“I said, ‘it’s okay’. I supposed I could give you a kiss on the cheek for at least trying.” She kissed my cheek. “Maybe that other Russian hockey player could grow a better beard. I might need to find him.”
“But does that other Russian already have a perfectly good beard and love you? Because that would mean I have the advantage.”
“What? What did you say?”
I grinned. “Which part? The other Russian? Having a beard? Loving you? Or having an advantage?”
“The ‘I love you’. Do you typically just spout off that to any girl you’re trying to get to kiss you?”
“This isn’t a typical occurrence, no. I would only say it if it’s true, and this is the only time I’ve said it. I guess that means I only ‘spout off that’ to the one girl I’m trying to get to kiss me.”
She laughed. “Hearing you say ‘spout off’ with your accent is the best thing I’ve ever heard, but maybe you could say that you love me one more time. You know, to be sure I understand it and it didn’t get lost in translation.”
I cupped her face and first said the phrase slowly in Russian before whispering in English, “I love you, Hadley.” The corners of her lips rose in a smile, so I leaned forward and kissed her as if she had spoken the words in return.
I’ve had a beard ever since.
Mr. York’s words run through my mind again as do my father’s. I don’t know if I can be there for Hadley like she wants. She’s still the one I love and even if I’m not the man she needs, I can do one small thing for her. I don’t know how to be without her yet. Until I can figure out all the mess going on in
my head, I want to make sure she knows I still love her and that I care about her.
Chapter Nine
Hadley
I stare at the delivery man as he comes in with two six-packs of ginger ale and four boxes of saltine crackers.
“Thank you.” Even though I have no clue why I’m thanking him. I hand him a ten-dollar bill and he hands me a card.
Once he leaves, I shut the door and stare at the contents on my table. What the hell? I open the card and I almost drop to my knees when I see Luca’s handwriting.
Hadley,
This will help with your morning sickness.
Love, Luca
What the…? I look between the card and the items on my desk. How did he know about my morning sickness? I fall into the chair and study the items. I shake my head after a moment. I shouldn’t read more into this. It doesn’t mean he’s coming home. Even though I want him to.
I pick up my phone.
Me: Thank you for the crackers and ginger ale. How did you know?
Luca: Welcome. I heard it helped, so I thought I’d send you some.
Me: What happened to my big, tough Luca? This guy seems too sweet and thoughtful.
I know that I’m pushing my luck, but if he isn’t coming home, then I have nothing to lose.
Luca: I can be all those things at once.
I stare at the words and I type out my response before I chicken out.
Me: Then why can’t you be a dad and a fiancé at the same time?
There’s a long wait before his text comes through.
Luca: Hope the crackers and drinks help. I gotta go.