Page 62 of Skating and Fake Dating
“I knew then she was special.” The look he gives me is so convincing that for a moment, I almost believe it myself.
Odette’s voice jars me back to the present. “So, when exactly did this ‘professional relationship’ turn romantic? Last month, you told Mom you were definitely single. If I’m not mistaken, the hockey game season doesn’t start until next month, so how would you have gone to a game?”
I tense. Of course, she’d spot the hole in our timeline.
“Things got more serious a few weeks ago,” I say stiffly.
“A few months ago,” Carson says at the exact same moment.
The table goes quiet. My sister’s smile turns predatory.
I clear my throat and steal a glance at Carson, who looks like a cat covered in gravy. “What we mean is that we’ve had feelings for a while, but we only made it official more recently.”
He nods as if I just saved the puck from going into the goal. “There are some professional and personal boundaries we’ve been navigating.”
Nanna clasps her hands together. “I think it’s romantic. Like those forbidden workplace romances in my novels.”
My sister assesses us with her shrewd attorney’s eye as if she doesn’t buy it, but could sell it in the court of law.
I’m like a fish out of water when under pressure, so I’m relieved to help my mother and Odette with dishes after dinner while the guys talk sports.
Mom corners me by the sink while I try to convince myself that what we said was like seventy-five percent true, even if chronologically inaccurate. Technically, I probably did see Carson playing at a hockey game for the very first time, butlikely it was when I was still posted in Denver. After we landed and got coffee, I was babbling nervously.
My mother says, “He’s wonderful, Bailey.”
Glancing over my shoulder toward the crack in the door where I glimpse Carson’s profile as he animatedly tells a story, a sigh escapes.
She glances toward the dining room, then down at the floor before saying, “I mean it. The way he stood up for you at dinner ...”
I do a double-take.
She hands me a plate to dry. “You know we tease because we love you, but he wasn’t having any of it. That’s a good man.”
She rushes into talking about him joining us for Maple Fest, making sure I invite him to cousin Sasha’s birthday party, and discussing seating arrangements at the Thanksgiving table.
I’m not sure we’d be able to keep up the charade. But a little spark inside tells me I want to.
I glance through the doorway to where Carson is now sitting on the floor with Margaret and the cousins, teaching them a magic trick with playing cards. His eyes crinkle with laughter and I glimpse a future that will never be mine—us home for the holidays or any old day, him playing with our children, meeting my gaze from across the room and knowing that marriage is no longer a hobby. It’s real life.
Mom’s comment about him being a good man echoes in my mind. Softy, I say, “Yeah. He is.” And truth be told, I wish he were mine. Truly mine.
Odette catches me staring. “Don’t get too attached to him, Bailey. Remember, guys like that are used to dating models and celebrities. Not small-town girls with maple butter ambitions.”
I clamp my lips together, wishing I had the guts to tell her off, but I don’t want to give her any ammunition to expose us. But I fear Carson overheard, making me feel about as pathetic as a wet peanut.
Later, as we’re saying goodbyes, Nanna pulls Carson aside. Ipretend not to eavesdrop, but what can I say, I’m my mother’s daughter.
“You take care of our Bailey. She left home for the big city and we’re proud of her, but she’s got a tender, small-town heart ... and I see she’s given it to you.”
“Yes, ma’am and I promise you, her heart is safe with me.”
Is that true? Does Nanna see something I don’t? Have I given Carson my heart?
CHAPTER 26
CARSON
Maple Grounds, the cozy local coffee shop, is busy when I walk in. Technically, this is another business meeting with Bailey to discuss some items for my transition to the team, but there are extra things to cover because the Ice Breakers are brand new.
