“I want to get it up and running with what I’ve designed so far,” I say. “And… I bought a camper. I know that’s sort of cart before the horse, but I’m telling you it’s a great opportunity to do pop ups. It needs work first, though, so that’s down the line.”
“Oh my god, girl, that’s amazing.” She clinks her wine glass with mine. “I’m so proud of you.”
I relax from my instinctive defensive stiffness, glad that she gets it. “Thank you. I’m nervous, but really excited.”
“Are you still using the same name and branding you told me about?”
I touch my earrings, a trio of translucent resin maple leaves that dangle. “Yeah, Sweet Luxe, for living luxe with things that make women smile.”
“Love that,” Jess says. “You’ve got this. If you need any help, hit me up.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
A rush of motivation hits me. Usually at the end of the year I feel like my life is falling apart, but maybe I’m turning that around with the drive to start my boutique online business.
“Okay, let’s eat,” Dad calls all of us while carrying the turkey platter.
“Did someone get the rolls?” Mom asks on her way to the table.
“I’ll grab them.”
I go to the kitchen and find the basket of fresh baked rolls on the counter. My steps falter on the way back.
Mom and Dad sit at each head of the table. Jess and Benson are seated together on one side.
And Cole is on the other, next to my open chair. He shoots me a furtive glance meant only for me as I take it. Is the same thing on his mind?
Awareness buzzes along my side. I’m acutely conscious of exactly how much distance is between us at any given moment throughout dinner with my family.
He’s shared a meal with us hundreds of times before. I’ve sat next to him.
Yet this is torture.
Pretending I’m not secretly matching with Cole in front of my family might test me more than this old crush reawakening.
EIGHT
COLE
December
When I arriveat the Heston Lake public rink for the first lesson the following week, I’m pleased to find Cameron Reeves is early, too. He’s hanging out by the log benches outside the entrance messing around on his phone.
On David’s advice, I brought this opportunity up at Monday’s practice. Reeves was the most interested in joining me to get some volunteer hours under his belt. They’re not required, but advised to do community service and outreach to give them valuable experience.
It hasn’t been long since I met the players, but I really like this kid. He has a chill vibe, is level-headed tending the net when we trial him as a goalie in practices, and his loyalty to his teammates is admirable.
“Hey, coach.” He adjusts his backwards baseball cap and offers a fist with a lighthearted grin.
I bump it with a smirk, feeling more like an older brother than his coach. “Just you, huh?”
He ticks off on his fingers. “E’s hitting the weight room because Bouch told him his conditioning routine to improve his speed. Keller, Hutch, Adler all have classes. Captain is getting a jump-start studying for exams.” He hesitates, gauging my reaction. Either I pass or his honesty wins out. “And I think Brody’s sleeping off a hangover.”
I nod along, chuckling at the last one. “Sounds about right. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Lombard. I’m no stranger to what college is like.”
I was a fan of testing my limits and showed up to more than one practice feeling the consequences.
“Cool.”
