Page 30 of Miami Ice

I pause for a moment. That sounds so surreal, me posing as Beckham Bailey’sgirlfriend.

This is not the hard launch. Sofia said she’s going to let me be seen and perhaps post of pic of me with her family on social media as a teaser, but this is more for his teammates to see that change could be happening on Beckham’s horizon.

And what better way to show change than to date a woman who is completely unlike any woman he’s ever been out with before?

Anyway, Jordan is here, so now I get to hear his opinion on how inappropriate I look. He’s been included in the circle of trust that knows about the fake dating after signing the NDA, and he’s now accepted his holiday season is going to be filled with weirdness by twin association.

“I think you’ve met the brief if they hired you as Christmas Sparkle,” Jordan says, grinning at me as he pushes down on hisbackward FSU baseball hat. He bends and takes the ball from Winston, throwing it, but narrowly missing the candy confection tree.

“Gah! Careful!” I cry, my hand flying to my chest.

“Oh shit, sorry.”

I smile at him. “I’ll forgive you because you gave me the compliment of being Christmas Sparkle,” I tease.

“Jordan. You are not supposed to encourage her,” Ella says.

“Her clients want Christmas. It looks like Christmas threw up on her. Check,” he says cheerfully.

Jordan isn’t lying. I went full PINKMAS with tonight’s outfit. I’m wearing a pink top with three sequined nutcrackers on it and sleeves made of sequins. My “it’s not a gift tag” necklace is around my neck, but I exchanged the ribbon for a pink one to match. I’m wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans and black suede over-the-knee boots. Those are rather sexy, if I do say so myself. My hair is twisted up in braids around my head, and I’ve gone full holiday mode for my makeup tonight. My eyes are done up with a shimmery nude-pink eyeshadow and lined with a rich cocoa-brown liner. I used my expensive mascara that makes my lashes seem thick and long. I’ve topped my pink-nude lipstick with gloss to create a shiny lip, and of course, I’ve dotted a glowy champagne highlighter over my cheekbones.

If Sofia wanted holiday sparkle, that’s exactly what she’s getting tonight.

“Thank you, Jordan.” I smile at him.

“You know you don’t have to Uber to the game,” Ella says. “We’d take you.”

I pick up my stadium-approved clear plastic tote—that I decorated with pink Christmas trees, of course—and slip it over my shoulder. “Please. Jordan just got here. Go out and have fun. My new boyfriend can give me a ride home.”

Ella stares at me and I know what’s going on in her head, because we’re twins. It’s a unique connection we have.

And she’s thinking this is as surreal and crazy as I do.

“I don’t know whether to tell you to have fun or have a good day at work,” she says.

I bend down and give Winston a good scratch behind his ears. “Mommy is going to have fun and a good day working.” His tail thumps excitedly in response.

My phone buzzes. I glance down at the screen, and my Uber ride is nearly here.

“Time to go. I’ll see you guys later,” I say, heading to the door. I let myself out and shut it behind me, and make my way to the elevator, mulling over Ella’s comment.

My stomach does a weird flutter thing, and I put my hand over it, as if I can make the feeling go away.

I can’t.

And I know I can’t deny the truth I haven’t spoken to another soul. Not to Chloe. Not to Ella.

Not even to Winston, and he can’t tell anyone anything.

I’m looking forward to seeing Beckham tonight.

My Swiftie soundtrack skips back to “…Ready for It?”

And the thing is?

I don’t know if I am.

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