Page 48 of Fake It Till We Fall
Her brows lifted. “Have you ever thought about doing anything else?”
I studied her for a beat before turning it around on her. “Have you?”
Her lips parted, but she didn’t answer right away, and I found myself wanting that answer more than I should have.
Harper
His question lingeredin the air between us.
Have you?
How could he know that I’d been thinking of it? More than I wanted to admit.
It should have been easy to laugh it off and tell him,Of course not. My life is elsewhere, in galleys on super-yachts in exotic locations halfway around the world. Far from this small-town, basic life.
I was living the life I’d always wanted. The one I’d given up everything for when I was a kid. The life I’d givenhimup for.
But I couldn’t say that.
Because the truth was, the longer I’d been back in Trickle Creek, the harder it was to ignore the tiny voice inside me whispering,Maybe.
So I pressed my lips together and let him lead me around the rink again. I studied him as we circled the ice together. His jaw set against the cold, his hand firmly in mine. How had he never had a relationship after I left? A man like him?
Grayson had been the boy every girl wanted in high school. Handsome, athletic, and smart. Unlike his twin brother, who seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about everything, Grayson was warm and friendly to everyone.
Now, he was the man everyone depended on. One everyone respected. Solid. Reliable. And somehow, even more handsome. He was a catch by any standard.
It was a mystery how he hadn’t been snatched up yet.
But then again…would he have been enough for me all those years ago? If he hadn’t pushed me away, would I have stayed? Would I have been happy with the small-town life?
The life he loved so much.
The thought made my chest ache.
I opened my mouth, the beginnings of a:Maybe I have thought about stayingon my tongue?—
“Grayson! Harper!”
We both turned as Tilley Beckett swooped wildly and dangerously toward us. Grayson reached out with his free arm just in time to keep her from crashing into us.
Her sparkly red scarf flew out behind her; gaudy glittery Santa hat earrings dangled from her ears, catching the twinkling lights. Somehow, Tilley’s ever-present clipboard was tucked under her arm, even out on the ice.
“Just the happy couple I’ve been wanting to run into,” she said as she found her balance. “Are you two having fun?” She wiggled her brows.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Another great event, Tilley,” Grayson said. “I don’t know what this town would do without you.”
“It certainly wouldn’t be nearly as festive,” I added.
“You two are way too kind.” She flipped open her clipboard and produced a small white envelope. “But you are equally responsible for the Christmas cheer in this town,” she said. “Which is why I’m so pleased to present this to you.”
She pressed the envelope into Grayson’s hand before he could protest.
He frowned, glancing down at it. “What’s this?”
“It’s nothing.” Tilley waved her hand. “Just a little token of appreciation from the festival committee.”
