Page 75 of Hat Trick Holidate

How could he even ask that? Of course, I'm over Grant,but the wound he left is still raw and tender. It's not something that just disappears.

“I was over Grant the night you and I met. The years Grant and I were together, I never had one night where I felt good about my body or any passion. You’ve taught me that I’m beautiful the way I am. You nurture me. But that doesn’t mean the scar he left isn’t still there.”

His voice is deep and raw when he says, “Baby, I’ll rub vitamin E over your heart every day until every scar gets smaller and smaller and eventually disappears.”

The pain Grant put me through has waned. I loved him but it was immature, and we were both in it because it was easy and fun to hang around Roman and Penelope. However, it’s hard to forget the humiliation he caused me by breaking up on our wedding day.

“You sure know how to make a girl swoon. My mom is going to love you when she finds out how much input you had on my stunning new house.”

“Speaking of your parents, should I come over when you tell Roman and your parents about us? I’ll be there if you need support,” he says unequivocally.

“No, I’ll handle it. I’m a big girl,” I reply, my heart racing with a mixture of excitement and fear. I never thought I would find someone who would go out of their way to make my dream home come true. It’s a grand gesture that shows how much he cares.

“But you are planning on telling them, right?” His scratchy and hesitant voice reveals his nerves.

“Of course, I just want to find the right time.”

“Okay, we’ll see you tomorrow at the stadium. I’ll miss you in my bed tonight,” he says with a hopeful tone.

“Not as much as I’ll miss you.”

As I hang up the phone, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness. I’ll miss his strong arms pulling my body into his, kissing and talking. Tonight, I’ll sleep alone, but tomorrow, we’ll be together again. I’m crossing my fingers that things go well with Roman.

Roman arrives with my parents,and my mom gushes over the house. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Roman grins, taking credit for the overhaul. I narrow my eyes at him. He knows I know Bryce helped in the restoration.

The whole time I’m parading my parents through my house, I can’t quit smiling. Bryce Wynward is a complete cinnamon roll who tries to pass himself off as a grump. Everywhere I look, I see Bryce’s attention to detail. When I finally finished prepping last night and went to bed, I noticed a framed picture by my full-length mirror—pressed pansies in a frame, from the bathtub.

I can’t believe a man like Bryce Wynward wants me, but I know he does. His stare is always impenetrable like he sees me from the inside out.

Mom and I add the final touches to the meal, and we sit down to eat. We give thanks as we hold hands and say what we’re thankful for— “I’m thankful Grant dumped me because it forced me to be uncomfortable. To take chances. And in the end, it proved to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Roman stares blankly, then adds, “I’m thankful for thedating app and that my sister decided to make her life in Atlanta.

Dad keeps chewing his food but adds, “So, you had a good date?”

“I did. We’re going out again this weekend.”

“Oh honey, that’s amazing. What did you like about her? What do you have in common?” my mom peppers him with questions.

Between bites, he fills in some of the blanks. “She’s a single mom with two children.” My parents seem a little shocked, but I know he checked that he wanted a family on the dating app.

“She’s a paralegal so she doesn’t travel.”

My mom sighs. “Well, that’s a relief.” However, my mom looks anything but relieved. “Does she know who you are and what you do for a living?”

“Yes. Her name is Dana, and she’s a fan.”

Fearing she wants him for his game day tickets and the lifestyle, I add, “I thought you were afraid to go out with a hockey lover.”

He winks. “Nope, I was afraid of a woman wanting me for my money, but Dana lives downtown, makes plenty of money and we like the same restaurants.”

I keep my distaste for his explanation to myself but add, “She doesn’t make your professional athlete kind of money, but if you had fun, that’s great.”

“I did, and I hope to have more of it.”

The grin adorning his face is enough to make my heart swell. Maybe we can both be happy—here—in Atlanta.

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