Page 171 of Rookie Attraction

“What about him?” she asks with a glint in her eyes.

“And her sense of humor’s back,” Finn chuckles.

“Finn was telling me about your recent travel,” Mallory adds. “After weeks on the road, and a layover here, I bet you can’t wait to get out of this frigid weather and back to sunny California.”

The only sunshine I need is the man standing next to me.

I nod politely.

“Even hockey players need out of the cold sometimes. But it’s more about seeing my mom and my brother Karson. My youngest sibling, Atticus, stayed in Europe. It’s tough to align our plans throughout the year given our busy schedules.”

“I know how that is,” she replies and blinks slowly. “Christmas is one of the few times we all come back together.”

“I think you need to rest, Mom,” Finn interrupts. “Try and sleep for a while.”

“That’s all I’ve been doing for days.”

I want to laugh out loud, because that’s exactly what Finn said when he stayed at my place.

“There’s still a risk that⁠—”

She closes her eyes.

“I know, Finlay. You go on over to the couch and talk to your friend, and I’ll go back to sleep. Promise.”

Finn places the plant on the nearby windowsill and then motions for me to take a seat on the couch.

“Finlay?” I raise one eyebrow.

Will snickers. “He didn’t tell you?”

“It’s Finn,” my boyfriend insists. “Finlay is only on my birth certificate. And passport. And you’re one to talk, Celery.”

“That’s a family nickname, remember? It doesn’t count.”

“What about your middle name?”

I shake my head.

“Nope, no way.”

“You know you want to tell me, Sel. Sooner or later, I’ll charm it out of you.”

“I’ll give you one hint; it’s a Dutch name.”

He rolls his eyes.

“That narrows it down.”

I glance up to find his brother and dad staring at us.

“Sorry, we get into these ridiculous kinds of conversations all the time,” I offer.

“Why am I not surprised?” Will snarks, and Finn playfully smacks his shoulder in return.

Peter offers me a bottle of water.

“Thank you.”