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“Sounds like a long week for you.”

Dean shrugged. “That’s just part of the job.”

“Do you mind being on the road?”

He shook his head. “No, but to be honest, I’ve been doing it for so long—over half my life—that I don’t know anything else.”

“I think Victor feels the same way, though I’ve noticed he’s started grumbling more about the away games than he used to. Of course, we both know why that is.”

In unison, they said, “Belle,” the two of them laughing.

They lay there for a few more minutes, both trying to summon the energy to get up and get their days started.

Vivian was just about to make her move, rising from bed, when Dean spoke.

“I’ve been thinking,” he started, his eyes now awake and alert.

She giggled. “Sounds dangerous.”

“It usually is,” he replied, playing along with her joke. “I’ve been trying to figure out what the proper protocol is here.”

She frowned, confused. “Protocol on what?”

He waved his finger between them.

“Ah,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed our impromptu run-ins, but…would you maybe want to plan the next one?”

Dean chuckled. “Not sure that counts as impromptu, but yeah. I would like to plan another meeting.”

“Meeting,” she said, trying the word out. “You realize most people call them dates.”

Dean groaned. “I should probably warn you, I’ve never been particularly good at that.”

“Dating?”

“Yep. I’m terrible at it.”

Vivian tilted her head, rejecting his comment. “I find that hard to believe.”

“I’m not intentionally terrible,” he said, grinning when she snorted. “I think my inability is due to a lack of practical experience. Practice makes perfect and all that shit.”

“Maybe you should be more specific about why you’re bad at dating. I mean, do you go Dutch treat to McDonald’s? Do you fail to shower for three days prior? Do you flirt with other women?”

Dean shook his head. “The dates are stellar. Well planned, five-star restaurants, all the gentlemanly moves pulled out. Although, in the interest of full disclosure, I did once take a woman to a hockey equipment expo because I genuinely thought she would enjoy it.” She stared at him, giggling when he added, “She did not.”

“You actually planned that for a date?”

“In my defense, she was a legit hockey fan whose dad had played professionally. All we ever talked about was hockey, so I figured she’d think the expo was cool.”

“For the record, that may be the least romantic date I’ve ever heard of.” Vivian sat up in bed, tucking the sheets around herself. It hadn’t even occurred to her to pull on some pajamas on her way back from the bathroom, so she was totally naked. Not that it bothered her. She’d pulled the cover over her for warmth rather than due to shyness.

Dean followed suit, sitting as well. He, however, didn’t bother moving the sheets, letting them pool low enough that she could enjoy his “morning wood.” Dean winked when he caught her checking him out.

“Err,” Vivian said, clearing her throat, trying to remember what had prompted this conversation. Then she remembered. “Um, with the exception of the hockey expo, the others don’t sound like terrible dates.”

“I said I sucked at dating, not dates,” he clarified. “I’ve never managed to maintain a committed relationship for longer than just over a year.”

“A year?” she murmured.