Steve nods back. “As long as you’re back by eleven, I’m fine with you going.”
Oh, so it’s eleven now? Funny how the curfew was ten when I was with Reed. Am with Reed. We’re still together, for Pete’s sake. Steve just doesn’t know that.
“I don’t know…” I feign reluctance again.
“Think about it,” he encourages as he edges to the doorway. “If you decide to go, let me know.”
I wait until he’s out of the room before letting my smile surface. It takes a huge effort not to break out in a happy dance. Instead, I slip my phone out of my pocket and text Reed.
It’s a go. Tell W to be here at 7.
25
Ella
At seven o’clock sharp, the concierge rings our suite to tell us that Wade Carlisle is here.
“Let him up,” Steve says into the phone, then disconnects and appraises the outfit I’ve chosen for my “date.”
I decided to go with a wholesome look, so I’m wearing skinny jeans, a flowy gray sweater, and black boots with no heel. My hair is down and pulled away from my face with two green barrettes. I look nauseatingly cute.
Clearly, Steve approves. “You look great.”
“Thanks.” I pretend to toy nervously with the hem of my sweater. “I don’t know about this date.”
“You’ll have fun,” he says firmly. “It’ll be good for you.”
A knock on the door has both of us walking toward it. Steve reaches it first and opens it, and we find Wade standing in the doorway with a polite smile on his handsome face.
“Hi,” he tells my father. “I’m Wade. I’m here to pick up Ella.”
“Steve O’Halloran.”
As the two of them shake hands, I can tell Steve is impressed by Wade’s clean-cut appearance and classic good looks. They chat about the playoffs for a couple of minutes, and then Wade and I leave the suite while Steve gives me a not-so-discreet thumbs up.
The moment we get into the elevator, I roll my eyes. “He’s trying to be such a dad,” I say with a sigh.
Wade snickers. “He is a dad.”
As we ride down to the lobby, I make sure to put at least three feet between me and Wade. For some stupid reason I’m paranoid that Steve might have access to the elevator cameras, so I don’t want to do or say anything that might be construed as strange.
But once we’re in the safety of Wade’s Mercedes, the first thing I do is throw my arms around him. “Thank you so much for doing this.”
“No prob,” he answers. His grin falters slightly. “Did you talk to Val?”
I nod. “She said to call her after you drop me off later.”
His expression fills with hope. “Yeah?”
“Yep.” I reach over and pat his arm. “Don’t blow this, Carlisle. Val is good people.”
“I know.” He groans in frustration. “I mean, before you started hanging out with her, I always saw her as Jordan’s poor cousin, you know?”
My jaw falls open. “Oh my God. That’s a terrible thing to say!”
“But it’s true.” He puts the car into gear and drives away from the curb. “She wasn’t on my radar until you moved to town and hooked up with Reed. And then suddenly she’s having lunch with us, and…” He shrugs. “She’s really cool. And hot.”
“Do you seriously like her or is this just a game for you?”
“I like her,” he assures me. “For reals.”
“Good. Then I repeat, don’t blow this.”
The rest of the drive passes by quickly. I’m a bundle of excited nerves by the time Wade pulls into the Royals’ driveway. I fly out of the Mercedes before it even comes to a stop, which causes Wade to burst out laughing.
“Man, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a chick look this eager to get laid,” he says as he joins me on the steps of the Royal castle.
“I’m eager to see my boyfriend,” I answer primly. “It has nothing to do with getting laid.”
“Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that.”
The front door swings open the moment we reach it, and suddenly I’m in Reed’s arms and his face is buried in my neck.
I jerk away, nervously glancing around the empty parlor. “Is Callum home?”
“He called to say he’s working late tonight,” Reed answers, tugging me back toward him.
Our mouths collide and the kiss we share is hot enough to spike the temperature in the parlor. Behind us, Wade moans unhappily.
“Guys! Stop it! I can’t believe I’m the one saying this, but get a room.”
I release a burst of laughter against Reed’s lips and then turn toward Wade. “I thought you were all about PDA,” I tease.
He pouts. “Since neither of you let me play, it’s no fun.”
With his arm still around my waist, Reed reaches his free hand out to slap Wade’s palm. “Thanks for making this happen.”
“No problem. I’ll be back in a couple hours. That enough time?”
No, but it’ll have to do. “It’s perfect,” I tell him. “Now go call Val.”
With a cheery salute, Wade speeds out the door. Reed locks it before swinging me up in his arms.