Page 119 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show

“If I was an idiot,” Bryce exclaims, his face breaking into a joyful grin.

It’s the sort of grin that makes you want to smile with him. To be happy for his happiness. And maybe I let him get away for things too long. Maybe too many people did that. Bryce is Mr. Charismatic, but he still puts people in categories like he always has.

Flora frowns, and she glances at me with a look of something that seems like understanding. I haven’t said anything, and I’m not sure why she would look at me in that manner.

I feel exposed, raw, and her eyes soften, and she gives me a sweet smile.

Bryce starts talking about the gym facilities, and my throat dries. I glance around, recognizing some of the classrooms, remembering days I’d prefer to leave forgotten.

Finally, we enter the gym, and Bryce holds the door open with a flourish. “Dank and dark and dreary. Welcome to my little brother’s favorite place.”

Willow gives a weak laugh, one Flora doesn’t bother to echo. Even Ella looks exhausted, more check-out clerk on Black Friday, than cheerful TV producer. Bryce’s rambling tour and monologue of embarrassing stories about me are exhausting.

Ella never asks Bryce to repeat a story, to make sure the crew catches every word.

We enter the gym. It hasn’t been updated since I was last here, and it is amazing I made it to the NHL. God, I came a long way.

I fling my gaze around the room and meet Sebastian’s eyes.

“I think we can ask Luke some questions in here,” Sebastian says.

“You mean, askmequestions here?” Bryce asks.

Sebastian stiffens. This is the first time Bryce has looked at Sebastian, and I hate it.

“Luke will do,” Sebastian says, and the crew sets up cameras in one corner of the room.

Bryce’s eyes narrow.

Shit.

“You look familiar.”

“I’ve hosted twelve seasons of different reality TV shows,” Sebastian says. “Or maybe you saw me on one of the Entertainment Channels? Interviewing celebrities on the red-carpet?”

Bryce’s face reddens, and he steps back.

Score One for Sebastian.

I grin, and my gaze falls on Sebastian. His eyes flare, and I beam back at him.

“There were lots of half-naked men in this gym too,” Bryce mutters.

“Excuse me?” Flora asks.

“Just saying, there’s a reason I didn’t go into professional hockey.”

“Because you might have seen a half-naked man?” Flora asks.

“Or a fully naked man.” Bryce shrugs. “Not my thing. I’m one of those real men, you know.”

“You already have the real dad bod,” Flora murmurs.

I stiffen, and my footsteps plod. Nothing about me is graceful, even as I fight to remain calm.

Bryce has insinuated those things to me before, whenever I’ve been in between girlfriends. Still, I didn’t think he would say that on camera.

“We’re not going to keep everything,” Ella says with a sigh, as if she can read my thoughts. “This is a Christmas show. All about happy families to make viewers feel cozy inside. Sebastian, go ahead and ask Luke some questions about being back here.”