Page 35 of That Thing You Brew
“I, um, have a boyfriend,” I said. Gabby squealed and clapped. Everyone was smiling. Before I lost my nerve and everyone got loud, I dropped my bomb. “And … a fiancé.”
“What! Congrats, man.” Noel stood up and crossed the room to shake Xavier’s hand. Gabby was still squealing. Tasha was smiling, my parents were blinking, and everyone else was just staring at us.
Xavier was beaming. Like a kid at Christmas.
He was selling it like a boss.
“We’re excited for you,” my mother said. “It just seems … sudden. How long have you been dating? Are you sure about this?”
Xavier cleared his throat, and we exchanged a glance. I nodded at him to say his part. “Itissudden. My grandfather died earlier this week. He was my best friend.” He paused for murmurs of condolences. “Thanks. I’ve had time to do a lot of thinking. About the way he lived his life, about the way I want to live mine. He loved my Oma more than anything and always said being married to her and building their life together was his greatest achievement and deepest joy.”
He looked down at me and grinned. I smiled shyly.
“Penny and I … we’ve never defined the connection we have, not until now. I don’t want to waste any more time. She is … She’s everything to me. More than hockey. I want us to build a future, starting now. Well, February twentieth. We’d love your blessing and for you to attend.”
“And—” I swallowed. “To keep it all a secret until the season’s over. The team is very superstitious.”
Noel narrowed his eyes. “It’s bad luck to make any major life changes during the season. Why can’t you wait?”
Xavier leveled a gaze on him. “I won’t entertain that marrying Penny could be bad luck. And we don’t want to take any attention away from your wedding. It’s been years coming, and everyone is looking forward to it. As far as a major change, there’s already been two this week. Opa dying and the Coffee Loft taking over the Bevvie Bar. This will be the third, and it’s agoodchange. How can it possibly be unlucky when I’ll literally have my lucky Penny by my side?”
The collective sigh from the women told me he’d won over at least half the room.Phew.I didn’t think Noel was truly convinced, nor anyone else for that matter. But they were supportive. My grandfather sent Gabby’s brother Jake to the pantry for a bottle of bubbly to celebrate.
When the drinks were poured, my dad raised his glass. “To Penny and Xavier and their happy future.”
I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Luckily, after the excitement died down, people started to leave.
We walked to Xavier’s car, and I waved to Liam across the street. He was up on the roof, taking down the Christmas lights at his and Beck’s house. He and his brothers grew up there, and Beck had lived next door to them. They were a little older than us Palmer grandkids, so we didn’t play with them often. I made a mental note to message Beck to ask them not to mention Xavier was here today. Although him coming to church with us might start the gossip train. I needed to stress that we were just getting to know each other. It wasn’t a lie.
Xavier opened the passenger door, and I slid into the low seat. Tasha was parked behind us, so we followed her back to downtown.
“That went well,” he said. “They took it much better than my family did.”
“It did,” I said. “Noel seemed a bit irked. And Tasha isn’t thrilled, but she’ll come around.”
“They’ll work it out.” Xavier made the turn into the parking lot. “Would you like me to come up?”
I shook my head. “Nah. I’d avoid Tasha for a few days if I were you.” I flashed him a teasing grin. “She can be scary when she thinks she knows best.”
“Noted. But I don’t find her scary at all. Just protective. I’m sure I can win her over with time.” He shifted the car into park in front of the lobby doors. “Do you think … we should practice kissing a little more often, you know, in public so that we can really sell it? We wouldn’t want anyone to think we weren’t crazy about each other. And … it’s New Year’s Eve.”
“Why, Xavier Schwann.” I booped him on the nose with the tip of my finger. “I do believe you enjoy kissing me so much you just need an official excuse for more.”
His eyebrows knitted as if to challenge me, but then his lips spread into a roguish grin. “Guilty as charged.”
I laughed and leaned in, wanting to kiss that wicked smile right off his face. “You can kiss me whenever and wherever you wish. No need to ask. Ever.” I closed my eyes and waited for his soft lips to touch mine.
Click!
He depressed the button at my side, and I chuckled into his kiss as my seat belt retracted toward the door. Our arms wrapped around one another, seeking the connection and security we both so craved.
A car horn honked behind us, and I reluctantly pulled away. “I’d better go. When will I see you again?”
“You could come to the game tonight. I forgot to ask you earlier.” The back of his hand stroked my cheek, and he leaned his head to the side. “I got you a jersey.”
“You did?” I asked.
He shifted, snaking his arm into the back to retrieve a reusable Denver Edge shopping bag with Zaki Marsch’s likeness on the front. “They haven’t made any Swanny bags yet,” he joked.
