"We'll see. Open them." He waves one of his huge hands at the boxes.

"Bribing me doesn't work, Beast."

"It's not what you think." The gleam in his eyes is insufferable.

"Fine." I put down the glass and grab one of the small boxes, untying the satin ribbon and lifting the snug lid. It drags against the box until it's free. Again, a smile crosses my lips. I lift my gaze to his, confused and yet impressed. "How did you get this?" It's a Polaroid of a wall with a larger framed photo, a picture of me at the Lumineers concert with Nat next to me. We're obviously singing at the top of our lungs with glossy eyes and astonished expressions. It might be the best picture ever taken of us.

"Do you like it?"

"I do," my voice cracks. "Where is it?" I lift my gaze, scanning the area for it.

"In my room. I can show you if you like." He toys with his grin.

Damn! He has a picture of me in his room?

He's really rocking this. I don't even know how it's possible he's doing this well. I've lost the upper hand I'd thought I gained.

Taking a breath and another sip, I put the picture down and grab the next box. My stomach grumbles with excitement and starvation.

The ribbon and lid come off easier on this one. When I get the lid off, I'm confused. It's a key with a violet bow as a keychain. I lift it, cocking an eyebrow. "You got me a house?"

"No. That key represents my commitment to all of this." He doesn't flinch at the word commitment, even though I do. "You and I will be spending Christmas together in London this year. That's where this started four years ago, and it's where it's going to end."

My eyes widen on "end."

"We're going to start a new chapter there. A new beginning."

"Matt-"

"That's the key to my apartment in our building there. We'll treat it the same as this thing we have going. It's just a thing until New Year's. From here on it's nothing serious. Whatever games I have before Christmas, I'll finish off, and then you and I, we'll fly that night to London. You'll stay in London since we both know your parents will be there anyway. I'll use the jet to get back for my games and then come directly back to you for New Year's Eve where we will end this game. Even if I have a game New Year's, which hopefully I don't, I will skip to be with you. Then we can both fly home to the States for whatever my next game is."  

"That's insane. You'll be exhausted."

"You're worth it." He doesn't even bat an eyelash at the flights or saying that sentence. He has really upped his game since I ended everything, only I don't think this is a game anymore. I don't know what to do so I pretend this is all in fun.

"You want to make this promise now? At the beginning of this little deal?" I sit back, not sure how to take this.

"Sami, I don't think you understand the depth of my feelings for you, which is my fault. I didn't understand either and I let you slip through my fingers. It's my goal to show you, before anything else. So that when we do officially get together, you won't ever doubt me again." He leans across the table and pushes the last box to me.

I'm no longer doubting him and am more or less doubting my own resolve to stay with this when I pick the next box. My fingers feel clammy and cold as I pull the ribbon off and lift the lid.

Inside is a ticket. It's not like any ticket I've ever seen. I lift it up, scowling. "What is this?"

"It's for a party. Will you come?"

"When?"

"I don't know. Depends on the playoffs. If we make it, the party will be in July and if we don't, it'll be in May or June."

"I have school," I add, not mentioning that I've changed my major and need to get some serious work done to graduate on time. I haven't told anyone. Not even Nat. I didn't want anyone to laugh when I said I wanted to go into business.

"I know, but it'll be worth skipping a couple days."

"Okay. What kind of party?"

"A surprise."

Everything about this evening has been a surprise. My heart is racing. My mouth is watering like I might get sick. But I sip the wine, ignoring how bitter it tastes now.

"You look worried." He says it as though he might also be worried.

"Can I be honest with you?" I'm a little light-headed.