Page 170 of Rookie Attraction

I can’t help but smile. Several people pass us in the hallway. It’s killing me that I have to maintain this distance from him.

“I said I would be. Sorry I’m late, there were a few delays on the way. How’s your mom?”

“Her white blood cell count came down, so it looks like the antibiotics are working. She’s not sleeping as much today either. In fact, she’s been awake for an hour, and I told her you were coming. My dad is here, and my brother Will.”

“I can’t wait to meet all of them. I wish it were under better circumstances, but⁠—”

“Sel.”

He steps toward me, but I shake my head as several medical staff walk by. We haven’t seen each other in weeks, and damn I missed this man, but this is not the time for us to forget we’re in public.

“Soon.”

Finn stops short and nods.

“You need to um, wash your hands and gear up.”

“Of course. This is for your mom,” I reply and offer him the poinsettia plant. “I don’t even know if she can have it in there, but seeing as it’s almost Christmas, I thought⁠—”

“It’s beautiful, she’ll love it.”

Five minutes later, I’m dressed like Finn, and we both step inside the room.

As soon as the door closes behind me, Finn places the plant on the floor and turns to me.

“I forgot something.”

“What?”

Suddenly he pulls me into his arms for a hug, and it’s not a bro back slap. I close my eyes and hug him tighter, still mindful of his left shoulder. My brain tells me I should step back, but once we touch, we’re like magnets, and as each second ticks by, I don’t know how I’m going to let go. I can feel the tremors running through his body, and I know he can feel mine.

Then I look over his shoulder and notice his dad, mom, and brother staring at us.

“Let go,” Finn and I both whisper at the same time.

“You first,” Finn teases.

I reluctantly lower my arms and step back, trying to act casual but not liking the loss of contact at all.

“This is Sel Kirkland,” Finn announces as he picks up the plant and guides me into the room. “Sel, meet my parents, Mallory and Peter, and my brother Will.”

Will’s the closest, so I shake his hand first, and then Peter’s, and Mallory’s. Finn steps up beside me and shows her the poinsettia.

“Sel brought this for you, Mom.”

“It’s gorgeous,” she whispers. “Thank you, Sel. May I call you Sel?”

“Absolutely. How are you feeling, Mrs. Baran?”

Her eyes crinkle at the corners, and even though I can’t see her smile due to her mask, I have a gut instinct that it matches Finn’s. My boyfriend clearly gets his eyes and his size from his dad, but everything else is his mother, from the red hair to the freckles, and I’m guessing, the dimples.

“Still tired and in pain but better than when I got here,” she replies. “And it’s Mallory, please.”

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”

“Not at all. It’s not every day I get to meet an NHL superstar.”

“What about Finn?” I ask.