He flips it open. I gasp again. The ring is a white gold band with tiny diamonds studding it. In the center is a huge, round-cut diamond. It’s simple but stunning. Carlie’s going to love it. I look up at Law, and my heart warms at the happiness in his expression. He’s so excited to marry Carlie, the love of his life, and I’m excited for him.
A little pang shoots through my chest, reminding me that I’ll be losing him even more. I push it away. I want this for him.
Don’t get stuck in those moments, Ivy, I tell myself in my best inner-life-coach voice. My past relationships taught me things about myself and the kind of partnership I want, and that’s what I need to focus on. Not how I wish I had someone to put a ring on my finger.
“Oh my gosh,” I whisper, mesmerized by the ring. “Are you proposing this weekend?” Excitement rises in me that I get to witness such a special moment between them.
Law kills it with a confused frown. “No. In a couple weeks, after our first playoff game. Ava and Gabriella are helping me do a whole thing on the field. T-shirts and everything.” He chuckles.
That little pang returns, harder to push away, because someone else helped him plan this. He didn’t even talk to me about it until just now. It’s a sign of how much our friendship has changed.
I force a laugh, because Ireally amhappy for him. “Why did you bring it all the way to Denver, then?”
He tilts his head, his expression sayingobviously. “I wantedyou to see it.” He snaps the box closed and puts it in his pocket. “Besides, I like looking at it too.” I can’t help the way my eyebrow rises at that, and Law waves a hand at me. “It’s like a symbol of how I get to be with her for the rest of my life. I can’t wait for that.”
My jealous feelings mostly dissipate at the thought that he brought the ring here just to show me. It’s sweet. “That’s awesome, Law. It really is.” I don’t fight the temptation to reach over and squeeze his hand this time. This is a connection moment, and it’s okay. He squeezes back and then pulls away with a smile. I fold my hands together in my lap.
On the drive to the hotel, Law and I fall into comfortable conversation about the plans Law has made for his friends for the football game on Christmas Day (reassuring me about the warm suite again) and the dinner we’re going to do on Christmas after the game. His neighbor and friend, Chad Harrell, is also already here with his girls, taking a much-needed break from his busy life as a trauma surgery consultant. It’s the first time since his wife left that Chad has taken vacation days and left Houston.
“Mmm,” I say when Law tells me. “He probably could use a much longer vacation than a few days here in Denver.”
Law grunts in agreement. “I think it’s easier not to think about Shelby when he’s on the go twenty-four-seven.” He shrugs. “He’s gotten better since Carlie accidentally accused him of killing his wife.” He grimaces.
I cringe with him. Carlie’s back in therapy after what happened, but I like to check in with her from time to time too about how she let her worries get away with her last fall. She’s doing better too.
We pull up in front of the hotel. It’s not one of the big chains, though. It’s a smallish building that gives off a cozy vibe. I like it. It’s four or five stories and red brick. There’s a green awning out front that the SUV parks in front of. There are small, lit Christmas trees flanking the doorway, and a huge wreathbedecks the front door. It’s charming, and I smile as I admire the entrance.
Law catches me staring. “Coach’s wife thought we should stay somewhere out of the way with our families since it’s Christmas. Basically everyone in the hotel is connected to the Pumas.”
“I love it.”
The driver grabs my carry-on from the trunk, but Law takes it before he goes inside, tipping the driver and then leading the way.
The lighting is low in the lobby, with more Christmas trees scattered around the comfy furniture in various groupings. Each tree is unique, with different themes and colors, and as I check out one nearby, I see it has a tag on it.Decorated by the family of Kay (Day Shift Manager).I look all around me with new eyes, enchanted with the trees. It makes the lobby the kind of space that guests can come down and hang out in and feel right at home. Like they’re sitting next to a tree their family might have decorated. Blinking red and green lights outline a huge fireplace, roaring with a crackling gas fire behind a glass screen, and the smell of cinnamon and cloves dances lightly through the air. Quiet laughter sounds from one corner, and I look around to see a handful of people sitting and chatting.
“Mr. Law!” a voice cries, followed by another: “It’s Mr. Law!”
“Great disguise,” I mutter as Scarlett and Zoey Harrell, Chad’s girls, barrel toward us. “Really fooled a couple of preschoolers.”
“Scarlett’s in kindergarten,” he replies, and I snort with laughter.
Even though the girls are probably too big to carry around at five and three respectively, Law scoops them both into his arms when they reach him. To be fair, they’re both tiny, with wavy blond hair like their mom’s. They giggle and throw their arms around Law’s neck. They loved him when I left Houston last July, but clearly they’ve spent more time around him since then.Carlie is their nanny, so I’m sure he hangs out with them when she’s working.
I glance around to see Chad making his way toward us.
“Hey, Chad,” Law greets him, and Chad nods, cringing at the motion. I don’t know if it’s the lighting of the room, with all the Christmas decorations, but he looks a little green.
“You okay?” I ask quietly, peering at him.
“Migraine,” he says. “Started coming on when we landed last night and has gotten worse. I’ll be fine.” He closes his eyes and reaches out to a nearby chair to steady himself.
Law and I share a look. Carlie was supposed to be in Denver by now, and I’m betting Chad wishes she was here to help.
He forces a gruesome-looking smile and waves at me. “Welcome to Denver, Ivy. How did Law convince you to spend Christmas here instead of somewhere nice and warm?”
It was easy. Since my mom passed away when I was a kid, Christmas has never been the big deal that other families make it. My dad is working right up until Christmas and then the day after. There was no point in sticking around Nashville for an awkward dinner with just the two of us.
“I haven’t seen Law and Carlie in months,” I say to Chad, keeping my voice low and chill so it doesn’t aggravate his headache.
