Grammy sat in the chair across from them. Higgins jumped onto her lap, and she giggled. “You’re not supposed to be on the furniture, but we’ll let that slide this once.”
“Looks like you two attended the same dog obedience lessons,” Tasha teased.
Grammy shrugged. “Pets like grandchildren are meant to be spoiled. Oh, wait. I don’t have either to spoil unless you decide to adopt Higgins or get married.”
Elias took a chocolate crinkle cookie. “Subtlety isn’t a Carpenter strength.”
Grammy giggled. “He isn’t wrong. I worried the ice show would be too much for Elias, but now that you’re here, everything will be perfect.”
Tasha’s cheeks turned pink. “I’ll do my best.”
Grammy nodded. “Of course you will. That’s why you’re a champion.”
“Thanks.” Tasha sounded almost shy, a way he wasn’t used to seeing her. “I’ve been thinking of reaching out to some of the skaters I know. See if we can get a headline name to up ticket sales?”
“Ticket sales are on track, so you don’t have to ask anyone,” he said, not wanting her to think she wasn’t lacking or something. Maybe he should tell compliment her. “You’re doing a wonderful job.”
Grammy nodded. “Enough about the extravaganza. Are you single?”
Elias shook his head.
Tasha laughed.
“What?” Grammy asked. “I want to get to know Tasha better. She isn’t wearing a ring, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t someone in her life.”
“I’m single,” Tasha said without missing a beat.
“Interesting.” Grammy leaned forward. “What about your hottie hockey player twin?”
Tasha coughed. She nearly dropped the cookie she held.
Elias cringed. His muscles bunched. This was not the direction he thought the conversation would go. “Grammy...”
Her hands flew up. “What? If I was sixty years younger...”
Tasha laughed, which made Elias relax slightly. “Alek is single too.”
“Well, isn’t that a coincidence. If you haven’t guessed, Elias is single. Says he works too many hours to date. Isn’t that ridiculous?”
Elias reached for another cookie. Chocolate chip this time. “Death by cookies sounds pretty good right now.”
“No more cookies for you. I’m not doing the ice show alone.” As she touched his arm to stop him, her gaze met his. Her hand lingered on him.
Higgins barked.
Elizabeth grinned as if Christmas had come early. “It’s been great meeting you, Tasha. You and Elias and, of course, Higgins will have to come back and help me make more cookies, but you get to practice so you’re not late.”
* * *
Each day was better than the last. Despite nothing changing at work, Elias would have thought Christmas came early thanks to Tasha. He wasn’t big on shopping, but he’d found the perfect present for Tasha. He couldn’t wait to see her face when she opened the gift.
Okay, he wanted to see her all the time.
Elias loved being with her, and when they were apart, he didn’t stop thinking about her. Even though they’d gone caroling with a group from the community church last night, he was counting the minutes until he could go to the rink and see her.
Focus.
Ugh. He sounded like Dad.
