AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But lately, I’ve been feeling like a hot mess where nothing makes sense to me anymore. The life I had strategically planned and envisioned for myself is no longer on the horizon, and though I should be mourning its loss, I feel a sense of relief instead. It’s almost as if I prefer the unknown to the life I had designed so flawlessly. And the person responsible for turning my whole world on its axis is none other than Nathan Wilder.
The hockey player with the sad, soulful eyes.
As I predicted when I first saw him, I knew he’d be in trouble.
I just never imagined that he would change my life so drastically.
But change it, he did.
I can no longer see myself being Cooper’s girlfriend, much less be his wife.
But Nate’s?
Argh.
I’m getting ahead of myself.
I don’t even know if he thinks about me like that.
Sure, we shared a kiss at Piper’s birthday party, but that was a month ago, and since then, he’s been dating Riley.
He did tell you he broke things up with her.
Still… that doesn’t mean he’s interested in me.
And even if he was, I still have some loose ends to deal with. If I start a new relationship with Cooper hanging over my head, it would be doomed from the beginning.
And I want a fresh start.
Ineeda fresh start.
If my idealistic and romantic assistant, Becca, is right and fate truly does play a role in our lives, then maybe, just maybe, this was all supposed to happen anyway.
Maybe Nate was always meant to walk into my office, looking for love.
And maybe, without me even knowing it, he found it in me.
These are the thoughts that run through my mind for the next hour as I walk up and down the beach, just enjoying the cool sea breeze flowing through my hair and kissing my cheeks. I stare at the vast ocean, wishing my mind was as calm and serene as it looks.
After being on the beach for over an hour, I start to walk back to my house, fearing Piper will send out a search party if I take too long to come home. As I reach it, I stop a few feet away and see a familiar silhouette standing on the porch, staring back at me. The bright sunlight blocks my vision, so I shield my eyes by pulling my arm up to ensure I’m not seeing things.
Nate stands tall, looking absolutely majestic in a simple gray wool sweater and dark jeans, with that shy smile of his that always manages to take my breath away.
And with one look, my heart stops.
How could I have ever doubted before when it’s so clear to me now?
I’m in love with this man—irrevocably and unconditionally so.
I love him.
I love him with every fiber of my being.
There’s only one hiccup—I still have a boyfriend.
Apparently, inviting a Boston Guardians hockey player over for Christmas was too much for my starstruck family to handle. Ever since Nate arrived, they can’t stop fussing over him, especially my father. Nate and I barely had a minute alone together outside on the porch before my father took him away from me.
I’ve had to watch from the sidelines the whole day as every family member has gushed over him. Aunts, uncles, and all twelve of my cousins and their respective partners and kids, have all taken turns to get some quality one-on-one time with Nate.
