by Ellis, Aven
I look around the table and take in the Johansson family once again. His mom, Dana Johansson, has the olive skin, the dark hair, the same brown eyes that Nate and his sister have. She greeted me warmly upon introduction, and I instantly felt at ease with her.
I shift my attention to Nate’s father, Mike Johansson, who is all stereotypically Swedish in appearance, with a full head of wavy blond hair and blue eyes. Nate told me he played tennis at the University of Minnesota, and he still has that athletic build to him.
My thoughts are interrupted when I feel Nate’s fingers locate my hand underneath the table, and he laces them through mine. I glance at him, and he’s smiling at me, and I feel my nerves relax a bit in response.
“It’s so nice to be together again,” Mrs. Johansson continues, smiling with affection at Nate. “I’ve missed this so much.”
“I have too, Mom,” Nate says.
“It’s been hard for us to get our heads around the fact that your life is here now,” Mr. Johansson admits.
I hear the longing in their words. I can’t imagine how hard this has been on all of them. Unlike most professional players, Nate never left home. He grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, played at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and was drafted by the hometown Black Bears. They’ve always had him around, and being the close-knit family that they are, that was a lot.
Until now.
And only because of Megan’s affair did Nate have to leave.
“But I’ve found things in Dallas I never would have found back home,” Nate says, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m playing with Harrison Flynn, the best player in the game. I have a chance to win a championship. This is a better locker room than the Black Bears, that is for damn sure. And you saw the facility today, it’s state of the art in what it has to offer. The Demons are one of the most profitable teams in the league, and they aren’t afraid to spend money to keep building their dynasty.”
My heart fills with joy. Nate’s truly embraced Dallas as his destiny. Just like Nathan in The Last Samurai, he’s found the place that has healed his soul.
“Son, if you had to leave, you couldn’t have landed in a better place,” Mr. Johansson says. “After being here with you today, I know this is right for you.”
“Dad, I’m meant to be here, I see that so clearly now,” Nate says with conviction. Then, to my surprise, he lifts my hand from underneath the table and brings it to his lips. “And a lot of that has to do with this woman right here.”
And in front of his whole family, he places a gentle kiss on my hand, his eyes nowhere but on mine.
“Now, this is what we didn’t expect,” Mrs. Johansson says.
I turn toward her and see that she’s smiling at me.
“I know you didn’t,” Nate says, laughing. “I was so done. With everything. Or so I thought.”
“Kenley,” Mrs. Johansson says, directing her attention to me, “when Nate first started talking about you, we were stunned. Nate had sworn off women.”
“Yes, you did say that,” Holly interjects, her eyes sharply focused on me. “Very emphatically, I might add.”
Nate grins easily. “I didn’t plan on meeting Kenley. Complete game changer for me.”
And with those words, my nervousness evaporates. Nate places my hand on the sleek wood table, his hand wrapped over it, almost like a statement. That his life is here now, and I’m a part of it.
And in that moment, I know we’re done with baby steps.
I look down at his strong hand over mine and feel tears prick my eyes.
He’s telling his family tonight he’s serious about me.
“I knew something was up when he first brought you up, Kenley,” Mr. Johansson says, his eyes twinkling at me. “First, that he brought up any woman, but it was the way he talked about you that tipped his hand.”
Now I know I’m beaming.
“I’m curious, what exactly did this one say about me?” I ask, nodding in the direction of Nate as my confidence returns.
Mrs. Johansson laughs. “What didn’t he say is more like it. I feel like I know you already,” she says. “And did you know he told us on Connectivity Video Connect about you the very day of that photo shoot where you two met? Here we are, expecting to hear all about his experience on the shoot he’s doing and all of a sudden, he’s talking about this strong woman he met with the most fascinating career.”
I turn my attention to Nate, who appears sheepish.
“Don’t give me up here now, Mom,” he says good-naturedly.
“No, feel free to totally give him up,” I tease, which makes everyone laugh.
Everyone except for Holly, that is.
Our server appears, ready to take drink orders. Nate takes a moment to study the wine list, and selects two bottles of wine for the table, both reds.
“I also want to order some starters,” Nate says, scanning the menu.
“Yes, Mr. Johansson,” the server says. “What would you like this evening?”
“I’d like some grilled calamari, chilled prawns, and the roasted Texas quail,” he says.
“Excellent choices, sir.” The server disappears to place the order.
“Texas quail?” Holly asks, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
“That’s in honor of my girl,” Nate says.
My heart leaps from the way he’s gazing at me.
I love you so much, I think happily.
I glance back at Holly, who is studying us closely. A look of disgust filters briefly across her face, and I know it’s going to be a long road to win her over.
“So, Kenley, you’re a native Texan, right?” Mrs. Johansson asks.
“Yes, I am,” I say. “I was born here, grew up here, and went to school here at TCU. Nate and I are very much alike in that sense.”
“Except you’re still at home and Nate’s not,” Holly says, not even lifting her eyes from the menu.
“I’m just behind schedule, Holly,” Nate says easily. “Kenley did her culinary studies in Europe while I was starting out with the Black Bears.”
“So you studied in Europe?” Mrs. Johansson asks with interest.
“I was accepted into a program in Switzerland,” I explain. “And I studied Swiss Pastry and Chocolate Arts. Then I did an apprenticeship in Belgium at a chocolate boutique in Brussels. My whole goal was to learn as much as I could while I was there, so I traveled around on my days off to see different chocolate makers and museums, to absorb as much knowledge as possible.”
“She’s a chemist, artist, and educator all rolled into one,” Nate says. “I had no idea how much science is in chocolate making until Kenley showed me.”
I smile when I hear the pride in Nate’s voice.
“You run your own company, right?” Holly says, glancing up at me.
I take a sip of my ice water. “Yes, I do. I own Confection Consultations, and I advise professionals on industry trends and source products for them. I also consult on confections for home parties, weddings, and special occasions. This hotel is one of my clients, actually.”
“That’s why we came here,” Nate adds. “I was hoping to get a discount tonight because she’s improved their dessert menu.”
Everyone laughs, and I blush from Nate’s compliment.
“You’re young to start your own company,” Holly says, continuing her line of questioning.
I pause for a moment before answering. She’s trying to get at me, I know she is.
But I won’t let her.
The server returns with the wine for Nate to test, and I’m silent while he goes about the process. After we are all poured a glass, I continue.
“I’m a young businesswoman,” I say. Then I go ahead and tell her what she wants to know. “I’m lucky that my fat
her believed in my vision and supported my business plan. I’ve borrowed the money from him for the first few years, because I don’t anticipate making a profit in the beginning, but I have a plan to pay him back once I’ve turned Confection Consultations into a successful venture.”
I look directly at her, not ashamed of having the good fortune to be put in this position. Yes, my father is backing me, but I also plan to be successful and return every dime he’s invested in me, no different than I would a bank loan.
Holly continues to study me. “Must be nice.”
I feel Nate’s hand flinch over mine. “Just as nice as a brother who is fronting the bill for your degree at Northwestern, right?”
I can tell she didn’t expect Nate to disclose that bit of information to me.
“Both of you girls are incredibly blessed with support from family, which I think is wonderful,” Mrs. Johansson says easily. She pauses to take a sip of her wine. “Now, Nate, tell me more about this wine, because it’s lovely.”
Nate doesn’t say anything. I can feel the tension in his body about Holly’s remark. But his reaction tells me he’s going to defend me to his family. He loves his sister—being around him for five minutes you know how close he is to her—but this also tells me that I have a special place in his heart, too, if he’s willing to push back on her like he just did to protect me.
Which makes me love him even more.
Then I focus on Holly, and once again, determination fills me.
I will win you over, Holly Johansson. I don’t care how long it takes. Because you matter to Nate, I will find a way to show you how much he matters to me.
And tomorrow night, when we’re all in the suite watching Nate play, I plan to get her alone and prove just that.
Chapter 29
Glaze: A glossy coating for food — Kenley
“That’s the end of the Second Period, with your Dallas Demons leading the Baltimore Blades 1-0,” the PA announcer says.
I exhale in my seat in the private suite Nate has rented for his family tonight at the Premier Airlines Arena. So far, the only score in the game is from the Demons’ second line, and the Blades have played a very physical game. Nate took a stick up to the face right before the period ended, and on the Jumbotron I saw a cut underneath his left eye that the Demons’ trainers were attending to on the bench.
“Were you holding your breath?” Mr. Johansson asks.
I smile at the amused expression on his face. “I guess I was. It’s hard for me to see him get hit.”
“Nate’s tough,” Mrs. Johansson adds. “Don’t worry about him.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Mr. Johansson adds. “Most of the time it’s not serious.”
I can’t imagine ever getting used to seeing Nate get injured or slammed into the boards, but I know I need to.
Because I hope with all my heart to marry this man one day, and this is part of his life.
Which means hockey—and its dangers—will be a part of my life, too.
“I’m going to get a drink,” Holly announces. “Does anybody need anything?”
Everyone says they are good, and I watch as Holly goes to the kitchen part of the suite. I had ordered dinner for us, and an assortment of beers, wines, and soft drinks, too.
Now I can talk to her alone, I think as she picks up a Coke. Now is the time to make an inroad with her.
“Excuse me,” I say to Nate’s family, “I’ll be right back.”
I move to the back of the suite and stand next to Holly. I reach for a plastic cup with a Dallas Demons logo on it and fill it with ice.
“Holly?” I ask.
Holly shifts her gaze to me. “Yeah?”
“I know you have reservations about me,” I say, getting straight to the point. “But I want to assure you that I care about Nate. I will never, ever hurt him, you have my word on that.”
If she’s surprised by my bluntness, she doesn’t show it.
Holly puts down her Coke and gives me her full attention. “I’ve heard this before, you know. From Megan.”
I set my cup on the countertop. “I’m not Megan.”
“I know you’re not,” Holly says firmly. “But you’re another beautiful woman who has entered Nate’s life, another one who has him wrapped around her finger. I’m sorry, I really am, but I’m going to be painfully honest with you. How can he possibly be ready to be with you when he’s still getting over Megan? It’s what, October? He was destroyed in April, Kenley. Destroyed. And suddenly he’s over that and the love he had for Megan?”
I shake my head. “He’s not in love with Megan anymore.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s in love with you, either.”
My stomach tightens with that accusation. After all, Nate hasn’t said those words to me.
And he might not be in love with you in that way, my heart whispers.
“I mean, if he is, why hasn’t he said that to us? Unless he hasn’t said that to you yet,” Holly says slowly, sounding like she’s compiling evidence for her case.
My stomach lurches further as she hits the nail on the head. But I refuse to overthink this. I know what Nate feels, even if he hasn’t said it. I’m right this time. I am.
“I know what we have,” I say with resolve, shoving my doubts out of my head. “And I know how I feel about Nate.”
“Megan assured us of the same thing,” Holly counters. “She had all of us fooled. She was nothing more than a husband-hunting Puck Slut, who set her sights on Patrick once he was out of his relationship.”
“Is that what you think I am?” I ask. “Another pretty Puck Slut looking for a husband?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, you just did.”
I glance over at his family, who luckily can’t hear us over the loud PA system. Then I give my full attention to Holly.
“I appreciate the fact that you love Nate so much. I love my sister the same way,” I say, my voice firm. “But you don’t know me. You don’t know what I have with Nate.”
“What you’re ignoring,” Holly says, her voice taking on an edge, “is how well I know my brother. We tell each other everything. He fell for Megan hard and fast, and I knew what he was thinking each step of the way because he told me. If he’s truly in love with you, Kenley, why don’t I hear these things from him?”
A twinge of doubt ripples through me. But then I think of Nate, of what we have, and I refuse to let insecurity enter into my heart.
“Did you ever think Nate is approaching this differently because of what happened with Megan?” I ask. “You know better than anyone how devastated he was. How his heart was torn apart. How he vowed never to let anyone inside again. Holly, he’s approached our relationship differently because of that. And that might even include what he tells you.”
Then I see it. For the first time, I see Holly is considering what I’m saying. Her face softens for a moment.
But then her eyes grow intense again.
“I don’t think he would change what he tells me,” Holly says defiantly. “And you have no idea how much he loved Megan. Sure, he’s talked about you, Kenley. But not like how he talked about Megan. He incorporated her into the life of the team and his family immediately because he was so in love with her. And I don’t see that with you. And I know that has to be because he has doubts about you.”
I feel as though she has landed a physical punch, as the WAGS suite flashes through my mind again. So Megan was in the suite with the other Black Bears wives and girlfriends immediately, but he has elected to keep me away from the Demons’ WAGS?
No. There’s a reason Nate is treating our relationship differently. I know there must be, and I don’t believe it has anything to do with Nate having doubts about me.
“Nate has his reaso
ns for approaching us differently,” I say firmly. “Because I’m not Megan. I’m not a carbon copy of her. And I will never, ever, cheat on your brother or hurt him in any other way.”
“I’ve heard this before!” Holly hisses, anger plainly visible on her beautiful face. “Megan came into our lives, all sunshine and light and taking me shopping and wanting to read my manuscripts. She stood in our kitchen and made cookies with my mom at Christmas. She joked with my dad and calling him her ‘other father.’ Megan acted like Nate was her world, and he hung on her every word. We made her a part of our family. And then she crushed all of us with betrayal. I won’t have this happen to us again, I won’t!”
Holly’s words hit me full force. This isn’t only about Nate. It’s about Holly becoming attached to Megan, and feeling the betrayal on her own personal level, too.
“I’m not Megan,” I say firmly. “And if you need me to repeat it a thousand times I will. I’m Kenley. I’m not another beautiful woman trying to latch on to your brother’s fame or his wallet. And I know the betrayal you feel in your heart because my father cheated on my mother. The last thing I would ever do on earth is inflict that kind of pain on another family.”
Holly’s eyes widen, and I see a shocked expression pass over her face.
“What . . . you’ve been through this?”
I swallow hard before continuing. “My parents’ marriage ended over an affair. So yes, I’ve been through the fallout from cheating, Holly. And I would never, ever do that to another human being, let alone Nate.”
Now Holly looks as though she’s been punched. And with the haunted expression in her eyes, I know she’s seeing me, the inside me. Not the exterior Kenley, the beautiful blond who has appeared in her brother’s life, but Kenley, the woman whose family fell apart because of cheating, the woman who has suffered the same pain that she has.
