Page 43 of You’re The One (Saints Hockey #2)

THIRTY-NINE

Several hard knocks on my hotel room door jolt me awake. My heart hammers from being ripped out of REM sleep, but there’s something else too. A low ache spreading behind my ribs. Excitement and hope, laced with what feels a lot like longing. The kind I usually reserve for places, not people.

But it can’t be Dom.

He’s supposed to have his date with Summer today. I’m not worried about that. What I am worried about is who’s getting the first suite date tomorrow. I can’t decide whether it would be better to go before or after Emma.

I scramble out of bed, tug on a robe, and shuffle to the door. When I open it, Summer’s standing there, holding two iced coffees. She hands me one and walks straight in, plopping down at the end of my bed.

“I’m here to help you get ready,” she announces by way of greeting.

“For what?” I glance at the clock on the nightstand. We’ve still got an hour before our meeting with Bodhi, and that doesn’t exactly call for glam. It’s not being filmed. Just a logistics check-in for the last stretch of filming.

Eleven days. Not that I’m counting.

“Bodhi said you could come on my date with me.” She smiles brightly.

“He did? And… you’re okay with that?”

She gives me a look. “Mia, I’m still here because I’m your friend and Dominic knew you’d appreciate having me around. I think we’re kind of friends now, too.” She shrugs. “But I knew I was getting sent home this week.”

“How?”

“Bodhi gave me a heads-up. And Emma said Dominic told her she’s going to be in the final two.”

“He what ?”

My thoughts scatter, spinning too fast to catch. Why would he tell Emma that? Is he more certain about her than he is about me? I guess he told me I wasn’t going home either… but still.

Can you blame him?

No. Of course I can’t. I’ve been pushing him toward her since the beginning. That was before, though.

And since?

I’ve been nothing but a pain in the ass. He probably thinks I’m still just trying . Oh, God.

And you’ve given him no reason to think otherwise.

Arguing with myself isn’t getting me anywhere, other than more convinced I’m screwing this all up.

“… So, does that sound good?” Summer’s voice cuts through.

“Wait, what?” I blink. “Sorry, can you rewind?”

She tilts her head. “To which part?”

“The plan. For today.”

“Oh.” She grins. “Two-on-one date. Then Dom’s going to send one of us home.

Spoiler: it’s me. But this way’s more fun than a rose ceremony.

Plus, I figured I could help you get more time together with him.

We’re going on a waterfall hike. Doesn’t that sound romantic? Not the hiking part. The waterfall.”

“Yeah. Sounds great.”

She studies me. “You don’t look excited.”

“I am.” I smile, but it feels flat.

“You sure?”

I nod. Not sure at all.

Summer helps me pick out the “perfect” outfit: black biker shorts and one of the few colorful things I own—a peach racerback sports bra—layered under a thin, slightly translucent white cropped tee.

I don’t have the mental capacity to care about outfit choices right now, but she seems pleased with the end result.

Somehow, she even manages to coax my hair into something resembling beach waves after a wash and an unreasonable amount of product. But I draw the line at makeup. I don’t want to deal with it melting off halfway through the hike, or that sticky feeling on my skin.

Before we leave, Bodhi gathers us to announce the suite lineups for next week. I’m not surprised when he says Emma’s first, and I’ll get my two days with Dom after that.

Still, a heavy knot settles in my stomach, and it doesn’t loosen on the drive to where we’re meeting Dom.

I know what I have to do.

But I’ve never really put myself out there for someone. It’s one thing to be liked for the easy parts. It’s another to show someone the fear, the doubt, the mess—and hope like hell they’ll take you for who you are.

“Look, I brought you a gift,” Summer shouts as Dom comes into view.

I catch the lift of his brows over her shorter height, but he plays along. “I hope it’s something good.”

“Pfft. The best.” She steps aside with a dramatic flourish, and I raise my arms like I’m Marilyn Monroe popping out of a cake.

Dom chuckles, and some of the tension melts away at the now-familiar sound.

He hugs Summer first, one of those quick, pat-on-the-back types. I try to remember if that’s how he used to hug me when we were forced to interact. But I’m pretty sure I always dodged his touch. Most people’s, really. But especially his.

Funny how things change.

“Hey.” His voice is soft as he nudges my chin up.

I didn’t realize I’d spaced out.

“You all right?” His thumb brushes along my jaw.

I don’t answer. I just wrap my arms around his waist and rest my forehead against his chest. His arms come around me immediately, anchoring me in that way only he seems to know how to do.

It’s all going to be okay.

Someone on set clears their throat, and Summer shushes them in a way that makes me appreciate her even more.

I pull back, and Dom captures my lips with his. In the kiss, I feel everything he doesn’t say.

You’re okay.

I’m here.

We’re going to get through this.

I just hope I still feel all those things after I do what is sure to be the most uncomfortable thing of my life. Talk about feelings. Ask for something I want. Face the possibility of rejection.

“All right, lovebirds,” Summer starts. “Let’s get this show on the road. I want to swim in the waterfall before I have to give the performance of a lifetime.”

“Lead the way.” Dom gestures to the path ahead, and Summer doesn’t need to be told twice.

We follow a few steps behind as she points excitedly at random things as we walk.

The hike isn’t long, and it’s quiet except for Summer’s running commentary and her occasional humming, like she’s writing a song in her head. With production closing off access, there’s no one else on the trail.

It should feel peaceful. All the shades of green, the smell of damp soil, the company of someone I didn’t know a month ago but now consider a friend. And a man I’ve known for years but never really knew at all. Still, my mind is somewhere else.

Do I have to have this conversation?

Yes, you do.

I tip my head up, the canopy of trees blocking the sky.

Dom catches my hand in his, squeezing it until I turn my gaze to meet his.

“Talk to me.”

I let out a quiet, sardonic laugh. Would he still want to talk if he knew what I had to say?

Hey, I know you came here for the full experience, and yeah, I said I didn’t want anything serious. But I’ve changed my mind. I know, I should’ve told you sooner. But now I’m asking you to choose me, to forget everything I said before and just go with this. Please?

My sneaker catches on something, and I stumble, but Dom steadies me with an arm around my waist.

I glance back at the offending root. It’s ironic, isn’t it? The thing I’ve been running from—roots—is the very thing I’m going to ask for. But only from him. I’m not even sure I could want this with anyone else.

“Mia?” His voice is gentle, laced with worry. His brows pull together. “Are you feeling okay? Should we head back? How much water have you had?”

The last question makes a smile pull at my lips. What is it with men and their obsession with water intake? If only H 2 O could really fix everything.

“Sorry. I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.” I tug his hand so we don’t fall too far behind Summer, who seems happily lost in her own happy world.

As if she can sense us dragging, she glances over her shoulder and calls, “Let’s go, slowpokes!”

I manage to make it to the waterfall without raising any further suspicion from Dom.

As soon as we arrive, Bodhi steps in with instructions, like we’re blocking a scene from a play. Which, honestly, isn’t far from reality.

“Okay, the three of you are going to go for a swim. Summer, you pull Dom aside. Mia, you look upset. Dominic, you follow Summer but keep sneaking glances at Mia. That shouldn’t be hard,” he mutters.

“Then you turn to Summer and say you need to talk. You’ll walk over here—” He strides to a perfectly framed spot with the waterfall in the background. “Then you end it. Summer, look sad. Et cetera, et cetera. Got it?”

“You said I could take creative liberties…” Summer reminds him, brows raised.

“Sure, whatever. You know the result we’re going for. Deliver that.”

“Ey, ey.” She salutes him, and he shakes his head.

Everything goes according to plan, until it’s time for the “breakup.” I have to bite my cheek to keep from laughing as I stand off to the side with Bodhi.

“Summer, I—” Dom starts.

“How dare you?!” she shrieks, the sound carrying through the dense foliage.

“Cut!” Bodhi strides over. “Summer, wait for him to at least say the line.”

She gives an apologetic nod. “Sorry. Got a little overzealous.”

“You think?” I laugh.

“I heard that,” she tosses over her shoulder before stepping back into place. “Okay, I’m ready. Lay it on me. And make it good.”

Dom tries not to smile. “I’ll do my best.”

Bodhi gives the signal. We’re rolling.

“Summer, I’ve enjoyed my time with you, but my connection is stronger with Mia?—”

“Cut!” Bodhi yells, not even bothering to walk over this time. “You’re supposed to say ‘the other women .’ Remember suspense?”

Dom scowls but gives a clipped nod. He repeats the line, this time sticking to the script.

Summer doesn’t scream this time. Instead, she collapses to the ground in a dramatic sob, her hair fanned out across the dirt path.

“How could you?” she chokes out between heaving breaths.

“Fuck,” Dom mutters, rubbing the back of his neck.

I bring my fist to my mouth to keep from cracking up. She’s definitely going out with a bang. Maybe she missed her calling as an actress, though she seems better suited for a teen drama than anything Emmy nominated.

Dom crouches beside her, giving her another one of those awkward pats on the back. He glances at me over his shoulder with a look that clearly says: Help .

“You love her, don’t you?” Summer asks, peeking up through her disheveled hair. I catch the subtle tilt of her head, cueing him.

“Yes?”

“I knew it.” Summer pops up, hands on hips, mascara smudged.

“What the fuck is going on?” Bodhi mutters beside me.

I just shrug.

“I’m sorry—” Dom starts again.

“No!” Summer cuts him off again, pointing an accusatory finger. “I knew you were only leading me on!”

Dom’s face falls like he actually believes her. It almost makes me want to rescue him.

She storms off, several cameras trailing behind her.

“We’ll be right back to get your interview,” Bodhi calls as he hurries after them.

Dom’s still standing there, jaw slack. I walk up beside him.

“Fuck,” he mumbles. “I thought we were on the same page. How did I get it so wrong?”

I lean into him. “You didn’t. That was just Summer being Summer. And look”—I gesture around us—“no cameras.”

When he sees we’re alone, he exhales. “Jesus. She’s really good at that.”

I nod, forcing a breath of my own. Because it’s now or never. At least this moment won’t be caught on camera.

“Want to take a walk? Over there?” I point to where a lower ridge overlooks the falls.

He follows, keeping a protective hand at my waist as we navigate the slick, mossy rocks. The sound of rushing water fills the silence, and my heart kicks harder with every step.

When we reach the edge, there’s no more delaying.

“So, I need to talk to you?—”

A crack of thunder gives me pause.

“Oh, Christ.” Dom tilts his head back. “Please tell me that’s not foreshadowing.”

I almost laugh, but it catches in my throat. “I hope not.”

His brows pull together, and I wipe my palms on my shorts.

“I just—” My voice wobbles. “I think I’ve messed up.”

The first drops of rain break through the canopy, cool against my cheeks. I swipe them away, but more follow.

Dom steps toward me. His hands cup my neck, pulling me close enough to feel the heat of his body, but far enough that I can still meet his eyes. His thumb traces gently along my throat.

“I’ve been trying to say this for a while—” I swallow hard. “Actually, no. I’ve been hiding it. Because I was scared.”

His eyes search mine as the rain picks up. His shirt is wet where I’m gripping it at his sides.

Spit it out, Mia.

“I want more than just trying. I want you. And the thought of you… with someone else… makes me feel physically ill. I know that might not be fair. I know I haven’t given you many reasons to wait for me.”

He swipes raindrops from my cheek and waits.

“I know I haven’t been easy… and I’m not sure I can promise I ever will be. But—” My voice breaks this time. “Please choose me. Because I’m ready to choose you.”

By the time I get the last word out, my breath comes in shallow bursts. The split second before he reacts stretches into a lifetime.

He closes the distance between us. His lips meet mine, warm and wet with rain. He kisses me slowly. Reverently.

When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine.

“Mia,” he murmurs, voice low and rough, “I already chose you. Before I even realized it was an option. I’ve just been waiting for you to catch up.”