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“Excuse me.” I stare at her, grinning. “I preferdetermined.”
Rory arches an eyebrow. “Stubborn.”
“Focused,” I volley back.
His arm slips up around my shoulders and he smiles down at me. “All the things I like about you, Hartley.”
“Aww.” Pippa grins at us. Her phone is out, angled at us.
“Did you just take a photo?” I ask. Rory’s arm is still around my shoulder.
“Yep.” Her eyes glitter. “Now kiss.”
“Pippa.” I’m smiling but shooting daggers at her with my eyes. She just smiles wider.
“Come on,” Donna calls down the table. “Kiss.”
Rory’s hand threads into my hair. “Don’t be shy, Hartley.”
My face is burning as everyone’s eyes land on us. People at other tables are glancing over because two of the city’s biggest hockey stars and a popular music artist are here. My stomach does a slow roll with nerves and anticipation as my gaze flicks up to Rory’s.
“Come on, Hartley.” His fingers come to my jaw as he tilts my face toward his. He’s looking at me with such intense affection I think my heart might burst. “Pretend you like me.”
I laugh quietly, and then he’s kissing me. It’s sweet and soft and careful, like I’m precious to him.
When I open my eyes, he smiles at me, and there’s a sweet twist in my chest that tells me I’m so, so fucked.
“Perfect,” Pippa says quietly, smiling at her phone.
That’s what I was afraid of.
CHAPTER37
HAZEL
When the serverstarts clearing the table, I scan my mom’s plate. She barely ate anything. A rock forms in my throat, and my mind keeps snagging on that, even as the conversation moves on.
“Rory, what are you doing for Christmas?” Donna asks.
It’s early December, and holiday decorations are starting to pop up around the city.
My heart jumps. Rory and I haven’t talked about it, but Pippa, Jamie, and I are heading to Silver Falls for a couple days. Jamie needs to be back for the League Classic game on New Year’s Eve. So do I, since I promised Rory I’d go with him.
His eyes meet mine. “I’m not sure yet.”
He doesn’t speak to his mom, and I suspect gruff Rick Miller isn’t the kind of guy to dress up like Santa.
My mom gives me a look, lifting her eyebrows, eyes bright.Invite him, she’s saying.
Here? In front of everyone? My pulse quickens. He wouldn’t say no. He’d jump at the chance.
My heart leaps at the idea of Rory hanging out with the family, watching old movies and drinking apple cider while we put up decorations my parents bought before we were born.
I’ve never brought a guy home, though. It would be another first of mine that we cross off the list together. Rory coming home for Christmas would mean something. We’d make memories together, and it would be another tether to him, another difficult thing to let go of when it’s over.
“How are you liking being back in Vancouver?” my mom asks, and I’m grateful we’re moving on.
“I love it.” His hand slides to mine in my lap and gives me a squeeze. “Hazel and I went for a run in Stanley Park the other day.”
