“Everything good?” I ask, watching her sit down with that polished smile, the one she always puts on after dealing with him. It’s like it physically pains her.
“Yeah, he’s fine. He believes it was for show," she says, brushing it off like it didn’t just ruin the mood.
I nod knowing it was absolutely not for show. “Good. Will you come to Canada with me?”
Her brows shoot up. “What? Boone… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? When’s the last time you took a trip that wasn't for work? It’s beautiful there right now.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip, smudging her red lipstick a little. “Not since I graduated from law school.”
“Perfect,” I say, leaning forward. “Then now’s your shot.”
“When?” she asks, a soft laugh slipping out.
At least she hasn’t said no yet.
“Next weekend.”
I watch her do the math, her pretty face scrunching up in thought. Court’s tomorrow. By the end of the day, everything with Cain and the Prescott family should finally be settled and I can go back to my real life. The life where someone else isn’t calling the shots and I get to date Rosie honestly.
“This weekend is our big public fight. The PR team has already planned it,” she reminds me.
“I know.”And I fucking hate that.
“So, won’t it look a little strange if, the following weekend, we’re caught jetting off to Canada together? I mean, the divorce paperwork is supposed to be signed on Monday.”
I shrug. “We’re going to Alberta, not Toronto. No one there keeps up with gossip news or cares about professional hockey players.”
“You’re insane.” She laughs softly.
“Insane for you,” I counter, locking eyes with her. “I want you, Rosie. Come to Canada with me and meet my mom. Let me date you properly. After you get your promotion and I’m done with this ridiculous case, let’s just… be us.”
She chews on her lip again, and I can see the hesitation that’s creeping into her reflection, the wheels turning as she starts backing away from the idea. I can’t let her talk herself out of this. Not when we’re so close to thebeginning.
“We’ve got a long weekend,” I press. “Three days. We’ll leave Friday and be back Monday for your work. No fuss, no headlines, just us.”
“But won’t that be… I don’t know… confusing for your mom and brothers if I show up there with you after we've publicly called off our marriage?”
I grab her hand, threading my fingers through hers and holding on tight until she meets my eyes. “What’s confusing about this, Rosie? Are youconfused about how feel about you?”
She shakes her head, slow and sure. “No.”
“Then that settles it.”
I let go of her hand, leaning back in my chair with a grin so wide it makes her laugh softly again.
“I guess I’m going to Canada, then,” she says.
I nod, feeling victorious. “We can call it your divorce trip party.”
She snorts. “Shouldn’t that be with someoneotherthan my ex-husband?”
“Not when he’s your future husband, too,” I say, my voice steady, certain.
Her cheeks flush, and for once, she doesn’t argue with that.
Chapter 36: Boone
