Page 21 of You’re The One (Saints Hockey #2)

TWENTY

Summer has been acting like a shield between me and Mia all afternoon. She keeps stepping between us, shifting the conversation, making sure Mia doesn’t end up alone with me. I can’t figure out what her goal is here… Did Mia ask her to play interference?

I know our coffee date—or whatever you want to call it—wasn’t ideal, but Mia didn’t seem bothered at the escape room. And that hug, it definitely didn’t feel like she was upset with me.

Not that there’s much risk, even if I were trying to sneak off with Mia. We’re walking along a jetty, on a mission to spot sea lions.

Sea lions.

I still don’t understand how production comes up with this stuff.

It’d actually be nice if they sent me home with a binder of date ideas.

Something practical. Because I’m pretty sure my usual, “Want to grab dinner?” won’t cut it after the women have been treated to deep-sea puzzles and sea lion scouting.

Not to mention all the other weirdly specific ideas production has already thrown at us.

Does Summer know something I don’t?

Wouldn’t be hard. I feel completely lost.

The disappointment that sank into my chest when we didn’t win the challenge was concerning.

Then Mia let me hug her— actually hug her. Not the stiff, obligated version I’ve gotten used to. This felt different.

Over the last week, we’ve grown closer. I know her coffee order. I know the exact expression she makes when she’s trying not to laugh. I know she’s more comfortable snipping at me than talking about herself.

But she still keeps most of her walls up. Which is fine. I’m not expecting an overnight breakthrough.

Still, that hug felt like a crack, a split-second shift in whatever we’re doing here. But now it’s like she’s behind glass again, and I want to break through.

Or at the very least, find a way to talk to her.

Not to mention I can’t keep my fucking eyes off her. And not in the watching-to-make-sure-she-doesn’t-fall-into-the-ocean way. In the what-does-she-look-like-without-her-clothes-on way.

And I shouldn’t be. I really, really shouldn’t.

I’ve got to get this under control before we’re with Logan and Hannah next week. They’ll see straight through me. Before they see every inappropriate thought I’ve been having about his little sister.

Fuck . I’ve never kept anything from him. Over the course of our four-year friendship, he’s become a vault for all my secrets. Well, not all of them… I never told him about my mom. Mia is the only person I’ve shared the full story with. I can’t even rationalize that when I try.

I never intended for something to develop with my best friend’s little sister when I agreed to keep Mia here, but… here we are.

Emma walks up next to me, Mia and Summer a few steps ahead. I pull my gaze away from them and turn to her, forcing a smile I hope masks what’s going on inside me.

“The escape room was fun, right?”

“Yeah, I had a good time. Congrats on your win, by the way. I think I forgot to say that earlier.”

“Thanks. I’m just glad we get to spend the night together.” She pauses. “I feel bad Mia’s the odd one out, though.”

“Me too.” I clear my throat.

“You two seem like you’ve gotten closer?” There’s no jealousy in her voice, more curiosity. Maybe an attempt to connect, but it’s hard to tell. Emma keeps things close to the chest, and I haven’t quite figured out how to read her yet.

“Yeah, I think we have.” My eyes drift back to Mia. She’s laughing at something with Summer, head tipped back slightly.

I look away, focusing on the water as it laps against the rocky shore.

“Look,” Summer calls, pointing toward a cluster of sea lions stretched out on the rocks a few hundred feet away.

We all stop to watch, passing around the binoculars the crew handed out earlier.

“Ahh! Look at them!” Summer shouts. “First time seeing a sea creature!”

Mia covers her ear, probably protecting her eardrums from Summer’s shrieks. “A sea creature? Have you never seen the ocean?”

“Nope,” Summer declares, filled with childhood amusement. She’s the perfect balance to Mia’s more cynical edges. I’m glad this show has brought them together.

Once the excitement fades, the afternoon slips by. And before I’m ready, Bodhi steps in to collect Mia and gives the rest of us a rundown of the evening’s plans: another dinner where we probably won’t be allowed to eat.

He points us toward one of the vans while hanging back with Mia a few paces behind.

I catch pieces of their conversation, just enough to make me wonder what the hell he’s saying. It sounds like he’s trying to make plans with her for later. My brows pull together, and I glance over my shoulder.

They’re standing too close, talking quietly, like they don’t want anyone to hear. Or at least he is.

Has he still not given up on this? Is Mia actually into him?

Summer nudges my arm. “Something interesting back there?”

I shake my head. “Have you noticed something going on between them?”

She glances back. “Just a little harmless flirting. I think he’s got a crush. You know, since you and Mia hate each other, it shouldn’t bother you.”

“For the record, I’ve never said I even disliked Mia,” I mutter.

She smiles like she’s up to something, and when we reach the van—Emma already climbing into the back—I figure out why.

I go to offer Summer a hand, but instead she doubles over, clutching her stomach.

“Oh. I don’t feel so good.”

Mia and Bodhi linger near the other car headed for the mansion, but the sound of Summer’s shaky voice draws them over.

“Everything okay over here?”

“Yeah, I’m just not feeling well. You go ahead, Bodhi.” She gestures toward the back of the van.

“I’m supposed to bring Mia back to the mansion.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You’re not feeling well?”

Summer shakes her head, her auburn hair falling around her face as she hunches over, one hand on her knee. “I’m sorry, Dom. I need to head back. Must’ve eaten something bad.”

Bodhi’s brow furrows. “You haven’t eaten in hours. That’s not really how food poisoning works.”

“The flu then,” she blurts, straightening and fanning her face like she’s burning up. “Where’s my car?”

She walks over and loops her arm through Bodhi’s. “Mia, you take my place.”

“Wait,” Bodhi starts, clearly confused.

“No, Bodhi. I really can’t. Let’s go,” she insists, dragging him toward the other car.

“Summer, are you all right?” Mia and I ask at the same time.

We’re on opposite sides of her and Bodhi, both trying to catch Summer’s eye, but she won’t look up.

I’m genuinely concerned. Maybe it’s appendicitis. That’s one that hits out of nowhere, right?

“I’m coming with you.” Mia steps forward.

“Let’s all bring her to the hospital,” I insist.

Summer pops her head up and gives Mia a look I can only describe as murderous. “No. You go,” she snaps, her voice suddenly clear, no sign of the earlier strain. And just like that, she collapses back into Bodhi.

He sighs. “All right. Mia, go with Dom. I’ll get Summer home and call the doctor.”

They head toward the waiting town car. Right before Summer gets in, she glances back over her shoulder and winks .

What the hell?

Has Mia rubbed off on the other women? What’s going on here?

I tip my head back and laugh, then glance at Mia. “Do you know what she’s up to?”

“Not a clue,” she mutters.

“Well, looks like you’re stuck with me a bit longer, la mia fiamma .”

She sighs, but it doesn’t carry much weight. “Looks that way.”