Page 485 of Face Off

“Well,” she says, “that’s the other part of my question.”

I stop moving. “The other part?”

“Yes.”

“There’s more?”

“A little.”

Something cold crawls up my spine.

She wants Michigan more, I know it before she says it. She wants a house in Kimball Falls near the boutique, her mother, Bliss, and Aura. I will say yes because I told her home is wherever we build it, but exhaustion already settles into my bones at the thought of driving back to Milwaukee for every practice, game, meeting, workout, and team obligation.

I want peace with her.

I will survive another impossible schedule if that is what loving her requires, but for one fucking Christmas morning, I wanted the universe to let something be easy.

Charm draws a careful breath. “My business is doing really well.”

“I know.”

“My mother gave me access to my trust when she became the executor during the divorce.”

“I know that too.”

“And you play professional hockey, so between us, we can afford—”

I pinch her lips closed between my fingers.

Her eyes widen.

“¿Mi hada elegante quiere una casa elegante?”

She pulls my hand away. “Did you just ask if your fancy fairy wants a fancy house?”

“Yes.”

“That is a ridiculous translation.”

“Answer the question.”

“Well, yes, I want a nice house.”

“A mansion.”

“I didn’t say mansion.”

“You were about to explain our combined income. That means mansion.”

“I want a large kitchen.”

“Mansion.”

“A walk-in closet.”

“For your closet? Definitely a mansion.”

“A library.”