Page 141 of Secrets on Ice

“Merry Christmas, Em.”

“Merry Christmas, Connor.”

Christmas lunch is chaos in the best way. We all descend on The Rose by midday, and the private dining room has been transformed into a vintage Christmas spectacular, with garlands and candles and a tree in the corner taller than Emmett. It isn’t just our families around the long table, everyone is here, Harper’s family, her brother Sam, Kimberly, Camryn, and Nate. Of course, little Bastien is being held by Felix, and his mother is there, too. She’s come down from Quebec. There’s Issy, her two sisters, and Pierre, who hovers around her thanks to her ever-expanding bump. Fish, his mom, sister, and nephew. Unfortunately, his brother-in-law has been deployed again. And I can’t forget the boys, Bouch, Evan, and Nelly, who brought his family from Sweden.

And here I thought my Christmases would be lonely with just Mom and me. I look around the room and see so much love and happiness. Mom and Cassidy’s mom are already two mimosas deep and cackling about something. Our dads are arguing amiably about the game on the muted TV. Emmett has Jo tucked under his arm and a light-up Santa hat sits crooked on his head. Sully catches my eye across the table. He’s wearing a pair of felt reindeer antlers that Cassidy jammed on his head to get into the spirit. Those blue eyes do things to my body, as does that mouth. I have to look away before someone catches me staring.

The food comes out in waves, more than any of us could ever eat, and there’s a moment when the whole room quiets just enough for Harper to stand at the head of the table, her glass raised, and Bastien on her hip.

“I’m not going to make a speech,” she says, which gets a laugh, because she always makes a speech. “Okay, a small one. Look at this room.” She sweeps her glass across the table, at her parents, at Sam, at the boys, at the whole ridiculous crowd of us. “I grew up lucky, I know I did. But this? Everyone I love crammed into one room being loud and impossible together? This is the best thing we’ve ever built. So, thank you, all of you. For being here … Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas,” we all echo.

And I couldn’t be happier to be here, amongst all this loud craziness of the Mavericks.

39

EMBER

New Year's Eve in Vegas was Collette's idea. The boys had an away game here over New Year’s Eve, and she suggested we all fly out and ring in the new year together. And once the suggestion reached the girls’ chat, the decision was made, and here we are.

Harper and Issy sorted the penthouse, which is not so much a hotel room as it is a small country. Two full floors of glass and marble and impossible views of the Strip stretching out in every direction. The living area alone could host a small wedding. There’s a sunken lounge with round chaises, a glass dining table that seats twelve, a wet bar stocked like a nightclub, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the entire city. Crystal-encrusted wall textures catch the light, and there’s a grand piano nobody can play sitting in the corner for decoration. Upstairs, there are multiple bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, bigger than my first apartment. The master has a bathtub you could hold a board meeting in, and a private terrace with a fire pit, outdoor daybeds that look straight down the Strip, and a plunge pool.

Harper waved a hand at all of it like it was nothing and said, “Welcome to Vegas, ladies.”

I’ve never stayed in Vegas like this.

Jo and Collette are not enjoying this luxury as they are staying over at the boys’ hotel, because for them this is a work trip, not a party.

So, it’s just us girls in the penthouse, Harper with Bastien, Issy, Violetta, Evelina, Cassidy, and me. We are so lucky that Harper used her private plane to get us here quickly. We’ve been drinking on the plane, and now we’re at the hotel with a full staff to cater to our whims.

Set on the glass dining room table is a canapé buffet featuring tiny tuna tartare cones, crispy chicken and waffle skewers with a maple drizzle, mini beef sliders, roasted vegetable tartlets, mini baked potatoes with sour cream and chives, and little spoons of truffle mac and cheese. There’s a cheeseboard the size of a small country, fresh oysters and caviar on ice, a fruit platter, and a whole tier of desserts that look too pretty to eat. Then there are silver buckets full of champagne ready for us as well as a selection of fresh juices and mocktails plus the full stocked bar.

“And this is all included?” Cassidy whispers to me, looking at the bar.

“I think so, otherwise, that’s one hell of a mini bar tab.” We giggle.

I’m getting used to this life, it’s not too bad.

“I want to raise a glass,” Harper says, sitting at the head of the table. “Congratulations on your divorces, ladies, and the newest chapter of your lives. I know this isn't where you thought your lives were going, but ...” she smirks, “I think it suits you both. I hope the next year brings you both everything you have ever dreamed of and lots of dick.”

The girls all cheer, and I feel the love in the room.

“So, what’s the drill?” Evelina asks.

“Collette has rink side tickets for the game tonight, which is always fun. Vegas games are always wild, and it's New Year's Eve, so it'll be chaos. Then, she's organized a VIP booth for us in a club after so we can see the new year in properly,” Issy explains.

“And then tomorrow we are going shopping.” Harper squeals. “And it’s my shout, ladies. You’re New Yorkers now, and I love you both, but you do still look like you girls have been dropped into the city from the Midwest.”

“Harper!” Issy exclaims.

“Hey, I’m being truthful with them. You know how cutthroat the city is, and they want to decorate the interiors of New York’s elite. They will chew them up and spit them out if they think they can,” Harper states. “You know we are the nice ones in town,” she tells Issy.

“She’s not wrong, Issy,” Violetta adds. “You know these women and how catty they can be. We are just helping them survive.”

Cassidy and I look at each other with concern on our faces.

“The girls are talented, they will shine through,” Evelina adds.