Page 61 of The Merriest Christmas

"That will be harder."Seaver ran a hand along his neck then shrugged."But I'll do it.For you."

"Then we can see where we are."

"Where you are," he corrected."I already know how I feel, Emilia.That's not going to change."

I shook my head."You may say that now, but it could change."

"Not likely."

"Still, I think me and hockey should try just being friends," I said.

He nodded."Whatever you want."

"Okay, glad that's settled."

I released a long exhale, feeling lighter, relieved, and slightly…melancholy.It wasn't like I'd wanted him to fightme on it, but yeah.I wouldn't have been upset with some disagreement, maybe a little burst of emotion.Oh well.

"But Emilia, you should know, I'm not giving up," Seaver said, and my eyes snapped to his face.He took a step forward so there was only a breath between us."I'll be here when you're ready."

"Ready for what?" I asked.

"Us."

Before I could say another word, Finn said, "Hey, look at that.Somebody's under the mistletoe."

Seaver and I glanced up at the same time.

Laughter followed.

"Tough luck," Dex said."They hate each other."

"Yeah, but it's tradition," Chase said.

"Kiss, kiss," Baylor said.

Archer just watched everything with a tiny, barely-there smile on his face.

And my youngest brother wasn't even trying to hide his glee.

"Traitor," I said to him.

"Better do it," Finn said."I've heard you'll have seven years of bad luck if you don't."

"Wouldn't want that," Seaver said back and stared into my eyes."You okay with this?"

I nodded."If you are."

"Even in front of your brothers?"

"They've seen worse."

Baylor said, "Just kiss already."

Seaver gently placed a hand on my cheek, making my breath catch.

"You should know, I still hate hockey," I said.

"We can work on that," he said.

---