“Mom,” I chastise.
“What? I bet it’s beautiful.”
“It’s something. And the kitchen is a dream.”
“Night, sweetie,” Mom says as I reach the door.
“We’re really proud of you, Freya,” Dad adds.
“Thank you,” I whisper, tears burning my eyes.
As I climb the stairs, I can’t keep the smile from growing across my lips. For the first time in what feels like forever, things seem to be looking up.
I grab my cell from my purse and climb into bed with my tea and open our girls’ group chat.
Casey: Good luck today. Let us know how you get on.
Parker: Good luck! You’re gonna kill it.
Casey: How’s it going?
Casey: Has Handsy taken you hostage and locked you up in his secret penthouse?
Parker: Sounds awful…
Casey: Certainly worse ways to live your life than at a hockey player’s mercy.
Casey: Seriously, though, is everything okay? It’s been hours.
Parker: Freya knows she’s only meant to be tending to his kitchen, right??
“Jesus.” I laugh as I get to the bottom of their messages.
Freya: Thank you for your concern, but I can assure you I haven’t been locked up like Rapunzel.
Parker: Damn, there was a moment there where I was hoping you had been. You know you’d be in for one hell of a fun time. The things I’ve heard about Handsy…
Freya: Don’t talk about my new boss like that…
The smile that tugs at my lips as I type that is something else. Happiness like I haven’t felt in such a long time surges through me, and a giggle erupts.
I forgot that life could feel like this. Full of hope and excitement for what’s to come.
Casey: Whoa, check you out, getting all possessive over your goalie.
Freya: Not possessive, I just don’t need to be thinking about him locking me up…
Parker: Oh, she so wants him to.
Excitement continues to flutter inside me as I think about what it might be like to be Rapunzel locked up in the goalie’s penthouse. Yeah, I could think of worse ways to live.
I shake my head. Thoughts like that are not helpful.
Freya: His kitchen, maybe. It’s incredible. His whole apartment was. And the view…
Parker: Damn, the guys are desperate to see his place.
I frown.
