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THIRTY-EIGHT
lauren
We sit down for dinner, Granny rising with the flair of a Southern matriarch.
“Before we share family news,” she says, adjusting her glasses, “it’s time to announce the winner of the Olympics.
Now, we all know the paintball nearly took out Uncle Bobby’s knee again because he shouldn’t be running through the woods at his age. ”
“Hey now!” Uncle Bobby protests, patting his knee. “This old war wound still has some fight left.”
“You got that war wound falling off your riding mower,” Aunt Tammy says to her husband.
“But let’s not forget who pulled off the surprise upset of the Olympics.” Granny pauses. “The winners of this year’s Family Olympics—by one point—are Lauren and Tate!”
“Told you we’d win,” Tate says, pulling me into a hug. “Superior strategy and teamwork. The math was always in our favor.”
“Not gonna lie,” Uncle Ray says, raising his sweet tea, “I was cheering for you both instead of Bart the whole time.”
“And I think we can all agree this reunion improved considerably after Bart’s departure,” Dad adds. The whole table raises their glasses in agreement.
Granny looks around. “As always, on the last night we share any big news or life updates before we head our separate ways tomorrow. And I’d like to start by saying how much I appreciate Olivia and Lauren for helping organize this reunion.
Your mother would be so proud of you for carrying on a tradition she loved. ”
Everybody turns to us as my sister grabs my hand under the table, giving me a quick squeeze.
“And speaking of your mother,” Granny continues, “since Lauren fulfilled the requirements by staying the entire week, the Rose Williamson Memorial Foundation will be sending a check to the animal shelter when we get back.”
Everyone claps, and my eyes automatically find Annie curled up on her pillow, looking perfectly content after a week of being spoiled. She’s safe now—the shelter will stay open, and she’ll find a loving home. But the thought of leaving her behind if I move to Kansas City makes me sad.
I should be celebrating. The shelter’s saved, Mom’s promise fulfilled, and Tate and I made everyone believe we’re a couple. Instead, all I can think about is how many things I’ll be walking away from if things change.
“Jake and I wanted to make an announcement,” Olivia interrupts, glancing at her husband hesitantly. “We found out recently…we’re expecting again.”
Granny practically jumps out of her chair to hug them both, while Uncle Bobby lets out a whistle.
“I can’t wait for another baby in the family!” Aunt Karen says.
“Oh, this is wonderful news,” Aunt Tammy adds, wiping her eyes.
“How does Jake feel about this?” Uncle Ray asks with a grin. “Ready for three under five?”
Jake nods. “I’m excited, but I’ll be honest—the timing’s interesting. I just accepted a promotion that involves more travel. Something we didn’t know about beforehand.”
“Good thing Lauren’s around to help,” Aunt Tammy says, nodding toward me .
“She can’t spend all her time babysitting, now that she has Tate to think about,” Uncle Ray says with a wink.
“We always knew you’d find the right guy eventually,” Aunt Karen says. “Your mother would fully approve of this one.”
I glance down at my plate, suddenly unable to meet anyone’s eyes. Tate’s gaze falls on me, but he doesn’t say anything. He just gives me a quiet smile as his hand finds mine under the table.
Abby looks over at me. “Aren’t you going to tell them, Lauren?”
My stomach clenches as I meet her gaze. “Tell them what?”
“About Kansas City,” she urges.
Now everyone has turned toward me, waiting for an explanation.
“Okay, I guess I have an announcement too.” I take a shaky breath. “I’m interviewing next week for a job—in Kansas City.”
“The NHL?” Uncle Ray asks. “That’s the big leagues, Lauren.”
“We’re so proud of you,” Aunt Karen says. “Your mother always said you’d make it to the top.”
“It’s what you’ve always wanted,” Olivia reminds me.
Tate glances around the table. “No one’s more qualified for the job than Lauren. Kansas City’s lucky to even get an interview with her.”
“That’s right,” Dad agrees. “We always knew this day would come.”
It’s just like Tate said—they love me so much, they’re willing to smile, to accept my dreams even when those dreams take me away from them. Even Granny is smiling. “We’re so proud of you, Lauren.”
And I know she means it. But their support makes it worse somehow—makes the choice feel more final.
I push back my chair, feeling the pressure building in my chest. “Excuse me,” I say, then head out the back door.
When I step into the cool night air, my vision blurs as I blink and blink and blink. This is what I want, right? I’d be a fool not to take this opportunity.
The door creaks behind me, but I don’t turn around. I can sense his warm gaze on me already. “You didn’t have to follow me.”
“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Tate says, steady, like always. How does he do that? How does he stay so centered when I feel like I’m splintering into pieces?
He stands beside me, staring at the night sky above us.
“You were right,” I sigh. “They took it better than I thought. So well, in fact, it makes me question why I’m even considering leaving.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t deserve it, Tate.” My voice cracks a little. “They cheered us on during the competitions. Welcomed you in like family. They were kind and thoughtful and gracious when I didn’t deserve it—even when I almost didn’t stay for the reunion.”
“But you did,” he says reassuringly. “That’s what counts.”
I turn toward him. “And what about next reunion? What about when I need to tell them why you’re not there—especially now that they all adore you?
Because of course they like you; you charmed everyone.
And they’ll be disappointed that I brought you into the family only for you to disappear.
But not as crushed as me. Because you’re the reason this was the best reunion I’ve ever had. ”
He turns to face me fully, and eyes me steadily. “Why won’t I be at the next one?”
“Because this relationship isn’t even real.”
“What if it was?” The question hangs between us as he reaches for my hand. “What if we made this real?”
I sigh. “It can’t be. You know that.”
“Then give me your reasons,” he says in that logical tone I know so well. “Let’s lay them out. Right now. I can’t give you the facts unless I know why. ”
I take a deep breath. “Well, you could get signed by the NHL, or I could get this job in Kansas City. Long-distance relationships are brutal—different time zones, different lives. And even if we stay with the same team, you hated working with me on PR, remember? That tension doesn’t just disappear. ”
“You’re right. It doesn’t disappear,” he says calmly.
“But I’ve realized my reasons for hating the spotlight had nothing to do with you and everything to do with losing Hope.
That’s not your fault, and it’s not fair to punish you for it.
” His fingers tighten around mine. “As for long distance, people make it work every day. Right now, all your reasons are valid, but none of them prove we shouldn’t try. ”
“And the team situation?”
“There aren’t actually rules against it. You think I didn’t check the moment I realized I was falling for you?”
I rub my forehead. “What if once this bubble pops, you realize I’m terrible at relationships?”
“Who told you that?”
“No one. The evidence speaks for itself.”
Tate searches my face. “Maybe those relationships ended because they weren’t supposed to last. Maybe they were preparing you for this. For us. ”
His hand slides to my cheek. “Sunny, I started falling for you the minute you dragged me onto your Harley. You were focused and fearless and pushed me completely out of my comfort zone. You made me want to break my own rules. And then I realized it wasn’t just wanting—I was falling in love with you—the most illogical thing I’ve ever done. ”
I blink back the tears in my eyes.
“None of this was pretend for me,” he says quietly. “Not one single moment.”
“But Lydia…”
“Is not you .” His answer is immediate. “I told her no the second I got her message. She’s part of my past, but you’re my future. Couldn’t you tell when I kissed you? ”
“I thought you were acting,” I say. “Caught up in a moment.”
“Sunny.” His laugh is disbelieving. “If you think that was acting, then I missed my calling in Hollywood. My feelings won’t change because an ex sends a message. They won’t change even if you get the job in Kansas City. They won’t change, period.”
I search his face. “So you’re okay with me potentially leaving?”
“If that’s what makes you happy, then yes—as long as you feel the same about me.” He steps closer, near enough that I have to tilt my head back to see him clearly. “So the question is—do you?”
He waits for my answer patiently, his gaze never leaving mine.
“I’ve tried so hard not to love you,” I finally say. “Because you were a hockey player, because it was complicated, because I was scared. But I couldn’t stop myself. I love you so much it scares me. You’re making me question everything I thought I wanted.”
“Then maybe the Kansas City trip will be exactly what you need to make a decision.”
I blink. “You want me to go?”
“I want you to be sure .” He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “So here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to go to that interview, and while you’re there, you’re going to figure out what you really want. Just you. No pressure from your family, from me, from anyone.”
“A whole week without talking to you?”
He looks at me knowingly. “Oh, I’m counting on you trying to break that rule.” His thumb traces my lower lip, making my breath catch. “I’m betting by day three, you’ll be reaching for your phone, wishing you’d let me kiss you one more time.”
“Your predictions are annoyingly accurate sometimes,” I say, not fighting my smile.
“I hope,” he says with a chuckle. Then he leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. “I really, really want you to miss me, Sunny. Because I already know I’m going to be counting every second until you come back to me.”
His hands cup my face tenderly, thumbs tracing the curve of my cheekbones. When his lips finally meet mine, it’s breathtakingly gentle—a kiss that starts soft before deepening into something that rewrites my understanding of how good a kiss can be.
His lips move against mine like he’s memorizing the taste of me, the way I fit against him, and when his lips trail across my jaw, I melt completely. This isn’t just a kiss—it’s a promise. Something so achingly perfect I know I’ll be replaying it every moment I’m away from him.
When we finally step apart, his forehead rests against mine, and I can see myself reflected in his glasses. I want this week to go on forever—for us to stay frozen in our summer vacation bubble, alone in the cabin with nothing but candlelight as he reads to me until dawn.
But even as my heart is telling me to stay, to forget Kansas City and choose him right now, I know Tate is right. At some point, I have to be sure .
“There,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing across my lips. “Now you’ll have something to remember while you’re gone. And when you come back, if you still want this…” He holds my face in both hands, kissing my forehead lightly. “I’ll be here waiting for you.”
Table of Contents
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- Page 45 (Reading here)
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