Page 73 of Terms and Traditions

I sipped my coffee again, relishing the boldness and body of the flavour. I’d have to ask Nana about the brew she used because I might have just converted. “I know that.”

Stephanie reared back as if offended I hadn’t suspected her. “I’m not sure if I should be relieved or concerned that you’re so trusting.”

I shook my head, sinking down on the edge of the queen bed. “I’m not trusting by nature, Steph. My dating life should make that clear. But I know you. You’re loyal to the bones.” I forced a smile. “Besides, if you were reluctant to date me because I’m your boss, somehow I doubt selling company secrets to the enemy would have accomplished that bridge between us.”

She huffed a little laugh. “You think, huh?”

“Just a hunch.” I winked at her over the rim of my cup. “You okay with leaving around ten? I know we’re cutting things short.”

“Yeah, everything’s packed.”

“One hiccup,” I said slowly. “Nana’s coming back with us.”

She stared at me. Blinked once. Again. “She… what?”

“Seems she cleared a visit with Liz—”

Stephanie groaned. “I forgot. How could I forget that?”

I frowned. “Forget what?”

“She usually spends New Year’s with either me or Gabe’s family. Since they’re headed to Idaho for the hockey game, it’s my year.” Stephanie stiffened. “And she doesn’t know about…” Her head fell back with a thud against the door. With a sigh, she motioned between us.

“About what? That we were fake but not anymore? I don’t see how that matters.” I shrugged, shoving my hands in my pockets as I approached her. “Gives me the chance to take you on a real date.”

Her face shuttered like she’d donned a mask. It was the professional mask I often saw at work or when she was blocking out comments from her siblings and dad, but I hadn’t seen it around me this week. It was almost alarming to see how seamlessly it slid into place now. “Maybe,” she said quietly, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “See you in a bit?”

Even though we were only an arms-length apart, the chasm was widening. She was inching away from me. I wanted to reach out, rescue her from the spiraling thoughts I could see behind those dazzling hazel eyes. Wanted to push and ask her why she was shutting me out. Why the word real suddenly had her backpedaling faster than I could blink. But I did none of those things. All I said was, “Sure thing.”

Real brave. But I wasn’t sure I could handle any of the answers right now.

Chapter thirty-three

Stephanie

Gabe helped Nash load up the Jeep, and I checked our rooms for the third time. Just to be sure. My brain was running a hundred miles an hour with five hundred browser tabs open. An itchy feeling of forgetting something nagged at me.

Goodbyes were my least favourite part. The veneer of politeness felt more stark in the light of Hiram’s big reveal. Stiff hugs and polite nods were doled out with the enthusiasm of going to the dentist.

Gabe and Ivy’s cohort along with Hailey followed the three of us out to the vehicle, the kids trying to squeeze in as many last-minute conversations and hugs in as possible.

“Steph, is there anything I can do?” Ivy asked when it was her turn for a hug.

“I’m fine,” I lied because the truth was too big to come out of my mouth. My mind was too loud and messy for driveway confessions.

Her green eyes scanned my face when I pulled away. “I know you’re not.” She glanced at the small crowd milling around us and lowered her voice, “I won’t press. Not now. But call me, okay?”

I nodded, pasting on a brittle-as-spun-sugar smile. “Thanks.”

“I’m going to come see you before I go on tour again,” Hailey said, squeezing the air out of me. I loved Hailey hugs. You could feel the way she pressed the love into you. And if my emotions weren’t so numb right now, I’d probably cry.

“You’re always welcome.”

Nash helped Nana into the back seat of the Wrangler. She refused to take the front seat, and honestly, I was too tired to argue and prolong my inevitable loss anyway.

“Stephanie!”

My head snapped back towards the cabin, to where Zara hurried down the front stairs waving a purse. One that looked exactly like mine. Wow, I really was losing it. I knew I forgot something.