Page 4 of Put a Rink on It

As much as gel nails are more expensive than a regular manicure, I don’t have to wait for them to dry, so there’s little chance I’ll mess them up on the drive home. Or even tomorrow morning. They should stay great for the holidays.

It doesn’t hurt that Ma is treating.

The four of us are the only ones in the place—probably because everyone else had the smart idea to come earlier in the day. I’m not complaining because it gives us the chance to catch up without worrying about being disruptive.

“All set. Paid for,” the Asian woman tells Ma when she tries to pay, gently pushing away her card.

“By who?” Ma wonders.

The woman peers at the computer screen. “Nee-ro.”

My cheeks flame red. It doesn’t matter I’m surrounded by my family and he’s several states away, the man constantly surprises me.

“I see,” Ma says, peering over her glasses at me. “How nice of him. Let me leave a tip.”

The woman smiles as if he were in the room. “Taken care of. Very generous, too.”

Of course it is. The man doesn’t know how not to go big.

“You have nice night. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” we chorus before exiting to Main Street.

“Marina, now I know why you went fancy.” Juliet waggles her brows at me.

“I didn’t know.”

“How did he even know where you were?” Tate wonders, a dreamy look in her eyes, hiding a secret I’m not privy to.

“I mentioned where I was heading when I talked to him on the way over.”

There’s only one nail salon in Havenwood, and he knows it well. He’s gifted me gift cards for many birthdays and holidays because I paint my own nails and toes and never splurge on salon manicures and pedicures.

“How is he still single? Better yet, why haven’t you tapped that? Or more?”

“Who says I haven’t?”

Shit. I definitely didn’t mean to let that out of the bag. It’s been so many years, and I’m securely rooted in his friend zone, I often forget I’ve been with him like that.

Besides, I’m not sure I’m cut out to be with a hockey player. No offense to Tate or any of her friends who date my brother’s old teammates, but they’re weird. With strange quirks and superstitions.

“So that’s a yes?” Juliet guesses.

“I wish,” I lie, not wanting to get into my sexual past with Nero.

“That’s a bummer.” Juliet shakes her head. “Well, night all. Gotta meet Hunter for dinner.” She takes off for the lot, probably late to meet him, though not completely her fault this time.

“I’ve got to see what havoc the girls raised while I was gone,” Tate states.

Ma tsks. “As if Aubrey knows what havoc means. Though I suppose Lennon isn’t always the best influence.”

“Long as she doesn’t mess with Aubrey’s bedtime routine, I’ll take a little chaos every now and then. She’s bringing Aubrey out of her shell in a way I didn’t think was possible.”

“Their personalities complement each other well,” I say.

While my niece Lennon’s always been wise beyond her years, her caring heart is always in the right place. I’m sure she and Aubrey, Tate’s daughter, don’t always get along, and Lennon can be convincing about certain things, but their bond is strong.

“We’re fortunate.” Tate hugs Ma before wrapping her arms around me. “Get home safe.”