Page 79 of Love in Fine Print

I suddenly felt like such an asshole. Why hadn’t I realized this was the first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her?

“Did you have any special holiday traditions with her?” I asked.

“Not really. I wish we had. Growing up, she cooked, and I watched football or played video games. Then once I started playing, she usually flew out for the games and we’d eat at the hotel. I took for granted that she would always be there.”

I nodded.

“What about you? Besides the mission, do you have any other special traditions?”

“Um, well for the past ten years on Christmas Eve, Trevor and I go on a Christmas Tree Selfie Hop.”

“A what?”

“We go around to all the Christmas trees in the city and take selfies in front of them. And then I go have dinner with Uncle Mort at Bay View. That’s what I always did with my dad, too. We used to go over to Uncle Mort’s for dinner every Christmas Eve, and when we got home, Dad would let me open one present. And then on Christmas, we usually played board games and watched movies.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Yeah, it was.” I felt myself getting emotional, once again, remembering my dad.

Ben reached across the console, placed his hand on my thigh, and squeezed. Just like the hug in the kitchen, it wasn’t for anyone’s benefit. It was just a gesture of support. And it felt good. Really good. Instead of removing it, I placed my hand over his, and left it there for the rest of the drive home. Neither of us acknowledged it, we made small talk about the day and some of the people we’d interacted with. I knew that this sort of affection was a slippery slope that might end up causing me more pain in the long run. But in that moment, it was a risk I was willing to take.

34

BEN

“Are you Ben Whitaker?”A kid with a Marauder’s hoodie and beanie who looked to be about fifteen asked as I walked up the street to the restaurant where Olivia’s holiday party was being held.

“I am.”

His eyes lit with excitement. “Can I get a selfie?”

“Sure.”

“Sick,” he enthused. The lanky teen took out his phone, held out his arm, and snapped several pics. “Hey, I heard you might come out of retirement.”

“Did you?”

“Yeah, I heard you’re going to sign with the Wolves to play with Declan Steele?”

Declan was having a good season with the Wolves. I couldn’t deny that it had been difficult to spend Sundays in front of the television set, watching my friends on the big screen. I missed being out there, but I owed my Gran. For some reason, she’d wanted me to carry on her work, and it was the least I could do.

“I don’t have any plans to play again.”

I could see the kid’s disappointment at my response. I signed his sweatshirt and then did a quick Snapchat video with him before making my way to the restaurant. The hostess ushered me to a back room that had floor-to-ceiling windows and an incredible view of the Golden Gate and the bay.

When I walked in, I scanned the area and didn’t see my wife. We’d planned to come together but Olivia had gotten caught in a meeting, so she’d texted me that she’d meet me here. A server walked by with a tray of beer and champagne and offered me one. The smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye told me that the alcohol wasn’t the only thing on the table.

I was sure to remove the glass with my left hand, which prominently displayed my wedding ring. The way her smile dropped slightly told me that she’d clocked the platinum band. The ring didn’t always work as a deterrent. I’d had several women get more aggressive in their pursuit after finding out I was a married man. They were the exception, though. Most of the time, women backed off. It had definitely done the trick with clients.

Especially since I’d framed one of my favorite wedding photos and displayed it prominently on my desk. It was a picture of me and Olivia on the dance floor. Her head was tilted back laughing, and I was staring at her. I still couldn’t believe she was my wife even if it was only for a year. I felt like the luckiest man in the world.

As I stood at one of the high-top tables, I noted that there were about a hundred people or so at the event, and it was obvious most of them had already had a few drinks. The room was filled with men who had very high opinions of themselves and very loud voices.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting to see Olivia’s name on the screen. Instead, it was Jake’s. He rarely called, which made me immediately think something was wrong.

I stepped to a quiet corner. “Hey, man.”

“Hey, I know it’s short notice, but would it be okay if I came to stay with you over Christmas break? I have a few interviews in the city for internships this summer.”

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