I get out of bed while she stretches and go in search of coffee. I’m not even going to lie. My ass is dragging today, and it shows on the ice when the kids actually beat me. When I walk out of the arena that night and get in the car to get Caroline at home, I swear I could take a thirty-minute nap. When she gets into the car, she looks tired.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,” she says, and I’m thinking that she is talking about the date. “No alarm, no rush no work.”

“You don’t work at the hotel tomorrow?” I ask, and she shakes her head.

“No, it was a quiet week. They only have three rooms rented out,” she says, and I nod.

When I walk into the backyard of my parents’ rental holding Caroline’s hand, it just feels good. Dylan runs over to the kids, and it’s like he’s been with them the whole time. He and Michael run over to the treehouse, and my mother comes over to us. “Hey, you two,” she says, and I drop Caroline’s hand to hug her. My mother hugs Caroline who just smiles and then looks at me, and I can see she still feels shy around Mom. We sit by the pool together talking, and at dinner, it gets louder when Vivienne, Karrie’s best friend, walks in with her husband, Mark.

“Je suis arrive,” I have arrived, she says, and the kids run over to her, especially Chase who she bends and takes in her arms blowing kisses in his neck.

“Ignore everything that she says,” I whisper to Caroline right before Vivienne comes over.

“I have to say I always knew you would settle down with a model,” she says, and Caroline looks around. “She is exquisite.”

“Oh, I’m not a model,” Caroline says, and Vivienne laughs.

“Well, you are doing the world a disservice then.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Vivi.” She smiles. “And that eye candy over there is my man.” She winks at Caroline. “Cheri,” she calls Mark, and he grabs the beer Matthew is handing to him and comes over. “Come meet Justin’s girl.” She looks over at Caroline. “I hope he’s treating you well.” Then she leans in and whispers, “In and out of the bedroom.”

“Vivienne.” I shake my head.

“Okay, fine, in the kitchen also. I mean, in the shower and the couch. Ooohhh,” she says, “the car.” Then she turns to call for Mark again.

He walks over, and she wraps her arms around his waist. She has been around since I can remember and never ever brought a man around. Then she finally caved, or he beat her down, we are not sure which. He smiles at Caroline as they share introductions, and then he walks away.

“Are all the guys in your family hot?” Caroline says, and I glare at her.