Chapter 11 Sea
eleven
Sea
Istare at my phone for the hundredth time since I got the text from Milo this morning.
“Wear something Christmasy. I’ll be over at one.
” He had another road game, so I haven’t seen him in a few days.
We talk on the phone every night, but I can’t help wondering if a puck bunny is waiting for him after we hang up.
He asked me to come along, but I couldn't bring myself to go. I’ve already been feeling things for him—things I have no business feeling, especially after the amazing night we had together.
Some time apart is exactly what I need to refocus on our original plan and stop these crazy thoughts about spending the rest of my life with him.
Christmas is only a few days away. We’ve made significant progress in fixing his relationship with his sponsors.
Lake said she is close to signing him to one of the biggest deals in NHL history.
The logical side of me is happy—it was always our goal to repair Milo’s reputation. But the romantic side of me, who fell in love along the way, doesn’t want our fake relationship to end.
“What do you guys think?” I glance down at my three cats, each busy with a toy Milo bought them.
That’s another thing—he's become the perfect cat dad for my boys.
“Does this look Christmasy to you?” I spin in circles, making sure they get a full 360-degree view of my red sweater dress and matching red knee-high boots.
The black leather belt at the waist might be a bit over-the-top, but, hey, Milo said Christmasy.
The doorbell rings, and I rush to open it in my desperation to see Milo again. Except it’s not just Milo on the other side of the door—it’s my sister, Lake, and some guy I don’t recognize.
“Hey, Sea. This is going to be perfect.” Lake claps her hands and walks into my house, leaving Milo and the mystery guy to follow behind her. “You were right, Milo, her house is decorated perfectly for a Christmas photoshoot.”
Right. A Christmas photoshoot with his fiancée to help rebuild his reputation. I’d almost forgotten about that part.
The mystery man, who I now realize is the photographer, begins to set up his equipment as Lake explains what she wants for the publicity shots.
“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind.” Milo gives me an apologetic smile. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I was telling Lake after practice today how festive your house was, not realizing she hadn’t seen it yet.”
“It’s okay. It’s a good idea. It will give your sponsors a chance to see you domesticated.” I smile, knowing it doesn’t reach my eyes. Milo will never be domesticated.
“I bought a little something for the boys. I thought we could include them in the pictures.” Milo hands me a Christmas gift bag, filled with matching Christmas sweaters for Bowie, Jagger, and Prince.
“These are so cute, but I’m not sure they’ll wear them. I normally don’t dress them up.”
Milo bends down, crouching on the floor, and starts to dress Bowie in one of the cat Christmas sweaters.
Following his lead, I kneel on the floor and gently put a not-so-happy Prince into a matching sweater.
He gives up the fight when he realizes he’s lost. Milo finishes with Bowie and moves on to a curious Jagger, who happily lets Milo dress him.
Boy, did I pick the wrong cat to dress—or maybe it’s just Milo.
“For the finishing touch.” Milo pulls out three matching red cat berets, complete with a white pom-pom on top, and places them on each of their little heads.
My heart melts as he picks up each one and kisses them. “You’re such good boys.” He praises, making me jealous of my cats.
“Oh my gosh, they look so cute.” Lake gushes, taking the time to look over each of my cats. “They are going to steal the shoot.”
As usual, my older sister is right, and my cats steal the spotlight in the photoshoot while Milo and I play second fiddle to their adorable antics.
The photo of them fighting over a plastic ornament around the room while Milo and I sit in front of the fireplace, holding hands and laughing at them, is my favorite.
“Okay, that’s a wrap,” the photographer calls out, his attention fixed on Lake. “I’ll need you to come back to my studio to go over the shoot and finalize everything. Maybe we can have a late-night dinner.”
A sadness crosses Lake’s face before she nods in agreement. I can’t help but wonder what happened with Coach Halbur and her. She’s been so busy negotiating Milo’s contracts, we haven’t had time to talk about her love life.
With a quick hug, Lake heads out of my house with the photographer hot on her heels. I shut the door behind them and turn to Milo, who seems to be texting someone.
“Sorry about that,” he says as he tucks his phone into his pants pocket. “I thought Coach might want to know Lake is moving on.”
Thoughtful, kind, and sexy as hell—how am I ever going to let him go?
Instead of dwelling on my confusing thought, I do something completely out of character again.
Walking over to Milo, I slide my hands up the soft green cashmere sweater he’s wearing and whisper in his ear, “How about one more night?” I let the words hang in the air as I wait for his reply.
I don’t have to wait long before he’s scooping me into his arms and rushing up the stairs, giving me all the answers I need.