Page 24 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show
Sebastian’s face shutters when I mention the crowns, and I wish I’d kept silent. I preferred seeing his eyes rolling in pleasure when he was eating.
I’m pretty sure rest is something he also needs, and short of proposing he lie down on the floor, sans-pillow, sans-mattress, sans-blanket and sleep while the rest of the TV show happens outside, I want to do my part in hurrying this to an end.
Sebastian explains the next steps, then tells me to wait while he announces to the women that the floral crown ceremony is beginning.
When Ella opens the door for me, Sebastian is waiting beside the Christmas tree. I take my place beside him.
The lights shine on Sebastian’s face, bestowing him with a golden halo. The women file in front of us, their faces somber and scared, as if my next words will matter greatly to them.
I hope they don’t.
I hope I won’t hurt anyone.
I don’t think I will, because we’ve only had the most cursory of conversations, but I still hope the tears that sometimes happen after these scenes in past episodes are because of more impressive Mr. Rights, more genuine connections, or at least a flair for drama and emotion that has nothing to do with me.
I move to the front of the room. The women flash nervous, frozen smiles, and my gaze bounces from woman to woman, as the swirling sensation in my stomach grows.
I inch closer to Sebastian, only relaxing when we’re close enough that our hands could brush together, and our shoulders could graze each other, if we both turned just so.
“Why don’t you stand by the podium?” Sebastian suggests, his voice low and rumbling.
I move back toward the podium, my skin heating.
My whole team will see this. My family. Will other hockey players watch this too? I hope not. Players might be less likely to consider me intimidating when they’ve seen me in a reality TV show ceremony.
No matter.
I square my shoulders.
This is totally fine.
I’ve faced far worse things.
Then Sebastian begins to speak. “Good evening, ladies. Tonight marks a pivotal moment in your journey with Mr. Right. As we stand beside this Christmas tree, surrounded by the warmth of the season, Luke must make the challenging decision of which five of you will continue on this path to true love. While every one of you has brought something special to this experience, half of our wonderful group will be saying goodbye tonight. Remember that whether you receive a floral crown or not, you’ve each contributed to making this Christmas season truly magical.”
The cameras start to pan, and some of them move close to me. I force myself to look sufficiently dismayed, an effort the women are also making.
Sebastian nods to me. “Would you like to say some words, Luke?”
“This was a difficult decision,” I say. “I wish all of you every happiness in life.”
“And now for the true magic of the evening—our floral crown ceremony.” Sebastian’s voice is confident, and I wonder if I imagined our time together in the poinsettia room. “Each crown represents not just the possibility of love, but the promise of more cherished Christmas memories to come. Luke, who will receive your first crown?”
I lift the poinsettia crown up. “Willow.”
Willow, a new medical school graduate whom I’ve barely spoken to, smiles and slinks toward me.
I place the floral crown on her head.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
She joins the rest of the women, and we allow some time for the cameras to pan over the other women’s faces.
“It’s okay to look disappointed and worried,” Ella says.
The women look more disappointed and worried, and the cameras pan them again.
Then it’s time to announce the next woman who is staying, and I pick up another floral crown.
