Page 102 of Body Check

“I haven’t even decided anythingfor sureyet,” Dakota said, smiling too. “Isn’t it too soon to have him meet the family?”

“He’s met us already, you dummy,” she said lightly.

“Yeah, but not like this,” Dakota said. Because while a part of him wanted it—really wanted it—hewasstill scared. Still scared Gavin might wind up being like Bryce.

Scared to get his damn heart broken and have to start his life over again, only this time without his sister. Because if it went sideways with Gavin, he couldn’t imagine seeing him around the practice facility and arena all the time.

And then Dakota flinched because the thought of not seeing Gavin was even worse.

“Yousaidyou haven’t decided anything for sure,” Violet said in a soft tone. “But somehow, I don’t think that’s quite true.”

Dakota sighed, because as usual, his sister was right.

TWENTY-TWO

The bottle of wine was slippery in Gavin’s hand as he carried it toward the townhouse where Violet, Jeff, their kids, and Dakota lived. He’d been surprised by the invitation to join them for Christmas Eve, and even more surprised when Dakota had suggested he spend a few days there and then promptly tried to talk him out of it.

“Well, I mean, we’re supposed to get a big snowstorm, so it makes sense for you to stay. But we’ll have to share a really small bed,” Dakota had said apologetically. “And my room is tiny. This is weird, right? Maybe we should?—”

But Gavin had kissed him, shut up his words with a press of his lips at the thought of not being alone for the holidays. At getting to spend it with a happy family. At the joy of knowing Dakota was willing to see where things could go between them.

“It sounds perfect,” Gavin had murmured.

Dakota had kissed him back before pushing him away, gaze darting around because they’d been in his studio and they reallyshouldn’t have been kissing here at work, but he’d been smiling too.

And now, Gavin’s heart rested somewhere in his throat as he knocked on the front door of Violet and Jeff’s townhouse.

He was relieved when the door swung open to reveal Dakota, wearing a hesitant smile, jeans, and a soft-looking green sweater. “Hi,” he said, wetting his lips. “Come in.”

“Hi.” Gavin swallowed, stepping into the townhouse. He was hit by warm air and the scent of cookies baking. He leaned in, brushing their lips together.

Dakota reached up, curling a hand around his neck, turning the kiss more heated, but a small voice broke through.

“Unka Dak-Dak!”

They broke away with a laugh and Gavin glanced down to see a small blonde girl tugging at Dakota’s sleeve.

“Who’s dat?” she whispered as he scooped her up.

“This is Gavin,” Dakota said quietly. “He’s my friend.”

“Your boyfwend?”

“Uhh, yeah.” Dakota shot Gavin a little look through his lashes before he glanced back at his niece. “He’s going to spend Christmas with us, Daisy.”

“Yay!” She clapped her hands and Gavin smiled at the warm welcome.

“Well, let the poor man in the place, Dakota!” Violet said with a laugh as she approached. “Hi, Gavin.”

“Hi, Violet.” He handed over the bottle of wine. “Dakota said you like red wine, so …”

“Oh, that’s so sweet. Unnecessary, but I’m not mad about it.”

They all laughed.

“Please, take off your coat. You can hang it on the hooks by the door there and leave your wet boots on the mat.”

It had started snowing last night and the snowplows had been working nonstop all day. Gavin couldn’t remember the last time they’d had a white Christmas and he was looking forward to it.

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