Page 56 of The Mistletoe Trap
“Why didn’t you mention running into Kristin?” She’d meant for it to come out more casually, but the pinch of jealousy in her gut sharpened the words and punctuated the air.
“I wasn’t purposely not mentioning it. You and I have hardly had the chance to talk today. It was a little awkward at first, but good overall.” He was holding back, and Julie crossed her arms to show him she knew it.
Gavin glanced at their families, who were on their way, in theory, but were firm believers in southern goodbyes, which involved at least a dozen hugs, several variations of classic farewells, and approximately thirty minutes of inching toward the door or vehicle for the last and final goodbye.
“Kristin told me that she’s so glad she finally stopped living my dream so she could find her own slice of happiness that was all hers.” He chipped at a patch of dirty, hardened snow with the toe of his shoe. “You know, since I held her back for so long. I did my best to apologize—for that and more—but she mentioned the years she wasted not doing whatsheloved twice.”
“That’s bullshit,” Julie said, and Gavin’s head shot up, along with his eyebrows. Did he expect her to take Kristin’s side? Not that there were sides, but still. “You never held her back, Gavin. If she wanted to make soaps and lotions, she could’ve done that in any of the places you lived.”
He shrugged his uninjured shoulder, and Julie placed her gloved hand on his cheek so he’d hear her loud and clear. “That’s not on you. It’s mighty convenient to blame someone else for not going after what you want. She constantly complained she had nothing but alone time, so where were her efforts and dreams then?
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it wasn’t lonely for her, or that she didn’t have her struggles. But you’re the best cheerleader ever. You showed up for my science awards, and for my graduation ceremony despite having just played a huge game. And as you pointed out yesterday, you were the biggest proponent of me going after that promotion. You gave me that awesome ‘go get ’em, tiger’ pep talk seconds before I stepped into the office for the interview.”
Damn the sun for setting and the streetlight at his back casting his face in shadows. It made him even harder to read than usual. A glimpse of white teeth accompanied the quirk of his mouth. “Are you saying I should slip into a cheerleading uniform instead of those tight pants that—as you pointed out—put my butt on display for the whole world to see?”
Considering the cold nipping at her skin, she welcomed the flush in her cheeks. “Definitely. And the shorter the skirt, the better. I’m so sick of the nasty side effects the radioactive spills I’ve attempted in my lab to give me X-ray vision have caused. It’d be way easier on me if I didn’t have to try to see through those tight pants to get a peek at those strong hairy thighs.”
He chuckled, and so did she, until white puffs left them semi-shrouded in their own little cloud. “I think I’d miss the ‘good game’ pats too much to trade in the spandex.” He twisted and popped out a butt cheek.
The crunch of approaching footsteps implied their families had reached the last step of their however-many-point goodbye, so Julie quickly smacked his butt—hey, it was a rough job, but someone had to do it.
Then Rashad and Darlene rounded the SUV in their matching red tie and dress outfits, and her and Gavin’s fleeting alone time had been gobbled up. While she’d enjoyed their ride through town, a sense of urgency filled her, leaving every nerve ending screaming.
In two more days, they’d go their separate directions, and life would get hectic in that way it always did. Gavin would have the team to focus on, then playoffs, and whatever came after.
She’d have organs to dissect and the supervisor position to attend to that’d keep her extremely busy for the foreseeable future. They might not be able to pull off a long-distance relationship, but at the same time, she didn’t want to return to Arizona filled with regret. Didn’t want to have to always wonder what could’ve been.
Yet she also couldn’t stand the idea of losing Gavin as a friend. Almost as much as she couldn’t stand the idea of going their whole lives without testing how good they could truly be together.
There had to be some middle ground. A way to cross lines without getting tangled in them.
Gavin helped her into the back of the Frosts’ SUV, keeping hold of her hand even after her seat belt was secured in place, and Julie decided Grams might’ve had the best advice after all.
Seize the moment. Regardless of how much the after part might hurt.
Chapter Twenty
“Getting engaged,” Mom guessed, and Julie did a lip-purse-head-tilt combo to relay her dismay over it.
“It’s Christmas-themed, Peggy,” Gavin said, and Darlene immediately blurted out, “A Christmas wedding!”
Gavin looked at Julie and they shared anAre they for realexpression.
Christmas Charades had been announced as tonight’s game, and Julie took control of the situation by announcing she and Gavin would be on a team together before their parents informed them that they would be. It was supposed to stifle the not-so-subtle hints from their mothers, but naturally they found a way around it.
“He is down on one knee,” Rashad pointed out.
Julie glanced from Rashad to Gavin, who was, in fact, on one knee. But he was also miming patting snow. “It’s Frosty the Snowman, and he’s building the bottom part.”
“Well then why are you swooning with your arms wrapped around yourself like that?” Granny Frost asked. “And then you took the ring from him.”
“I was shivering, and then he was passing me a metaphorical carrot.” Julie repeated the motion, as if that would clear things up.
“Frosty the Snowman,” Niki shouted, and then she popped to her feet. “Our team wins, so it’s our turn to go.” She grabbed a folded slip of paper from the candy dish and gestured for Grams to join her. As the two of them moved to stand at the front of the room, where Julie and Gavin were, Niki whispered, “You’re welcome.”
Julie gave her a quick hug. “Have I mentioned I adore you?”
“Yeah, yeah. Figured it was my turn to take the heat off you two. Little tip for you and Gavin: partway through, act like you’re going to the kitchen for food, and then you can escape upstairs. I’ll make sure no one comes searching for a while.”
