Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 145731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Miles scoffs. “O ye of little faith.”
Ford shakes his head my way. “We’re your wingmen for a reason, Bishop.”
“Because we’ve got your back.” Wesley hands over a card.
I open it with more trepidation than I feel facing a tough team.
But inside is…a gift card.
For a sleigh ride tomorrow night. I turn it over, study it. It’s thoughtful. And for once, it’s not a joke. It’s a real gift for me to enjoy with someone I can’t stop thinking about. “Is this it?”
“You want more?” Miles asks.
“No, but where’s the punchline?”
“We told you—we’re helping you. It’s real,” Wesley says, his voice supportive.
“Take her on a sleigh ride. It’s a great gift. She’ll love it.”
Ford taps his stick to the floor for emphasis. “I took Skylar the other week. She had a blast feeding the horses.”
“Josie and I went the other night. It’s a great date night,” Wesley adds. “We even posted pics for socials.”
Huh. They really meant it when they said they wanted to help. Their tips at the sledding hill were genuine too.
There’s a knock on the locker room door. “Incoming publicist in three, two, one.”
No one says “wait a sec,” so Everly strides in.
“Did someone say socials?” she asks, pulling out her phone as if it’s a weapon trained on me. “Because if you take Isla on a sleigh ride and don’t give me one good photo, you’re dead to me.”
I drag a hand down my face, but it’s half in exasperation, and half to hide my stupid smile. I’d want that photo too.
When I look up, I’ve schooled my expression though. I’ve spent years cultivating an image as a hard-ass. I can’t be Mister Sunshine. “Will do,” I say, since I made a promise to try harder for Jason, for the team, and for my daughter.
But also for Isla, even though it hardly feels like trying. Spending time with my agent’s sister might be the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
“Thanks, guys,” I say, then I turn around and strip off the rest of my uniform as I picture how much Isla will enjoy this gift.
And how much I will too.
39
THE MIND WIPE SOCIETY
ISLA
I call a meeting in the morning at the Candy Cane Diner. I simply have to after the other night and cheering him on at the game last night. I can’t walk around with this knot of guilt in my stomach any longer. I need to clear this weight from my shoulders before our next date this evening.
My brother knows some of the truth. My parents have figured out part of the story. It’s time my friends knew everything too.
Sabrina, Leighton, and Mabel arrive at the booth. Mabel just arrived in town to check out the competition and to meet with Aurora for some bakery advice—she’s thinking of opening her own soon.
Right now, they fill the booth one by one, chatting about Christmas plans, where they’ll be staying, and who’s wearing what to the gala.
Sabrina turns to me. “Which raises a very good question. What exactly will you be wearing to the gala?”
That’s a good question. It’s a great question.
When Rowan went to morning skate yesterday, I did a little shopping. I found a sequined silver dress—sleeveless, long, sexy, and fun. But it also makes me sad.
Because the gala is our last date. The trouble is…my friends think it’s the start of something.
“So…here’s the thing,” I begin.
Mabel sets down her menu. “Anything that starts with ‘here’s the thing’ means a confession’s coming next.”
She knows me too well. And she knows—maybe better than anyone—how I feel about Rowan.
I swallow roughly, set my hands on the table. “I need your vow of secrecy.”
“Obviously. This is the mind-wipe society,” Leighton says.
I take a deep breath. Nerves rush through me. I half-wish I weren’t saying this. But I need to tell them. “We’re fake-dating.”
Mabel’s brow furrows. “Really?”
Leighton cocks her head. “You are?”
Sabrina just blinks. “But…why?”
My stomach plummets, but I nod. “It’s just for the gala.”
“You’re faking it for that?” Leighton asks, her voice equal parts disappointed and intrigued.
“You really can’t tell anyone, especially anyone on the team,” I add, my tone making it clear I mean they can’t tell their guys. “But yes. He needed a date for it, since the team is making everyone go.”
“How did this happen?” Leighton asks.
I swallow past the tight knot in my throat and start at the night of the auction, when he picked up my Holly Jolly martini and drank from the same spot I did and my mind started racing. The Christmas tree farm, when I imagined Rowan kissing me. How he helped with my tree both at the farm, and back at my apartment even though it wasn’t his thing. But he did it for me. And of course the cookie swap and that kiss. “You all saw it. How tense I was trying to set him up with other women but wanting him for myself too.”