Page 81 of My Rival for Christmas

The last thing I wanted was my rival for Christmas, but turns out Santa had other plans.

And I’m so thankful for that.

Because I think I might just be a fan of Christmas after all.

As long as I get to keep spending them with Nate.

Paige: Why are you in the other room? I’m lonely.

Nate: I’m sorry, who is this?

Paige: Very funny.

Nate: No, really. Who is this?

Nate: Because the only person I WANT this to be from has had my number blocked for two years and surely she isn’t texting me now, wanting my attention, as I am currently fighting dust bunnies in the spare bedroom, looking for something.

Paige: Are you always this annoying when texting? Maybe I made a mistake unblocking your number.

Nate: Paige?! Is that you?

Paige: Who else would it be?

Nate: A deranged fan? A stalker? Someone who wants my perfect skin to make a suit?

Paige: Ew. There is something seriously wrong with you.

Nate: Hmm. It kind of sounds like Paige, but I’m still not convinced. Tell me a secret only I would know.

Paige: I can do you one better.

Paige: Sent an attachment

Paige: Look! Boobs!

epilogue

NATE

Three dayslater

I'm standing at the edge of the rink, watching as Paige skates around with her niece. Clover’s laugh fills the abandoned arena as Paige grabs her tiny hands and spins her around, her skates hovering above the ice.

Both of them wearing matching smiles.

I feel my lips tug up, too, grateful we made it here in time.

The ice cleared enough for us to leave the cabin the day after Christmas, with Dax’s loud truck engine waking us up. But my friend didn’t come alone. My dad made it into town. He had a few hours before he had to get back on the road, so Paige, me, and Snowball, who stowed away in my coat pocket, packed up the cabin and went back down the mountain. Back to the Sugar Peak Resort, where we grabbed Paige’s luggage at the front desk and lunch at the Brazilian steakhouse.

It might not have been the usual time I get to spend with my dad, but the look on his face as he kept glancing between Paige and me as we ate our food told me that we were both okay with the outcome.

I swear the old man wiped tears from his eyes more than a few times.

But after lunch with my dad, Paige and I continued down the mountain to the airport, catching the first flight out to Colorado.

Making plans for our future the entire way.

A warm glow, soft and tender and more content than I’ve ever known, flourishes in my chest as I think about them. About what we have in front of us.

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