Page 47 of Mistletoe Face Off

“You know this whole argument thing? Well, it started out as real, but now it's …not.”

She knits her brows together. “How so?”

“Abby Sinclair, the Blizzard PR person, thought after all the press coverage for our first fight, it would be good for the team and their Christmas charity efforts that Harry and I keep it up. We had a meeting, Abby, Harry, their coach, Stephen, and me.”

“Wait. Are you saying that Slippery Stephen agreed this was a good idea for you to get into arguments with an NHL player?” she asks, and I nod. “Huh. You play the part well, that's all I can say, but you sure are opening yourself up to criticism.”

“That’s not what’s bothering me.”

“What is it then?”

“During our argument last time, I accidentally agreed to go out with Harry on Sunday night.” I hold my breath, waiting for her reply.

Her eyes widen as her lips pull into a grin. “Girl, I saw that coming a mile off.”

“You did?”

“Heck, yes! All that arguing and getting hot under the collar? Total turn on. Have you kissed yet?”

“No!”

“Have you wanted to?”

I pull my lips into a line. “Yes.”

“Ha!”

I toy with my mug.

“I don’t get it. What’s the problem?” she asks.

“It’s just… I’ve been burnt before.”

“Your ex?” She waves him away with a flick of her wrist. “Is Harry at all like him?”

I think of how much I enjoy being with him. It’s so easy, natural, like we’ve known one another all our lives, but with the excitement of only just beginning to learn about one another. “He's different. He's kind and sweet and fun.”

“Any man who can put that kind of smile on your face can't be bad.”

“But what if I'm wrong? I thought Phil was a great guy when I met him, too, and I married him.”

“Do you wanna know what I think?”

“Yes!”

“I say go on this date. See how it feels. When was the last time you went on a date? Sometime last decade?”

“It wasn't that long ago,” I reply, but Selena just gives me a look. “Okay, it was with Phil before we got married. But I've been asked on dates since then.”

“Doesn’t count. Go out with the guy. Have some fun. Not all hockey players will be like your ex. Who knows? Harrison Clarke may be the one.”

Selena’s words are still ringing in my ears when Mom comes over to sit for Macy on Sunday night. I've been twisting myself in knots over this date, nervous that I'm getting in too deep with another guy who has every opportunity to be just as disloyal as my ex was.

And then I remind myself that this is only our first date. Sure, we've spent time together, and we definitely shared a few moments. But it's never been just him and me, and I'm feeling the pressure.

Maybe I need to just lighten up about this whole thing? Plenty of people go on dates and have short term relationships with men without ending up walking down the aisle and having babies together. I need to see this for what it is: a date with an incredibly hot guy who I get on super well with, and a man who sets my heart alight.

If nothing else comes of this evening, at least it will be good for my cardiac health.

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