Page 46 of Knot Sharing the Ice

Letting me decide how much to reveal, and when.

Dad, bless his oblivious heart, just nods and shakes Mason's hand. "Oh, that's right. Ember mentioned something about sharing the ice with some other athletes. You boys must be in town for some sort of tournament?"

I have to bite back a laugh. Dad's never had any interest in sports beyond the occasional game of chess. He probably wouldn't recognize a professional athlete if one tackled him on the street.

"Something like that," Mason says smoothly, and I can hear the amusement in his voice. He's clearly picked up on my father's lack of sports knowledge and is playing along. "We're actually staying through the holidays."

"Oh, how lovely!" Dad exclaims, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. Here it comes. "You know, we're having our Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow night. Why don't you and your friends join us? Any friends of Ember's are always welcome."

And there it is. I should have seen this coming from a mile away. Dad's never met a stray he didn't want to adopt, whether it's a cat from the shelter or a lonely student with nowhere to go for the holidays. Of course he'd invite my... whatever Mason and the others are to me... to dinner without a second thought.

Mason's eyes find mine, silently asking permission. I know I could say no. I could make up some excuse about them being busy, or say it's too last minute.

But as I look at him…

I'm struck by how much I want to say yes.

How much I want to see him—all of them—again, even if the thought terrifies me.

"That would be nice," I mumble, surprising myself with the words. "If you guys aren't too busy, I mean."

The grin that spreads across Mason's face is like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. "We wouldn't miss it for theworld," he says, and I can hear the genuine excitement in his voice.

As Dad chatters away about what time to arrive and what sides to bring, I find myself studying Mason. The way he effortlessly charms my father, asking questions about his work and the board games he's carrying. The way his eyes keep flicking back to me, as if checking to make sure I'm still okay with all of this.

And I realize, with a start, that I am okay with it. More than okay, even. The thought of getting to know Mason and the others outside of the heated frenzy of my unexpected heat is... appealing.

Intriguing, even.

And doing it surrounded by my family, in a setting where I can't just jump their bones?

That might actually be perfect.

"Well, I should get these games home before your mother sends out a search party," Dad says, adjusting his grip on the boxes. "It was wonderful to meet you, Mason. We'll see you boys tomorrow night!"

As he walks away, I'm struck by a sudden wave of affection for my father. For his easy acceptance, his unquestioning welcome of a stranger into our family traditions. It's so quintessentiallyhimthat it makes my chest ache with love.

I probably should have known something was up when even he hated Jake.

It hits me just now that I haven't thought about Jake at all lately.

Huh.

"Your dad seems great," Mason says softly, drawing my attention back to him. "I can see where you get your kindness from."

I snort, rolling my eyes even as warmth spreads through my chest at his words. "Please. I'm not kind. I'm prickly and difficult and?—"

"Ember," he cuts me off, his voice gentle but firm. "You're one of the kindest people I've ever met. And for the record… cacti are my favorite plants. They always have the sweetest blooms."

Warmth spreads across my cheeks that rivals my heat.

Is that really how he sees me?

How theyallsee me?

It's so at odds with how I've thought of myself lately.

Guarded, closed-off, unwilling to let anyone in.

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