Page 24 of Offside for Christmas
Cole found himself looking at her differently. Really looking. At the woman who'd shown up at his apartment at 8 AM to yell at him, who'd put him through hours of PT without breaking a sweat, who apparently spent her free time organizing half the town's Christmas celebrations—and who believed, genuinely believed, that Christmas mattered.
"You really love Christmas," he said, and it came out less sarcastic than he'd intended. More... curious.
Ellie's expression immediately shifted back to defensive. "What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing." Cole held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. "Just... intense."
"Says the guy who showed up five minutes early this morning because he was afraid I'd break down his door again," Ellie shot back.
Mac looked between them, his grin widening to dangerous proportions. "Oh, this ishappening."
"Nothing is happening," Ellie and Cole said simultaneously, then glared at each other for the synchronization.
"Right." Mac was clearly enjoying himself far too much. "Anyway, Saturday, 7 PM. Not optional, dude. Team bonding."
"I'm not on the team yet."
"Exactly!" Mac pointed at him like he'd just made Mac's argument for him. "Which is why you need to come. How else are we supposed to get to know you?"
"Mac doesn't take no for an answer," Ellie said, resigned. "Fair warning."
"Ellie's coming too," Mac said, wiggling his eyebrows in a way that was probably supposed to be subtle but absolutely wasn't. "Right, El?"
"I always come," Ellie said, her professional mask firmly in place. "It's a team tradition."
"See?" Mac turned back to Cole, grin widening. "Ellie will be there."
"That's not—Mac, stop—" Ellie's cheeks were definitely pink now.
Cole looked between them, something like amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Does he ever shut up?"
"Never," Ellie said flatly.
"It's part of my charm!" Mac was already backing toward the door. "Saturday. I'll text you the address. Don't be late. We're doing Secret Santa, so bring a gift. Twenty dollar limit. Nothing inappropriate." He paused. "Well, nothingtooinappropriate."
And then he was gone, leaving behind the faint scent of cologne and the echo of his laughter in the hallway.
Cole turned back to Ellie, who was determinedly not looking at him. "Does he always—"
"Yes. All the time. It's exhausting." She was reorganizing equipment that didn't need organizing. "You don't have to go. Mac gets overenthusiastic about team events."
"You're really going to this thing?"
"It's tradition," Ellie said, defensive. "The team is..."
She trailed off, and Cole found himself finishing the sentence for her. "Your family?"
Ellie looked up, surprise flickering across her face. "Yeah. They are."
Something shifted in Cole's chest. A familiar ache that he'd gotten very good at ignoring over the years.
"Must be nice."
Ellie studied him, and Cole had the uncomfortable feeling that she was seeing more than he wanted to show.
"You should come," she said finally. "To the party. The guys are good people. And Mac's right—it would be a chance to get to know everyone."
"I'll think about it."
