Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“Most. He would have me move in with him tomorrow if I said I was ready.”
“But you’re not?” Tally asks.
“Oh, I’m ready. We’re trying to give my dad enough time to also be ready.”
“I love that you take his feelings into account,” Rix says.
“It’s an adjustment.” Hammer smiles and rubs her bottom lip. I can only guess what that’s about. “Speaking of adjustments, how excited are you to move into university residence next month?” she asks Tally.
“Excited. Nervous.” Tally flutters her legs. “Those top the list. I’m looking forward to an on-campus living experience for my first year. I know I could commute, but with so much rehearsal time on campus, it makes more sense for me to live there.” We helped her set up a PowerPoint presentation for her parents to argue her on-campus-living case. “The apartment-style residence should be good. There will either be four or six of us, and we all have our own bedrooms and bathrooms, but we’ll share a common kitchen and living room. The rooms are small, but at least there’s freedom. And Rix will be on campus sometimes too, so that’s cool.”
“Once we get our schedules, we can organize lunch dates,” Rix offers.
“How do you feel about going back to school?” Shilpa asks.
“Good. Nervous and excited, just like Tally. But this is my passion, so going back now makes sense. I can’t wait to focus on nutritional facts instead of taxes. And Tristan is so excited for me, so that helps.”
“He’s really proud of you,” Dred says.
“It’s not the easiest adjustment to have a partner who can take care of me the way he can. He’s suggested I quit my job at the firm, but they offered me part-time remote, so we’ll see how it goes.”
“In case you don’t like the program?” Tally asks.
“It’s more my personal feelings about not contributing financially, having to rely on somebody else to take care of my financial needs. I’m working on it in therapy. It’s my own issue, and it doesn’t have anything to do with Tristan or how much he loves me. I know he supports me, and will support me in whatever way I need him to. But I still need my autonomy. And he understands that, too.”
“I love the way he loves you,” I say.
“Me too. It’s hard to believe he’s the same guy who flew to Vancouver and turned around and got right back on the plane because he couldn’t deal with his fears,” Rix muses.
“He’s come a long way.” I agree. A year ago, Tristan was surly and could be a PR problem. But then Rix came along and turned his world upside down. Now he’s so in love with her and committed to being the best version of himself he can for both of them. He’s relentless once he decides he wants something. I see it every time he looks at her, like she’s the beginning and the end for him. What I wouldn’t give to have someone love me like that—who isn’t a direct relative.
“How’s Essie, by the way? Any word on when she’s moving back?” Hammer asks. “Or at least coming for a visit?”
“Yes! Her company offered her a contract in Toronto and she could be back by the end of summer or early fall at the latest. I’m so excited that she’s moving home. At least for a bit,” Rix says.
“That’s awesome. Our little group keeps growing!” Tally says.
“And pairing up! I know Dallas’s actions lately have been pretty outlandish, and maybe not the easiest for the woman who prefers things to go smoothly, but he is clearly devoted to you.” Hammer arches a brow. “I mean, the way he proposed…” Her hand goes to her heart. “That’s the grand gesture to end all grand gestures. On the ice, in a place you both love so much, after you raised a ton of money for charity—so thoughtful.”
“Yeah.” I force a smile. “It’s definitely hard to top.”
“That post he made this afternoon was swoon city,” Rix says.
“What post?” I can’t deal with another media stunt. I’ve been avoiding his social media on purpose. Just because I know the crappy comments exist, doesn’t mean I want to experience the firsthand.
“You haven’t seen it, yet?” Hammer’s eyes are wide.
Maybe I’ll be better off keeping my head in the sand. “Will I have to run interference?”
“You shouldn’t. Especially not after this.” Hammer hands me her phone.
It’s a photo of the on-ice proposal and it’s captioned:
The Best Day of My Life and it’s followed by a very sappy post:
Isn’t she stunning?
I’ve been waiting a decade for this, and while I’m happy to shout my love for Wilhelmina from the rooftops, my bride to be tends be more lowkey. While our engagement was very public (that’s on me), our relationship is ours. I’ve waited far too long to get the girl to mess it up with more public shenanigans. (I swear, Hemi, the proposal is the last shenanigan). We appreciate your respect for our privacy.