Page 70 of One Touch

“Miller?” Lathan asked with a yawn. His room was pitch black, and he squinted at the camera. Oops.

“Hey. Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“No. It’s fine. Everything okay?” he asked. Lathan sat up, and I got a glimpse of his naked chest.

“Yeah. I was just bored and thought I’d see what you were up to. It’s dumb. I’ll go so you can go back to sleep.”

Lathan smiled. “It’s not dumb. And I wasn’t asleep. It seems I have a difficult time without someone octapussying themselves to me.”

I laughed and settled lower into my pillows. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m more of a koala than an octopus. If that’s anyone, it’s you, Silver.”

He grinned and shook his head. “How’s your family?”

“They’re good. Lottie loved her beads and forced me to make bracelets with her. Ivy bored me with chicken talk, and Jonah and Tomas spent most of their time trying to convince me to play rugby. Apparently, it’s the new sport around here, and they’re building a team.”

“Did you tell them you’re too pretty for rugby?”

“You think I’m pretty?” I asked with a smile.

“For rugby. It’s not the compliment you think, Mills.”

“You think I’m pretty,” I sang.

Lathan blushed and rolled his eyes. “I have not missed how impossible you are.”

“Too bad. I’ve missed you,” I said before I could stop myself.

His eyes lifted up, and we held contact. “I’ve missed you, too.” He blew out a breath. “I should’ve made you kidnap me away to Pearfolk.”

“Oh, yeah? You want to come and visit the folksy town I grew up in?”

“It can’t be too bad if you’re from there.”

My insides warmed. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not too bad. It’s quirky and charming in its special way, and no one would know you or care that you’re a hot shot hockey player.”

“Sounds like bliss.” He chewed his lip before blurting, “Why didn’t you ask me to come with you?”

I gasped. “You wanted me to?”

“Yeah. I was hoping you would.” He lowered his eyes, and I stared at his blond eyelashes.

“Funny. I was hoping you’d invite me to join you.”

His eyes widened. “What? Why? You’d hate it here. It’s horrible.”

I shrugged. “Maybe. But at least I’d be with you.” It was quiet between us as we stared at one another. “Besides, I’ve never experienced a real Christmas before. It could’ve been fun.”

“I dunno. It’s overrated. I was in a tux all night, had to make small talk with a billion people, and pretend like I didn’t hate them all.”

“Ah, poor baby. That must’ve been miserable for you.”

“It was.” He smiled. “Though you would’ve made it better, but I like you too much to ever expose you to the likes of my mother.”

“She can’t be that bad.”

He huffed. “Take my word for it. Evangeline Silver looks like a sweet woman, but she’s a viper in designer clothing. Plus, I don’t trust her not to try to use you to some political advantage.”

“How? I’m not that interesting.”

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