Page 123 of Miami Ice

He’s thankful for me.

All the big feelings begin to crest within me, but one rises to the surface above all others as I think of Beckham. I think of how he’s handled my family today, how he’s encouraged me to stand up for myself, and how much he believes in my art and my business.

The same feeling rushes through me as I watch him interact with his sister.

I’m thankful, too. Thankful beyond measure that somehow fate led us to be together, even if we did start by negotiating a fake relationship.

Because what I feel for Beckham is very, very real.

And I already know I’m falling in love with him.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“This is not normal.”

I glance at Chloe, who is being such a grump this morning that even Beckham would be impressed.

It’s four-thirty in the morning, and we are standing in line outside of Home Joy, along with at least thirty other people, waiting for the five o’clock opening to get first crack at all the Black Friday specials.

“No, and that’s what makes it special,” I declare.

Chloe scowls, and she’s so grumpy, it makes me grin.

“I promise, when we’re done, I’ll take you out for a big Cuban breakfast and then you can have a nap.”

“I sound like a toddler. I need a snack and a nap.”

“Well, I’ve already provided snacks,” I remind her, pausing as I take a bite of my vanilla-glazed donut covered with holiday sprinkles. “And a peppermint latte.”

“That does not change the fact that it’s four-thirty and I’m standing outside of Home Joy,” Chloe grumbles.

“But you’re experiencing Christmas magic with your best friend,” I insist. “We’re making memories!”

Now Chloe laughs. “You’re adorable, Georgie. I’ll even forgive you for making me do this. I mean, how can I stay mad at you, you’re practically the Good Christmas Fairy.”

I grin at that as I polish off my donut. I have dressed for the occasion this morning. I’ve done my hair into two long braids and put a pink bucket hat with gingerbread men all over it on my head. I’m wearing a T-shirt that says, “In My Black Friday Era,” and a pair of cut-off denim shorts. I’ve got gingerbread-men earrings in my ears and pink gingerbread socks on my feet.

My mood matches my outfit. I’m buzzing. I love Christmas, I love Black Friday, and I love, love, love the fact that I’m going to decorate Beckham’s temporary home for Christmas. I’ve already got a theme in mind for him, and I can’t wait to bring that Christmas magic into his house.

I take another sip of my peppermint latte—thanking Dunkin' for being open twenty-four hours so I could get a coffee and donuts for this adventure—and smile as I think of Beckham.

He was fast asleep when I left him, with Minnie curled up next to the top of his head. I had to resist the urge to kiss him before I left, but I know how important sleep is for him and I would have been upset with myself if I would have woken him up. So I slipped out unnoticed, letting him get all the sleep he needs before practice this morning.

And now I’m standing outside of Home Joy, ready to fill my cart with all the things needed to make his home feel like Christmas.

I blot my lips with a napkin and wipe my hands. “Come on, let’s take a selfie,” I say, moving next to Chloe.

“You can’t be serious. I look like I was just scraped off the bottom of someone’s shoe,” she declares.

“How did your brain come up with that?”

Chloe grins. “I don’t know, but I’m even impressing myself with that one.”

I move next to her and hold out my phone, ready to capture us together in a picture. “Okay, here we go.”

I watch as the timer counts down on our image. Chloe is wearing her luxurious chocolate-brown hair up in a messy top knot, freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks, her free hand holding up a peace sign while the other holds her coffee. She’s dressed in a black T-shirt and a pair of camo leggings.

The anti-Georgie, I think with a smile.

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