Page 98 of Born to Make You Smile

“I win!” Mackenzie shouted during the last round. However, she forgot to say Uno, but I really didn’t want to be the one to call her out.

“You didn’t say Uno!” Charlotte exclaimed, making a sad trombone sound.

“Yes, I did!”

“No! That was the last round. This round you forgot.”

“Maybe you just didn’t hear me.” Mackenzie crossed her arms.

“Girls, girls.” Gavin gripped the bridge of his nose. “Please.”

Charlotte put her hand of cards down. “Fine. You win. Let’s go downstairs and watch a movie. Let Dad and Grace play a round on their own.”

Mackenzie frowned. “But I want to keep playing…”

“Come on,” Charlotte urged, tugging at her sister’s arm.

“Okay, okay,” Mackenzie whined.

After they left, I whispered to Gavin, “Do you think theyknow?”

“It seems Charlotte might be getting the hint. I thought about telling them about us, but I know they won’t be able to keep their mouth shut, especially in front of my sister.”

“Okay. Yes. Hush for now.” I shifted, moving the ice off my leg.

“How’s your ankle feeling, love?”

He caressed my right ankle, then moved his hands down to my bare foot, massaging it. A flutter of warm tingles danced in my body.

“A lot better.”

“Did you enjoy yourself today? Minus the injury.”

I smiled. “It was lovely.”

He gestured to bring the other leg up so he could massage my left foot. Goddamn. I let out a quiet moan. His hands digging into the deep arches of my feet felt so good, especially after the skating today.

“I had fun too,” he said, a warmth in his eyes. “I love spending the day with you. No matter what we do. Even if it’s in the bloody cold.”

I laughed.

Gavin disliked the cold, especially the snow. He would complain and groan at the first hint of frost, and he acted as if he was surprised at the winter weather every year.Why is this happening so soon? Snow, again? How is it so bloody cold out?Sometimes I wondered how he’d survived so long in Canada.

He smiled, then his expression shifted. His brow furrowed, appearing uncomfortable.

“Look, Grace.” He removed his hands from my feet and faced me, looking me in the eye. “I want to tell you something. Something that’s been on my mind for quite some time now.”

I blinked, pressing my lips together. Was he having second thoughts? Did he want to end our relationship? My stomach flipped. “Okay.”

“I know it hasn’t been that long since we’ve been together. But I’ve never felt more connected to anyone in my life.” He paused, tilting his head with hesitation. Then he leaned in close. “I love you, Grace. I’m madly in love with you.”

Gavin loves me.

My heart could have burst. With a large grin, I put my hand on his. “I love you, too.”

“Oh, thank God. I wasn’t sure if it was too soon.”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

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