Page 71 of Getting the Grinder
“I didn’t fully appreciate Leo at first,” Mara says.
Chelsea laughs hard at that. “Oh, I love it. Did you think he was arrogant? He comes off arrogant.”
I flick a glare at my cousin. The two of us aren’t even close, but she likes to think she’s an expert on me. I’ve gotten her great seats to every Crush game she’s ever asked for tickets to, sometimes paying for them because I couldn’t get them from the team, and she’s still not all that nice to me.
“I just didn’t know him yet,” Mara says, giving me an affectionate look. “To know Leo is to love him.”
My mom puts her palms on her chest, smiling. “I knew Leo would be smart and wait for the right woman. You two make such a beautiful couple.” She presses her lips together before blurting, “Do you want kids, Mara?”
“Mom.” I give her a pointed look. “That question’s not appropriate right now.”
Mara gives my hand a squeeze. “I don’t mind. I do want kids. Suki and Carter have three girls and I love them to pieces. So does Leo.”
“Oh, a little girl,” my mom says wistfully. “I’m a mom of two boys. I can’t imagine. The little dresses and pigtails ...”
“Slow down, Marie,” my mom’s sister Maggie says. “We just met her.”
Mom laughs. “I know. Sorry, Mara.”
Mara waves a hand. “It’s okay. My mom feels the same way.”
Mom gets up from the arm of the chair. “I’d love to hear all about your parents. Do you mind coming into the kitchen so we can talk while I finish up some food?”
“Of course.” Mara stands. “One of my best friends is a chef at his own restaurant. I don’t know a lot about cooking, but I’m a good assistant.”
While the rest of the family in the living room talks, I keep one ear on the conversation in here and another on the kitchen. I can’t make out what my mom and Mara are saying to each other, but there’s a lot of laughter.
My mom deserves this. She’s proud of me, but I have to travel so much that I don’t make it home a lot. I’m going to invite my parents to come see me more often so Mara can get to know them, and vice versa.
No games. Mara and I are on the same page about that. I finally found someone I’m crazy about, and I’m not wasting any time on games.
The next morning, Mara and I are in bed, her cheeks flushed and her smile satisfied.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispers.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper back, kissing her.
“I got you something.”
“What?” I lower my brows, brushing a section of hair away from her face. “You’re my gift, babe. You’re all I need.”
Her smile is a mix of shy and amused as she says, “I’m giving it to you now.”
She gets out of bed and I admire her curves as she digs through her suitcase. We road-tripped to my parents’ house, but I’ve chartered us a flight to go see her parents. It’s costing a mint, but it’ll be worth it for the time it’ll save us.
“I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I happen to love it.”
“That’s all that matters,” I quip.
“Close your eyes.”
I fold my hands behind my head, propping myself up and closing my eyes.
“Okay, open.”
I squint; the lighting in the room dim. She’s holding an article of clothing out in front of her.
“Is that a hockey sweater?”
