Page 50 of Knot Sharing the Ice

So instead, I simply nod, hoping she can see in my eyes everything I can't say out loud.

"Always," I murmur back.

And I mean it with every fiber of my being.

Chapter

Seventeen

EMBER

"Would you like some more wine, Mason?" Mom asks, reaching for the bottle of her famous mulled wine.

"Yes, please," Mason says, flashing her one of those heart-melting smiles that made me weak in the knees when we first met. "This is delicious, Mrs. Westbrook. You'll have to share the recipe."

Mom beams, clearly smitten. "Oh, please. Call me Linda. And of course! I'd be happy to write it down for you."

I take a sip of my own wine to hide my smile. Mason's already charmed the recipe for her secret spice cookies out of her, and we've only been here an hour. At this rate, he'll have her entire recipe box memorized by dessert.

The dining room is warm and cozy, filled with the scents of Christmas dinner and pine from the garland Mom draped over every available surface. Normally, I find the decorations a bit much, but tonight they provide perfect cover for the mingled alpha scents that would otherwise give us away.

"So, boys," Dad says, carving another slice of turkey. "How long have you known our Ember?"

I nearly choke on my wine.

"We met at the rink," Carter answers smoothly, saving me from having to explain. "About a week ago."

Taylor catches my eye across the table and smirks. She's the only one who knows the truth, and she's been having way too much fun watching me squirm all evening.

"Only a week?" Mom asks, her eyebrows rising. "You all seem so... comfortable with each other."

"We just clicked," Jayce says with a grin that makes my stomach flip. "Right, Cotton Candy?"

I kick him under the table. Hard.

"Cotton Candy?" Dad echoes, looking confused.

"Because of her skating outfit," Adder explains quickly. "Pink and blue, you know?"

Mom's eyes light up. "Oh, that's adorable! You know, she's been wearing those colors since she was little. There's this photo?—"

"Mom, no," I groan, knowing exactly where this is going.

"—of her first recital. She insisted on wearing this tutu that was half pink, half blue. Said it couldn't be just one color because that wouldn't be fair to the other."

The guys are all grinning now, and I want to sink through the floor.

"I was five," I mutter.

"You were precious," Mom corrects. "Oh! I think I have that album right here..."

"Who wants more potatoes?" I ask loudly, desperate to change the subject.

"I'd love to see those photos," Mason says, ignoring my attempt at distraction. "I bet Ember was an adorable kid."

"The cutest," Taylor chimes in, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Wait until you see her gap-toothed phase."

I glare at her.Traitor.

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