“What dinner?” I was clueless as to what he was talking about.

“The 12th Annual Wild Kids Charity Dinner.”

That’s right.

“Uh, I forgot about it, to be honest.”

“Well, good thing I reminded you then. You have to be there, Brody, you’re the captain of the team.” Andy sounded irritated, but he usually was when I blew off things I needed to go to, or forgot to sign important papers, or got arrested for swimming naked in fountains.

“I’ll be there, I’ll be there.”

“How many should I RSVP for? One or two?” he asked cautiously.

I didn’t hesitate with my answer. “Two.”

A few more minutes of mindless chit chat and Andy and I were right back to normal, like nothing ever happened. We hung up, I tucked my phone in my back pocket and picked up really cool glow-in-the-dark sidewalk chalk I thought the girls would love. I tossed it in my cart and heard someone snicker from behind me.

“Don’t you think you’re a little old for sidewalk chalk?” A familiar voice cooed at me.

I spun around and locked eyes with Kendall.

“Hey,” I said nervously.

“Hey? All I get is hey?” She strolled up to me, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“How … how have you been?” I stammered, praying like hell no one around us had a camera. The last thing I needed this weekend while I was up at Kacie’s were pictures of Kendall and me in some damn gossip magazine.

“I’m great, I miss you.” She pouted, her hands ran softly down my forearm. “I’ve texted a few times, never heard back.”

“Yeah, I saw those.” A thin layer of sweat formed above my top lip and my heart was about to pound out of my chest. “Listen, Kendall … I should have called to tell you—this certainly wasn’t how I planned on talking to you—but I started seeing someone. The casual whatever-this-is thing we were doing … that’s done.”

She cocked her eyebrow and ran her tongue along her teeth, thinking about what I’d just blurted out in the least tactful way possible.

“Wow. Blaire told me you brought some single mom to her house, but I thought it was just a charity case or something. I didn’t think you’d actually date her.”

Anger coursed through my veins. I was so sick of people that didn’t know Kacie making assumptions about her. I had no problem defending her—I would do that every day for the rest of my life—but it was the small-minded, materialistic assholes that knew nothing about her yet felt the need to judge her that pissed me off.

“Yep, I’m dating her. Crazy about her, actually.” I sounded off. “I’m supposed to be at her house in an hour, so I’m gonna get going. I’ll see you around, okay?” I patted her on the shoulder on my way to the checkout.

“Yeah, probably.” She winked at me.

So far I’d only been able to come up to the inn on the weekends, but I was starting to crave the peacefulness and calm that surrounded this place during the week too. Life was better up here with Kacie and the girls. I didn’t give a shit about the city, or my condo, or my contracts, or my endorsement offers … I barely thought about hockey, for that matter. Relaxing on that wicker couch, under the big covered porch, slyly holding Kacie’s hand while the girls rode bikes and drew pictures with their new chalk was all I needed. This and Diesel, who was sound asleep in the sun at the far end of the porch.

“So … do you like cake?” Kacie asked out of the blue.

“Cake?” I laughed. “I’m a guy, I love all food.”

“Good.” Her smile was up to no good as she turned to face me on the couch. “Next week on Thursday, do you have plans?”

“Do I ever have plans? I do the same thing every day. Eat, workout, shower, eat again, play with Diesel, eat again and talk to you until late.”

“Okay, let me rephrase.” She rolled her eyes playfully. “Any chance you could come up here Thursday and go to a cake tasting with me?”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “A cake tasting? What the hell is that?”

“Where you taste cake,” she said sarcastically, sticking her tongue out at me. “Long story short, Lauren is going to be out of town for a little bit, so Alexa and I are stepping up and doing all her wedding planning while she’s away. One of the things I’m in charge of is picking out the cake, but I don’t want to go alone because … that’s a lot of pressure. Plus, then if the cake sucks, I can blame it on you.”

“Oh really? You’re using me as a shield, huh?” I grinned at her.

“Is that a yes?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

“I’ll do it, but … it’s gonna cost you.” I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye.

“Uh-oh,” she said skeptically as she relaxed back into the couch, crossing her arms over her chest, staring at me. “Go ahead, tell me.”

“I need you to go to another dinner with me.”

Her mouth dropped open and she shot up straight, ready to chew me out, but I didn’t give her a chance.

“Before you say anything, it’s not at Blaire’s. It’s for the Wild. We have a charity called Wild Kids that helps underprivileged children pay for summer camps, band instruments, and art programs … stuff like that. Anyway, I need a date and I was hoping the most beautiful woman in Minnesota would accompany me.” I made sure the girls weren’t looking before I reached over and gave Kacie’s leg a quick squeeze. I started to pull back when she put her hand on mine, holding it there.

“Leave it a minute,” she said, squeezing my hand. Her eyes sparkled as she looked out at Lucy and Piper jumping rope in the yard. She took a deep cleansing breath, and a small smile danced on her lips. “Yes, I’ll go. Of course I have to run it by my mom, but I doubt it’ll be a problem.”

“Wow. That was easier than I thought.” I followed her gaze out to the girls. “I have to warn you, and you’re not allowed to change your mind since you already said yes, but Andy represents a bunch of guys on the team, not just me, so most likely he’ll be there … with her. I meant what I said though, I won’t let her near you.”

She shrugged and smiled at me calmly. “You know what? If she is, she is. If it’s a charity event I’m assuming there will be lots of people there. Who knows if I’ll even see her? And if she acts like a bitch again, I’ll hold my head high like a lady and walk away. Then once I get to the parking lot, I’ll ask you to point out her car so I can slash her tires.”

This woman blew me away at every turn. Last weekend, Blaire pounced on her like a predator attacking a wounded animal, and instead of hiding in the bushes forever, she was willing to confront her again. All the blows life had dealt Kacie had only made her stronger and I was in complete admiration of her for that.

Summer was in full swing and the last few days had been hot and I mean … hot. The poor birds were desperately seeking relief by splashing in the various birdbaths Mom had scattered around the yard, and the lake was as full as I’d ever seen it with people boating and swimming.

After the girls covered the driveway with chalk drawings of rainbows and flowers, they were ready for a popsicle break.