Page 119 of Perfectly Grumpy

And I know she means it. But their support makes it worse somehow—makes the choice feel more final.

I push back my chair, feeling the pressure building in my chest. “Excuse me,” I say, then head out the back door.

When I step into the cool night air, my vision blurs as I blinkand blink and blink.This is what I want, right?I’d be a fool not to take this opportunity.

The door creaks behind me, but I don’t turn around. I can sense his warm gaze on me already. “You didn’t have to follow me.”

“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Tate says, steady, like always. How does he do that? How does he stay so centered when I feel like I’m splintering into pieces?

He stands beside me, staring at the night sky above us.

“You were right,” I sigh. “They took it better than I thought. So well, in fact, it makes me question why I’m even considering leaving.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t deserve it, Tate.” My voice cracks a little. “They cheered us on during the competitions. Welcomed you in like family. They were kind and thoughtful and gracious when I didn’t deserve it—even when I almost didn’t stay for the reunion.”

“But you did,” he says reassuringly. “That’s what counts.”

I turn toward him. “And what about next reunion? What about when I need to tell them why you’re not there—especially now that they all adore you? Because of course they like you; you charmed everyone. And they’ll be disappointed that I brought you into the family only for you to disappear. But not as crushed as me. Because you’re the reason this was the best reunion I’ve ever had.”

He turns to face me fully, and eyes me steadily. “Why won’t I be at the next one?”

“Becausethisrelationship isn’t even real.”

“What if it was?” The question hangs between us as he reaches for my hand. “What if we made this real?”

I sigh. “It can’t be. You know that.”

“Then give me your reasons,” he says in that logical tone I know so well. “Let’s lay them out. Right now. I can’t give you the facts unless I know why.”

I take a deep breath. “Well, you could get signed by the NHL, or I could get this job in Kansas City. Long-distance relationships are brutal—different time zones, different lives. And even if we stay with the same team, you hated working with me on PR, remember? That tension doesn’t just disappear.”

“You’re right. It doesn’t disappear,” he says calmly. “But I’ve realized my reasons for hating the spotlight had nothing to do with you and everything to do with losing Hope. That’s not your fault, and it’s not fair to punish you for it.” His fingers tighten around mine. “As for long distance, people make it work every day. Right now, all your reasons are valid, but none of them prove we shouldn’t try.”

“And the team situation?”

“There aren’t actually rules against it. You think I didn’t check the moment I realized I was falling for you?”

I rub my forehead. “What if once this bubble pops, you realize I’m terrible at relationships?”

“Who told you that?”

“No one. The evidence speaks for itself.”

Tate searches my face. “Maybe those relationships ended because they weren’t supposed to last. Maybe they were preparing you for this. Forus.”

His hand slides to my cheek. “Sunny, I started falling for you the minute you dragged me onto your Harley. You were focused and fearless and pushed me completely out of my comfort zone. You made me want to break my own rules. And then I realized it wasn’t just wanting—I was falling in love with you—the most illogical thing I’ve ever done.”

I blink back the tears in my eyes.

“None of this was pretend for me,” he says quietly. “Not one single moment.”

“But Lydia…”

“Is notyou.” His answer is immediate. “I told her no the second I got her message. She’s part of my past, but you’re my future. Couldn’t you tell when I kissed you?”

“I thought you were acting,” I say. “Caught up in a moment.”

---