12 Days of Forever(19)

“I know she likes football, but what else?”

“Well, sometimes she dresses like her sister, but only when Katelyn makes her for photos. She likes music, and plays Harrison’s drums all the time. She likes to hang out with Noah and Liam on weekends because they watch a lot of football. When you think about it, she’s a very well-rounded little girl.”

Yvie sighs as she starts look through racks of clothes. “I don’t think she likes me.”

I lean onto the rack to catch her attention. “She doesn’t know you. From what Harrison has said, she’s afraid that if she loves someone they’ll leave her. It took her a while to cozy up to Harrison and now she doesn’t let him out of her sight unless she’s with Liam; and if Quinn and Noah are around, you can forget existing. They create a bubble for her that even Elle isn’t a part of.”

“Interesting,” she states as she walks out of this section. I try not to smile when she waits for me, holding out her hand. She’s never going to know this, but this gesture alone makes me feel like I’m on top of world.

We spend an hour in this store until Yvie is satisfied with what’s she’s picked for Peyton: a set of pajamas and a necklace with a football charm. Yvie says she’s catering to both the girl and tomboy sides.

As soon as we’re in the parking lot, I walk Yvie to my car and put her bags in there quickly before she can balk. I take her hand again and pull her back toward the mall.

“Where are we going?”

“I have a surprise.”

If I’m not mistaken, there might be a slight smile creeping over her face. I’m trying to keep my eyes facing forward, but I’m definitely sneaking glances at her.

I open the door to the ice skating rink and hear a slight gasp from her. She turns, and places her arms around my waist.

“How’d you know I love ice skating?”

“I didn’t, but am surely thanking my quick thinking for bringing you here.”

After paying the rental fee, we both hurry to get our skates on. Holding her hand, we step out onto the ice and start gliding. Yvie lets go of my hand and skates away. She turns to face me, skating backwards like a pro.

“Wow, and here I thought I’d get to hold your hand the entire time,” I say as she circles me.

“I try to do this once a week. Oliver doesn’t like it, but I don’t care.”

“Your ex?” I ask, quickly regretting my question. Harrison told his name in confidence and my big mouth likely just ruined everything.

Yvie slows down in front of me, setting her hands on my chest to stop me. “He’s my producer, and yes, he’s also my ex. I broke up with him because I’m not sure about my life right now. He wants one thing, and I’m not sure I want that with him. I also want to make it on my own. I don’t want to get a lead because of who my boyfriend is, ya know?”

No, not really. “Yeah, I get it.”

“You weren’t a rebound or anything like that. I don’t even want to say you were a one-night stand because that’s not why I went to the gym.”

“Why did you go?” I ask only because I need to know even if this is the last place I wanted to have this conversation.

“I felt something the first day we met, and I know it’s stupid, but I just had to know. I just went about it the wrong way.”

I nod, and set my hands on her hips. “And do you?”

Before she can answer, a young punk skates by us, clipping me on the shoulder. My feet start to slip out, and all I can see is the roof as I start to fall. Yvie comes with me because in my moment of gracefulness, I forget to let her go.

We land with a thump, and the cold instantly chills me. Yvie laughs, and I quickly follow suit.

“Sorry, I should’ve let you go.”

“I’m not,” she replies, as she brushes her lips against mine. I don’t let her pull away as I set my hand on the back of her head and hold her to my mouth. We shouldn’t be doing this, but I don’t want to stop. When her tongue tangles with mine, and her fingers push into my hair, I’m done for. She’s worth getting to know, even if it means it’s over in a week.





Baby giggles are the best. This I’ve just learned after listening to Eden laugh. All the kids are so well behaved with her, making her laugh and feel like she’s a big girl, even though she’s just over a year old. She chases them from the living room and into the dining room and the back again, and she’s laughing the entire time. Each time they come back into the living room, Eden falls into Jimmy’s arms. He holds her for a moment before he encourages her to get them. Then it starts all over again.