Page 80 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
“Oh, thank you,anak. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten dressed up.”
I take in her flawless makeup and how she’s opted for a crimson lipstick. I can’t remember the last time she picked a color that bold, and it looks amazing on her. She even took the time to curl her shoulder-length black hair.
“That dress is so pretty,” I tell her.
“Oh, this old thing?” She blushes while glancing down at her cocoa-hued lace cocktail dress. “I haven’t worn it in forever.”
“You look amazing in it,” I say with a smile.
“Seriously, Auntie. You really do,” Millie says. Mom thanks her and hugs her before insisting she carry baby Evelyn.
After a few minutes, she hands her back to Millie and turns back to us.
“I can see where Maya gets her beauty from,” Theo says to her.
Mom’s cheeks are now ruby red as she smiles at him. “I’m sorry, have we met?”
“I haven’t had the pleasure.” He holds out his hand to shake Mom’s. “I’m Theo Thompson. Ingrid’s cousin.”
Mom beams. “Oh, that’s right! You’re staying with Maya, aren’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mom waves a hand. “My goodness, no calling me that. I feel so old.”
“No way. I’d have mistaken you for Maya’s older sister if she didn’t tell me you were her mom.”
Mom giggles like a teenager with a crush at Theo’s suave line while I chuckle behind my champagne glass.
“I should have recognized you as Ingrid’s cousin,” Mom says. “You two have the same beautiful blue eyes and blond hair.”
Theo chuckles. “It runs in the family.”
He grabs a glass of champagne and hands it to Mom. He offers to hold her purse when she grabs a prawn canapé.
She aims a smitten look at him. “Such a gentleman.” She turns to me. “Anak, you haven’t updated me on how things are going with that camp you two are doing together.”
“It’s good. Busy and exhausting,” I say.
“Kids will do that to you.” She laughs, then turns back to Theo. “That’s so charitable of you to spend your free time volunteering with kids. That must be so special for them to have a professional athlete like yourself teaching them so many wonderful things.”
This time Theo’s the one blushing.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I feel really lucky to be able to do it,” he says shyly.
“Well, you should be proud of yourselves. Both of you.” She beams at both of us before scooping my hand in hers. “Anak, it’s so nice having you back in town for longer than your usual short stays. Keep this camp going for as long as possible if only to keep my daughter around, will you?” she says to Theo.
“I’ll do my best,” he says.
Mom’s tone is joking, but I know she means it. She wants me to stay home as long as possible. She tells me that every time I’m home for a visit and it normally drives me nuts. But this time? I don’t feel an inkling of annoyance. This time when she says I should think about staying in Denver longer, it sounds fun. And exciting. And something else I can’t quite nail down right now.
It takes a moment, but I finally put a word to that feeling: settled.
The thought of sticking around—the thought of living in Ingrid’s cabin with Theo and running the hockey camp together doesn’t make me want to bolt like I expected it to. It makes me feel rooted and comfortable, like I belong here. And that’s not something I’ve felt in years.
Just then Mom’s clutch vibrates.
“My phone,” she announces.
