Page 23 of Top Shelf

Chase walks beside her in his game-day suit, grinning like he’s never met a problem he couldn’t charm.

“I heard you say favorite uncle,” Chase says.

“No one said favorite,” Reid says.

Ivy sees him and makes a delighted little sound, kicking both feet hard and fast enough that Reid shifts his stance.

Chase points at her. “See?”

Zoe reaches Reid and holds out her hands. “Give me the tiny queen before Chase starts teaching her how to say nachos again.”

“Naaaachos,” Chase says to Ivy, bending at the waist. “Can you say nachos?”

Ivy stares at him, then reaches out and smacks his nose with her palm.

Chase straightens, grin plastered on place. “She loves me.”

Reid unclips Ivy with the ease of a man who has regularly done this with one-handed while making coffee with the other, and she goes to Zoe easily, immediately grabbing one of her earrings.

“Gentle, baby girl,” Zoe coos.

Chase watches the entire exchange with a look I have seen many times before. On the ice, after a clean goal and in the locker room after a win. At brunches when Zoe laughs at something he says and he forgets everyone else exists. He wants a life with her so badly it is visible all over his face.

Zoe catches him looking. “Careful, Walton. You stare at me like that for too long, people will start asking questions.”

“I love questions.”

“Hm, well you sure love avoiding the specific one I keep giving you opportunities to ask.”

Reid looks at me. “We should leave.”

I nod. “Yes.”

Chase points at Zoe. “For the record, I’m not avoiding.”

“For the record, the jewelry market remains open.”

He grins, but it shifts at the edges. “You like expensive things.”

Zoe laughs, kisses Chase quickly, then turns toward the family room with Ivy. “Score a goal, make good choices, and don’t make any grand statements during press afterward.”

“One of those is unrealistic!” Chase calls after her.

She doesn’t turn around. “I know!”

I watch her go with Ivy’s little head tipped against her shoulder, and Reid’s eyes following them. Ivy waves over Zoe’s shoulder, her sticky fingers opening and closing, and all three of us wave back.

When they disappear into the family room, Reid turns his attention on me. I know that look. It means he has information, and he has decided to enjoy himself.

“Carina said Heidi arrived at the clinic on your bike yesterday.”

I keep my face still. “She needed a ride.”

“She hates motorcycles.”

“Yes, but she was late.”

“She hates being rescued too.”