Page 83 of Breaking the Ice

Will it matter? Will we stay married long enough to even have that conversation? Am I the kind of person he’d want to have kids with?

Hadley and Kendall giggle over my non-answer, and we grab our snacks and move towards the living room.

Evan smiles at me as I sit beside him, the grin on his face setting off a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. He wraps his arm around me and tugs me close to him, our thighs flush. I love it, but it’s hard to turn my mind off and enjoy being with him.

I think it’s time I get my husband alone, away from all the distractions, and have a conversation with him. I need to tell him how I feel.

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

EVAN

Beth: Great news! Our adoption is moving forward.

Evan: That’s awesome! Am I going to be an aunt or an uncle?

Beth: Um…

Evan: Just kidding. I’ll make an awesome uncle. Do you know if you’re adopting a boy or a girl?

Beth: A little boy!

Evan: Congrats. Can’t wait to play hockey with him!

Beth: Maybe. When he’s old enough. Or maybe non-contact sports would keep him safer.

Evan: You already sound like a mom.

Beth: Thank you!

“Thanks again for coming with me,” I say, dropping a kiss to Isabella’s hair. Her strawberry scent surrounds me, both soothing and arousing at the same time. But this is definitely not an okay moment to be thinking sexy thoughts, so I settle for lacing our fingers together. “I know my parents have not been terribly welcoming, so I appreciate it.”

“Oh, unlike mine?” She gives me an impish smile, although there’s still a tightness to her eyes. She worked on lesson plans in the car while I drove, and we’ll get back to Lafayette late tonight. Only to wake up early and push ourselves to the limit. Maybe I should have listened to those guidance counselors who told me not to schedule student teaching during hockey season. “I don’t mind.”

Having her by my side lessens some of the constant tension in my chest. I take a deep breath as we enter the country club where my mom is throwing this party. It’s a Sunday afternoon, but the event is still cocktail-hour fancy, and I tug at the tie around my neck.

Isabella puts her hand over mine, stilling my fidgeting and turning to face me in the doorway. “You look very handsome, by the way.”

“You look beautiful. Let’s go make out.” I drop a kiss to her neck, relishing the little shiver that moves through her body.

“Evan, not in front of your family,” she whispers. But her brown eyes dance even as she says the words.

“Okay.” I hum into her neck. “Tonight when we’re back home, then.”

I have to stop flirting with my wife when my mom bustles over. “Evan. Late, as usual.”

Isabella stiffens next to me. “It was my fault, Mrs. Young. I took too long to get ready.”

My mom gives her a once-over and sniffs, clearly not impressed with the final product. Which is outrageous because Isabella looks hot in the black velvet wrap dress that hugs her curves. I can’t wait to peel it off of her. Her long, red hair is curled in waves that cascade down her back and every time she moves, it looks like tendrils of fire in the light. My fingers itch to touch it. She’s better than Jessica Rabbit or Scarlett Johansson, because she’s mine.

But my mom is swayed by none of this, apparently. Her perpetual scowl deepens. “Great. Evan married someone just like him, who has no respect for time.”

I glance at my watch and frown. “Mom, the invitation said two o’clock, and it’s two on the dot. We’re not late.”

“Everyone knows that family needs to arrive early to help set up.” She lifts her haughty nose in the air, and I sigh.

Isabella steps forward. “Oh, I’d love to help. What can I do?”