Page 29 of You’re The One (Saints Hockey #2)

TWENTY-EIGHT

“What happened? Lost your nerve?” Summer taunts.

“We seriously didn’t have one moment alone. I swear he purposefully had someone chaperoning us the whole time. It was like we were in an episode of Bridgerton , trying to preserve my reputation,” Victoria huffs.

“You like Bridgerton ?” I ask.

“That’s what enticed you to tune back in?” Victoria shakes her head.

I’ve been listening the entire time. I just didn’t feel like hearing about yet another “perfect” date.

About how much Dom’s father loved her. How she’s concerned about where his mom is and why they don’t have a relationship.

How she can already see themselves going on double dates with my brother and my one-day sister-in-law.

The past three days have been a lesson in patience. There’s only so much swooning one can handle before wanting to beat their head against a wall. And I’m dangerously close to that limit.

The mention of Bridgerton reminds me of the fight Dom and I had all those weeks ago, and just how much has changed since then.

Yeah, the kiss and our chemistry are part of it, but it’s more than that. I’ve started to like him as a person. Which is the part I really need to temper. Because his personality was supposed to be the flaw, remember? God, I was so wrong.

I shrug. “It’s my comfort show,” I finally mutter, but they’ve already moved on to a different topic.

“Do you think you’ll be getting a rose this week?” Emma asks Victoria.

Emma bounced back from our disastrous double dinner way faster than I did, reminding us this is what we signed up for and that Dom deserves to explore every connection so he can be sure of his final choice. And she makes a good point, one I’m trying to believe is true. Emphasis on trying.

Lately, I’ve caught myself studying the other girls a little more closely.

Wondering what he sees in each of them. I mean, it’s not hard to see.

They’re all driven, self-assured, the kind of women who’d make stable, solid partners.

The kind of women willing to risk their hearts for a chance at love.

I’m not there yet. Falling for someone who won’t fall back? Not my idea of a good time.

But I’m giving it a chance .

“I better,” Victoria scoffs. “We’re going to Hawaii next week… How romantic would it be to have our first kiss on a waterfall hike? Or in the crystal-clear ocean?”

Emma flops back on the couch like the idea has made her faint.

“I guess the first one-on-one date will claim the kiss,” Victoria adds with a wink.

“I mean, when we’re down to three, the curse can’t possibly continue, right?” Emma reasons.

“Y’all are nuts,” Summer quips. “I’m not risking the curse and getting sent home. I plan to fully enjoy the trip, not get booted on day one. Right, Mia?”

I love Summer. She is not subtle, but damn, everyone needs a friend who would go to war for your happiness.

“Right.”

The other girls are already sucked back into conversation, this time about who’s most likely to win Naked and Afraid , if we were competing for survival instead of Dominic’s heart.

I glance at Summer and mouth, Thank you .

She gives me two enthusiastic thumbs-up, then tugs me out of my spot in the armchair. “C’mon, let’s pick out something to wear tonight.”

It’s finally my turn on a date. Finally, time to meet Dom’s dad and reunite with Ryan and Hannah. I can’t wait to see them.

But more than anything, I’m looking forward to seeing the man I wouldn’t have been caught dead spending time with voluntarily not long ago. It’s been days, and I already miss his stupidly handsome face.

Summer hovers like one of the forest animals who gets Snow White ready as I slip on a pair of heels.

She gave my hair beach-tousled waves, did my makeup, and picked out the white cotton dress I’m wearing.

It has a corseted bodice, but the skirt flows into a soft A-line.

Summer called it a milkmaid dress, and honestly, she’s not wrong.

It pushes up my modest breasts and makes them look fantastic—if I do say so myself.

I fought her on it. It felt like a bit much for dinner at his house. Not to mention, it’s white. But Summer insisted it was perfect against my dark hair. So, eventually, I gave in.

There’s a knock at the door. I check the clock, but I still have fifteen minutes before I’m supposed to meet Dom in the lobby.

Summer pulls the door open, and Dominic stands there.

Hands tucked into the pockets of tailored black dress pants. A baby-blue shirt that’s almost obscene in the way it hugs his body, a few of the top buttons undone to show his chest.

He looks fine as hell, if I’m being honest.

Suddenly, I feel a little less self-conscious about being overdressed. And a whole lot more nervous. For the first time, it feels like we’re going on an actual date.

“Oh… hi,” is all I manage to say.

Summer laughs, hiding behind the door she’s still holding open.

Dom’s gaze travels the length of me before our eyes connect. “You look… Wow.”

Now I’m the one laughing. “I’ll take it.”

“And I’ll take you.” His lopsided grin makes an appearance as he holds out a hand, inviting me to place mine in his. So, I do.

I’m halfway down the hall, not even sure how we got here, when Summer calls out, her footsteps and soft giggle echoing through the empty hotel corridor.

“Here. You forgot your bag. You kids have fun!” she yells as she heads back to the multi-bedroom suite we’re all sharing.

But not tonight. Not for me. A few hours ago, I got confirmation from Bodhi that I’m allowed to stay at my brother’s place. I’m looking forward to some actual space—something that’s been impossible to come by here.

The elevator doors shut, and finally, we’re alone. Well, as alone as we ever are on this show… with cameras hovering at the edge of our vision. I’d still prefer they weren’t there at all, but more often than not, they fade into the background.

Dom’s eyes scan me again, sending goosebumps skittering across my chest and arms. There’s a question in them. One that says, I want to kiss you, but I don’t know how you’d feel about that .

Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

We’re still traveling down when he settles for a tight hug, holding me for the first time since the airport on Monday. It’s a greeting, an apology, and an offer of comfort, all in one. I accept every bit of it greedily.

“I missed you.” His words slip out, soft and unplanned.

I inhale a shaky breath against his chest. He smells of crisp linen and leather. On the exhale, I admit, “Me, too.”

He squeezes me tighter, his face resting against the top of my head.

All I’ve thought about these past few days, while he’s been introducing the other girls to his dad, is how much I wish things were different. Different how, I’m not sure. What started as a plot to score a free vacation has spiraled into something I never expected. Or thought I wanted.

Most of me still wants to run. But there’s a smaller part, quiet but persistent, trying to talk me into running toward him instead. Whispering that maybe he’s safe. That maybe there’s a… possibility.

The elevator dings, and we finally pull apart.

It feels too soon. But maybe it always will, with him.

“Dad, this is Mia.”

Please like me.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Fox.” I step forward and offer my hand with what I hope is an easy smile.

My insides are rioting, caring more than I ever have about someone’s approval. He looks familiar. Maybe I’ve seen him at a party or two over the years, though I’m pretty sure we’ve never spoken. We definitely haven’t been formally introduced.

“Oh, come here.” Dom’s dad waves off the handshake and pulls me into a bear hug. “And call me Charlie.”

I let out a soft laugh when he releases me. “I’ve heard so much about you. Honestly, I’m shocked this is the first time we’ve met with these two attached at the hip.” I tip my head toward my brother and Dom.

“I know. I’m glad Dominic has such a strong support system here.” Charlie gives Dom a squeeze on the shoulder.

“Me too.”

When I glance up at Dom, he’s wearing an… affectionate look? I think that’s what it is.

And it’s not the first time I’ve caught it.

On the way back from the winery, when he smoothed my hair and took care of me like I wasn’t the most difficult person on the planet.

When he tucked me into bed that night.

Or all the looks he gave me during our morning walks, when I blamed the softness in his eyes on sleep.

Maybe I’m imagining it. After that kiss, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what I just want to see.

One thing I know for sure, no one in my past has ever looked at me like that. With other guys, things stayed surface-level. Attraction. Compatibility. A mutual understanding that it wouldn’t last.

That’s still all this is, too , I remind myself.

I must be staring too long or too obviously, because Ryan clears his throat and shoots me a look that practically screams, What the fuck?

Luckily, Bodhi—always the interrupter—comes around the corner, announcing that we should take our seats and that the chef is ready to bring out the first course.

“Does that mean we actually get to eat?” Dom quips.

“They don’t let you eat dinner on this show?” Charlie sounds genuinely concerned for his son’s well-being.

Ryan and Hannah chuckle, already knowing the deal as avid watchers. Either that, or it was the first thing Dom complained about when he saw them. Both are equally probable.

“Dude, I’ve let you eat all week. Don’t be dramatic,” Bodhi says.

“Just this week? What about the other four?” Charlie’s worry only grows.

Bodhi shakes his head but smiles. “Chop, chop. Let’s get you seated and fed.”

A silence falls over the table as we all settle in. The kind that happens when you get a group together and no one’s quite sure how they fit.