Page 109 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show

And all the sadness that filled my cells before, that started to drift away when he took my hand in his, flutter away.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Luke

I want to keep Sebastian with me forever, safe in here with me, his face now devoid of tears.

The marble bathroom gleams, golden veins winding through the cream marble. Someone remodeled it before Troy and I moved in here, and I like the light that shines when I flick on the faucet and that dances from the top of the crown molding. Technology meets old school.

But it’s morning, and something else normally happens then.

“Let me make you breakfast,” I say.

“You cook?” Sebastian’s eyes round.

“Was that shock?”

“Maybe,” Sebastian admits, and he tilts his head as he assesses me.

“I’m a professional athlete. Nutrition is necessary.”

“So, you’re like the bran muffin expert?” Sebastian’s eyes dance.

“I’ve been known to make some sick high-fiber baked goods before.”

“I thought professional athletes chugged chocolate-flavored protein powder and called it a day.”

“It’s all about the micronutrients, Sebastian. Protein plus vegetables is totally the way to go.” I lean closer. “But those ingredients can be used to mimic all sorts of baked goods too.”

“So, you have a spiralizer.”

“I’m not making you pasta for breakfast, baby.”

His eyes heat at the endearment, and I’m happy he’s feeling better. He’s going to feel much better after he eats.

“It’s not just me,” I say. “Vinnie is a great cook.”

“That scary-looking defenseman?”

“Well, he is most at home with fire,” I say.

Sebastian’s blue eyes widen, and I smile.

“He and Evan have one of those fancy antique-looking gas stoves that are totally new.”

“Ah.”

I shrug. “And Finn puts out a lot of videos on nutrition. Noah and Finn make the best smoothies.”

“You going to make me some ground-up vegetables and fruit for breakfast?”

I smirk. “As if that’s not popular in LA.”

“It’s totally popular.”

“I thought I would make you something more Massachusetts appropriate.”

“Oh, yeah?”