIST

STRAIGHT UP

ICEBREAKER

BREAKAWAY

HIP CHECK

Anthologies

HOT TICKET

(with Julia London, Annette Blair, and Geri Buckley)

DOUBLE THE PLEASURE

(with Lori Foster, Jacquie D’Alessandro, and Penny McCall)