Page 28 of Perfectly Complicated
She scoffs. “We both know that judge let you win because she’s a hockey fan.” She nearly spits the words at me, and I can’t deny it. Being a professional athlete comes with a few perks and this is one of them.
That’s when she stares at her gingerbread house with disgust. “What’s the point of making something beautiful if it doesn’t matter anyway?” The hurt in her voice cuts through me.
For a second, I wonder if we’re even talking about gingerbread houses anymore. I thought this was just a silly competition. Another challenge issued by Little Miss Christmas.
Before I can ask, she sets her jaw and raises her fist, ready to flatten it with one blow.
I don’t think—I just move. In two strides, I’m in front of her, catching both her wrists before she can do something she’ll regret. “You’re not destroying this,” I say firmly.
She blinks at me, before her gaze drops to where my hands wrap completely around her wrists. “Why are you stopping me? It’s my house.”
“Because…” How do I explain that I’m not just saving a gingerbread house? That somewhere between her disappointment and my guilt, this stopped being about winning?
“It’s gorgeous,” I add, my voice lower now. Then I make the mistake of actually looking at her. I have to tilt my head down tomeet her gaze. She barely reaches my shoulders, this tiny firecracker of a woman with big energy who somehow makes me feel like I’m the one who’s small. Her wrists are soft under my hands, and I realize I could lift her without even trying. That thought sends a jolt of electricity through my body.
“Because you made it. And it’s way better than mine, no matter what that judge says.” I shake my head. “I didn’t win fairly. You’re absolutely right.”
She blinks several times, like she’s trying to process my words. “You’re admitting I’mright?”
I nod, still holding on to her wrists, not because I think she’ll actually destroy it now, but because I’m not ready to let go.
“But why would you save it?” she asks.
“Because this house is incredible. You put your whole heart into it, and watching you create something beautiful…” I pause. “It’s mesmerizing.”
She swallows before pulling back slightly. I let go of her wrists and she smooths her sweater, trying to compose herself. For a moment, neither of us knows what to say.
She starts cleaning up again. “So, what are you going to make me do? I bet you have plenty of ideas about how to ruin this festival now that you get to pick the next activity.”
“I changed my mind,” I say. “I’m going to let you pick the next activity. We both know you should have won.”
Her gaze narrows, like she expects some catch. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you look like someone just told you Christmas is canceled.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “And I can’t take seeing you disappointed.”
She scoffs. “You’re making fun of me.”
“I’m not.”
She lifts her eyebrows in surprise. “The grinch actually has a heart?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t make a big deal about it.” I run a hand through my hair. “Listen, we both can’t bemiserable today. And even though I hate Christmas, you know what I hate just as much?”
She frowns slightly. “What?”
“Watching you look like you got your heart broken.”
For a moment, she pauses like she’s trying to figure out if I’m serious. “What has gotten into you, Riley? I thought your whole goal was to beat me.”
“Beat you, yes. But not hurt you.” I force myself to meet her eyes again, even though everything in me wants to crack a joke,deflect.
Because that’s what I do. Flirting, sarcasm, keeping things light—it’s always been my armor. A way to keep people from seeing what’s actually going on inside. It’s worked pretty well for this long—keeping people at a distance so I didn’t have to deal with…whatever this uncomfortable feeling is.
It feels like standing on the ice in just my skates—no pads, no helmet, completely exposed to the next hit.
And I hate every second of it.
“So what are you going to choose, Bennett?” I ask, changing the subject while avoiding her confused glare. Mentally, I’m bracing myself for something involving craft glue and glitter.
