Page 91 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show

“I know.” He squeezes my hand. “I guess there were reasons you wouldn’t want to tell Daniela and Oskar you’re not well enough to do any travel.”

“Actually, I was more interested in the fact we might be able to sneak into each other’s hotel rooms,” I confess.

Sebastian smiles. “Really?”

I nod. “I like sleeping next to you, Sebastian. I like not sleeping next to you, too.”

“Like this?” His eyes shimmer.

“Yep, we’re not sleeping next to each now,” I say. “And it’s pretty great.”

He laughs next to me.

I like that he does this. I like that he moves from sorrow and worry to joy. He seizes the good moments where he finds them. It’s probably why he didn’t wallow in Ashcove. Maybe why my brother continued to tease him, as if any smile, any joy, was a personal affront to my brother’s hard work at keeping him down.

God, I’m so angry at Bryce. So angry at myself for not stopping him. So angry that Sebastian is not excited at returning to his hometown, small-town boy who made it super, super big, but is nervous.

“You know, we could probably spend the night in Boston,” he says.

“Ella and Mateo wouldn’t notice me come into the place you’ve rented?”

“Well, they probably would notice,” he admits.

“Come to my place,” I say. “You still haven’t videotaped me talking about Flora and Willow.”

“The great dentist versus doctor room debate.”

“Ella would be disappointed if you don’t have the video.”

“Yeah, she was surprisingly intrigued by it.”

I give a modest shrug. “I’m not terrible at thinking on the fly.”

Sebastian does something between a snort and a giggle, and okay, maybe communication isn’t my thing. My thing is chasing after pucks after all. There’s not a lot of overlap with storytelling in there.

“I’ll tell him the video failed if they ask.”

“And because you’re so noble you went to my place to record the same day.”

“I’m truly dedicated and self-sacrificing.”

“You’re amazing. Completely and utterly.” Sebastian stops and stares at me.

Warmth surges through me, and I stare back.

I shouldn’t have invited Sebastian to my place.

It’s a bad idea.

I don’t live alone.

I don’t want Troy to know. I don’t want Sebastian to worry about whether or not he can trust my tall, intimidating, joking goalie roommate.

“I’ll sneak you in,” I say.

“I’ll say you were a Grindr hookup gone good if anyone asks tomorrow.”

“You were pleasantly surprised by how great I am in 3D,” I say, and he laughs.