Page 53 of Tinsel in Telluride

“But aren’t Bash and Holt’s teams in season right now?”

“Yeah, but Christmas is sacred.” The whimsy in his voice is downright adorable. The way these grown ass men covet this holiday has me almost believing in its magic again.

Almost.

“What about when you were playing?” It’s the only aspect of Bucket List Christmas I didn’t get the chance to ask Bash and Holt about.

“We all had it written into our contracts that we’d be missing those games.”

“Awww,” I sing-song, clutching his hand to my chest. “That is the sweetest, most thoughtful thing I’ve ever heard.”

“We try,” he says, taking a mock bow.

I blink up at him. “You’re not what I expected.”

“I tried to tell you that.”

He did. Over and over. During spring training. In countless messages. On the phone. And since we’ve been here.

And yet I’m still surprised every time he proves me wrong.

But maybe it’s time I meet him halfway.

I inhale a deep, steadying breath. Exhaling slowly, I admit,“I got scared inside.”

Luca straightens—his gaze going hard. “Why? Did one of the guys say something?”

“No, they’re great,” I reassure him, trying to find the right words.“It was you and Zach. I—It’s always just been the two of us. Me and him against the world. Seeing you guys together, it—If you’re his father, this is the start of something new for him that doesn’t include me. And as his mom, that’s terrifying.”

He searches my face and confusion pleats his brows. “I’m not here to exclude you or replace you, Leigh.”

“Logically I know that but tell that to my mom brain.”

He lifts a brow. “Mom brain?”

“Listen,” I admonish. “It's a real thing. Just wait until you’re so in love with that little boy that you will literally rip your own heart from your chest if it means saving him.”

Luca drops my hand and throws his up in mock surrender. “I believe you.”

I once again search his face for any malice and raise a brow when I still find none. Even when he’s been angry, it’s always been because of hurt or defeat, but never maliciousness.

“I’m struggling with reconciling the man in front of me from the man who stood in front of our town and lied.”

“I know. And I’m?—”

“Please, let me finish.”

He snaps his mouth shut and nods, threading his fingers through mine once more, giving a gentle squeeze.

I don’t pull away even though I should. A part of me likes the weight of his presence, ensuring me that he’s there and he’s listening.

As much as I needed his story, he needs to hear mine.

“You told the entire town I was a thief. They ostracized me, and that broke me. Then when they asked you again, you doubled down and said our house should be searched to make sure I didn’t steal from anyone else. And because you’re a Donati, they listened. Not that they found anything, but the damage had been done. Every summer until I left for college, I was alone with only my mom and dad to talk to because no one wanted to associate with the town thief. My family lost clients and their business struggled to stay afloat until my parents died.”

His hand tightens around mine, but he doesn’t utter a word, allowing me the space to continue.

“I thought that was the worst of it until my grandparents tried to earn their way back into the good graces of the Shady Grove elite by having your mother arrange a match for me. But really, it was so they could gain access to the trust fund my parents left to me. Only I can’t access it until I’m thirty or get married. Thankfully, I got pregnant, and your mother wouldn't dare sully anyone's name with a bastard child. So really, I guess I should be thanking you.”

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