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“He’s back the day after Christmas. I’ll be sure to introduce you before you leave.”
It makes me wish we were staying longer. I love it here. After hanging out with Mikayla’s family and watching Liam and Ethan play with the kids in the pool, we spent the day exploring the resort, racing around in golf carts and feeling like full-blown billionaires. It’s seriously like entering a whole new world. We’re in this bubble that feels somehow magical. The four of us have had a blast together, and I think this just might be my best Christmas yet.
Mom called this afternoon and met Liam and Ethan. After a chat, they left me to have a moment with her, and all she could do was gush about how gorgeous they are.
“I know, right?” I giggled. “Hockey players.”
“And you’re living with them? How do you control yourself?” She gave me a mischievous wink, and I gave her my best impression of a red traffic light. “Rachel Josephine Beauford, what are you not telling me? Is there something going on between you and Liam?”
I bit my lip, totally giving myself away.
Mom’s lips parted.
“I don’t know,” I rushed out. “We’ve kissed a few times and he’s really nice, and I like him a lot.”
“But…”
“But we haven’t taken things further.”
“Do you want to?”
“Um…” I bit my lips together and seriously must have been neon because Mom started laughing at me.
“Oh, you want to. What’s holding you back?”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not sure. I guess I rushed things with Theo, and it’s making me… cautious.”
Mom nodded, and it suddenly occurred to me that I still hadn’t told her what he did to me. My stomach clenched and I fisted the duvet, hoping my face looked serene enough on the video call.
“Baby, I know you didn’t expect that to fall apart. And I know it really hurt. And yes, maybe moving in with him the way you did was too fast and too soon. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love again. Listen to your gut.”
“I thought I did that with Theo.” I blinked, my lips pursing as I gazed at my mother’s face on my screen. She was giving me that think hard about this, Ray-Ray look, so I did and finally gave in with a sigh. “You know, I did have my doubts,” I muttered. “I just didn’t want to listen to them. I was sad you were leaving and scared to live alone.”
“Aw, baby.” Mom’s smile was tender. “And how do you feel about this new phase of your life? Are you happy? What does your gut say about Liam?”
I took my time to respond, really forcing myself to think it through, to try and listen to my body.
“You know you’re smiling, right?”
I glanced at my screen, saw the grin on my face, then looked at Mom.
“I think you’ve got your answer, kiddo. So you go have some fun this Christmas, you hear me?”
“Yeah. You, too, Mom.”
“Oh, I will. I’m having myself a Jamaican celebration. I’m in heaven, baby. Don’t you worry about me.”
Her joyful laugh rings in my head again as I walk the pathway back to our suite. Ethan’s a touch buzzed, and he’s singing an out-of-tune love song to Mikayla, who laughs and jumps on his back.
Liam walks beside me, his hands tucked in his pockets, while I resist the urge to reach for him. We haven’t told anyone about our kissing yet. All Hockey House knows is that Liam meets me at the diner each night after work.
I’m not sure any of them know how much I like him or how much he wants me.
He’s pretty good at keeping his expression in check when others are around.
I don’t even know why we’re playing this so quietly. It’s just been instinct to keep it all a secret. I mean, it’s not like we’re a couple or anything.
He just hangs out at the diner whenever he can, and we kiss.
