Page 87 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
Austin touches my arm. When I turn back to him, I take in the knowing look in his eyes. “Tell me,” he says after a minute.
I let out a breath, wondering why I bother to hide anything from my cousin. He can read me like a book. I spill everything—how I couldn’t stand Theo at first but slowly started to like him as I got to know him while living together. How working together and seeing him dote on the kids at the hockey camp made me like him even more. How we started as a casual hookup, nothing serious at all.
“But, um, the thing is…” I clear my throat. “I think I’m starting to catch feelings for him.”
Austin flashes a warm smile at me. He pulls me into a side hug. “I can tell. You haven’t brought a guy home to meet us since…” He frowns and looks off to the side, like he’s concentrating extra hard. “God, was it your high school prom?”
I glance down at the floor, my stomach flipping at the realization. “I think you’re right.”
“Why are you so skittish about this?” Austin asks.
I steal another glance at Theo, who’s grinning even though he’s currently at sixty pushups. A second later Tyler drops to the floor and the crowd groans. Then it’s down to just Theo and Gage. Their arms are shaking at this point as they struggle to push up every time they drop to the floor. Gage finally flops to the ground, leaving Theo to finish one final pushup before falling to the ground too. When he does, everyone cheers.
The three of them are panting as they smile and shake hands. Theo stands up, a bashful smile on his face as my family cheers for him.
My heart does that fluttering thing again. I hazard a glance at my cousin, but I stay quiet.
“Theo is amazing, Maya,” Austin says. I look back at him. “He’s kind and funny and easy to talk to. And he’s a good sport. You saw the way he handled Millie’s baby like a champ. Most people would be running for the hills if their friend-with-benefits’ cousin handed off their baby to them.”
I chuckle weakly at his wording. He’s right.
“He seems down to join whatever we’re doing,” Austin says. “He fits in so well with our family. I mean, we’re loud and we talk non-stop and we force hugs and food on him and still he sticks around. And as a bonus, he’s ridiculously good-looking. He’s a keeper for sure.”
“Yeah, but he’s also a pro hockey player who’s built a reputation for being a ladies’ man.”
Austin doesn’t even blink at what I’ve said. He nods his chin over at Theo, who’s chatting with Becca and Tori while guzzling down a glass of water. Theo catches eyes with me and gives me a heart-stopping grin, like he’s thrilled to see me even though he’s been looking at me all day and nightandcan’t wait to tear my clothes off. Goosebumps flash across my skin.
“You guys have been living together for what now, a month?” Austin asks.
“Yeah.”
“And how many times has he hooked up with anyone else other than you?”
“Austin, there’s a reason for that. He’s trying to makeover his image so he can play for his team again. He wouldn’t risk that to hook up with some rando. Besides, I’m only here temporarily. Even if we do decide to make things between us official, we wouldn’t last. Once Theo figures out his next move and moves out of Ingrid’s place, I’m heading back to San Diego to work as her personal assistant again. We’ll be thousands of miles from each other.”
Austin shakes his head like he’s disappointed in me.
“It would never work, Austin. The only reason it works now is because we’re stuck in the same house together.” My tone is firm and insistent as I speak, but I can’t help but feel off, like I’m trying to convince myself.
Austin looks at me like he’s disappointed. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re doing what you usually do and tossing up every excuse to sabotage yourself because you’re scared. Because you’re scared to take any sort of risk with your heart.”
The pointed way my cousin speaks puts me on the defensive instantly. I cross my arms and turn away, but he gently touches my shoulder.
“I’m sorry.” I can tell by the look in his gold-brown eyes that he means it. “I didn’t mean to sound so judgmental. Really. I can just tell that you’re happy with him, Maya. Happier than I’ve seen you in a long time. I’ve never seen you smile this much with anyone.” He hesitates. “Can you promise me something? Don’t completely write off a future with Theo, at least not just yet. At least think about it.”
I feel myself soften at my cousin’s heartfelt words. I hug him. “Okay. I will.”
“Now go congratulate your man,” Austin says. “He keeps flashing heart eyes at you.”
I chuckle and walk over to Theo. “That was an impressive showing.”
When I squeeze his bicep, he winces.
“Shoot, sorry. Feeling sore?”
He nods and grins. “Worth it though.”
He runs a hand through his sandy blond waves, which are mussed and falling in every angle from the impromptu push-up contest with my brothers. His face is flushed pink, his shirt is rumpled, and for a long second, all I can do is stand there and drink in the gorgeous visual of him, looking disheveled and dashing all at once.
