Puck Pact: A Marriage of Convenience Hockey Romance (East Coast Series) by Kristen Granata

Author:Kristen Granata [Granata, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

19

ALEXANDER

Giuliana bolts out of the house the second she sees us pull into the driveway.

Aarya smiles in the passenger seat, and it’s the first sign of emotion from her all morning. She was quiet while we packed her boxes into my SUV, and she hasn’t said much aside from whispering words of comfort to Dash inside his travel case.

I feel awful, as if I’m forcing Aarya to live with me—despite the fact that she chose to do this, and is being compensated. Nerves eat away at my stomach.

Will this plan work?

Will my grandfather believe the façade and leave us alone?

How will Giuliana handle this when Aarya moves out?

My daughter hops on her bare feet in the driveway waiting for Aarya to step outside. She’s been so excited to meet Dash, and I can’t help but chuckle as she peers inside the carrier when Aarya holds it up in front of her.

“He’s beautiful,” Giuliana whispers.

Aarya crouches down in front of her. “He’s a little scared right now. He might need some time to get used to his new living space.”

“Then I can hold him?”

“Then you can hold him.”

Giuliana tugs on Aarya’s hand as she stands. “Come on. We have to show you the surprise.”

“Hold on, baby girl.” I pop the trunk as I round the vehicle. “Let us get settled first. Then you can do the big reveal.”

Giuliana squeals, her tiny hands balling into fists as she shakes. “Hurry!”

“Keep her out of the room, Annie,” I call as she stands waiting in the doorway.

Annie grins. “On it.”

I carry everything inside and stack Aarya’s boxes in her new room. I debated on which of the three guest rooms to give her, and ended up opting for the one farthest from Giuliana’s room. Sometimes she wakes up from a nightmare, or cries out for me if she’s scared, and I’d hate for Aarya to get woken up in the middle of the night.

Aarya’s eyes bounce around the room as she sets Dash’s case on the bed.

“I hope this is okay.” I scratch the back of my neck. “Feel free to decorate it in any way you want. Hang pictures on the wall, or change the comforter.”

“It’s fine the way it is.” Aarya looks at me for what feels like the first time today. “Don’t stress it.”

I heave a sigh and shake my head. “I⁠—”

“It’s time for the surprise!” Giuliana bursts into the room and bounces on the bed, sticking her nose against the metal door separating her from Dash. “Hi, kitty! You’re so pretty. You look so soft. I can’t wait to hold you. Ellie wants to meet you too. I hope you get along, not like Tom and Jerry.”

“Giuls.” I kneel down at the foot of the bed. “What did we talk about? You can’t barge into Aarya’s room. You have to knock first.”

Giuliana’s big eyes fly up to Aarya. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Aarya holds out her hand for Giuliana. “Let’s see that surprise you’ve been telling me about.”

My stomach clenches as I follow them into the hallway, nerves eating away at me in anticipation.

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