“Well, let’s hope so because if not, he can get half your business, and you don’t want that. Not after all the work and time you’ve put into it. Lord knows you are way more successful than he’ll ever be,” he said, and she could just imagine him shaking his head.

“Actually, not that it matters, but Karson is more successful.”

He laughed. “Honey, don’t let him blind you with buying that house with cash. It doesn’t mean anything; he’s only a hockey player. Mediocre at that.”

She let out an annoyed breath. “I’m pretty sure I said not to put down my husband. And not that I have to defend him, but I will because he is an excellent, smart player. He is a beautiful man, and I am proud to be married to him.”

“I’m entitled to my own opinion of him, and until he proves me wrong, I will think what I want of him,” he said in a matter-of-fact way. She hated when he talked like that. Like he was so smart while she was a freaking idiot.

Squeezing the edge of the counter, she snapped, “You’re right. But don’t forget, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, and most of them are just full of shit.”

“I’m pretty sure you just insulted me, and I will blame that on your husband,” he said through a tight lip.

“Actually, I came up with that, but whatever,” she said, and she wished she had hung up a long time ago. While she did want her father in her life, the key was small doses. She should have ended this call a long time ago. It wasn’t time to bring Karson into this. She should have never told her dad anything; he didn’t care. If he did, he’d be happy for her.

“Yes, well, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

Putting her glass in the sink, she said, “I think Karson’s parents are going to come down.”

“So you won’t be coming home?”

“No, Karson has already made plans with Regina and Karl to come here,” she said, and the invite was right there, but she wasn’t sure how Karson would feel about that.

“Well, maybe we will come there then, if you have the room. I don’t think anyone wants to spend it without you.”

Oh. “Well, yeah, that should be fine. I’ll discuss it with Karson.”

Her father scoffed. “It’s your home and your family. Do you really need to discuss anything with him?”

She glared. “Since you did break us up, kept us apart for nine years, and then tried to get him benched on his team, ugh, yeah, I think I need to discuss this with him. Karson is a good man, but I don’t expect him to welcome you with open arms.”

“Who am I welcoming?”

Lacey twirled around quickly to see her husband standing in the doorway, looking deliciously wet from a shower and sporting a grin just for her. His shoulders took up most of the doorway, and her insides clenched at the thought of digging her nails into them. He was undeniably sexy.

“My father,” she said, causing his face to twist in horror. Smiling, she said into her phone, “I don’t know, but I’ll let you know in the next couple days so you can make plans one way or the other.”

“Fine, that’s reasonable. I guess I will let you go.”

“Yeah, Karson just got home and we are going shopping before dinner with some friends tonight. I’ll be in touch.”

“Okay, I love you,” he said.

“I love you too,” she said back and didn’t miss the way Karson looked at her. His look told her he was surprised by her sentiment to her father but also glad that she was talking to her dad. She had told her dad that Karson wouldn’t welcome him, but somewhere deep in her heart, she thought he would. He would do anything for her as long as it made her happy. She hoped he knew she would do the same for him.

Hanging up the phone, she set it on the counter before reaching for him. He came willingly, wrapping her up in his strong arms and lifting her off the ground as he kissed her senseless. Closing her eyes, she ran her fingers up the back of his neck into his hair where she held on as she kissed him long and hard. She had four days to collect all the kisses she could to get her through the two weeks without him. She wasn’t going to cheat herself of any of them.

Parting, Karson grinned down at her before saying, “Hey, wife.”

“Husband, how was practice?”

“I think I tweaked my hip, but I’m good.”

“Aw, want me to rub it later?” she said, waggling her eyebrows playfully.

He grinned as he nodded. “That’s exactly what I want. With your tongue. And then I want you to drift to the left and suck me off.”

Heat washed over her as his grin grew. “I can always depend on you to be direct,” she laughed.

“Always,” he said with a wink. “So what did your dad want? That’s odd that he called, right?”

“Yeah,” she said, twirling her fingers in the small, wet hairs at the base of his neck. “He called to say he missed me and wanted a relationship with me.”

“Really? Wow.”

“Yeah, he said he was wrong for calling your coach.”

“So he apologized? That’s surprising.”

Lacey thought for a second. “No, he never apologized.”

Karson scoffed as he shook his head. “Ha, didn’t expect him to.”

That bothered her. Why didn’t he apologize? And why hadn’t she noticed it until Karson mentioned it? Letting it go though, she said, “Yeah, he wants to come for Thanksgiving.”