The Chance ✔️

Bonus Chapter

Love Galore - SZA
𓆩♡𓆪
Evie

*6 years later—November*

"Okay, wait. Put those ornaments over there and then I can finish the rest." I order Rosalie around my messy apartment as I scurry to finalize my Christmas decorations.

I know it's only November, but if you're walking into my own home, you're going to see a beautiful Christmas tree before you see any sign of a turkey anywhere.

It's my first time decorating in this penthouse that Alex insisted we buy after he signed a huge contract extension with the Bruins last year. That and because the water main broke in the last apartment building we were in, and the elevators were a bit dodgy, and the landlord was a bit of a dick.

And a lot of other things actually.

I just thought we'd move to a nicer place, not something this extravagant. This place has more space than we need, but we make it work.

The open area where our kitchen and island are faces directly into our living room, which is accented by floor to ceiling windows and a ginormous flat screen. It seems a bit extra but it's great for entertaining when we have guests over.

There's a spare room down the hallway from our bedroom that we use as a small office space, or guest room if we need it. And with Rosalie in town for the week, I made sure to change the sheets on the bed.

When we first toured the place I thought it was too dull, too black and white. But I've been able to pop a little color into our space as we settled in. Some plants in the corners, throw pillows on the couch, picture frames on the walls, blinds to instill dome privacy, and blankets.

Lots and lots of blankets.

It gets cold here in Boston. You think I'd be used to the weather all my life since I grew up in Aspen, but I'm a freezing mess from October to April.

Blankets are a must to keep me toasty.

I hang ornaments around the tree as Alex's game runs on the TV in the background. It's the second game of his five away game stretch. But for me, it's day four living in this ginormous apartment alone.

I'm extremely glad I have Rosalie to keep me company. Otherwise I think I'd go insane.

"Maybe it's time you guys get a dog or something." Rosalie mentions, grabbing the last two ornaments out of her box. "I remember Jackson's dog from when they were kids, we all loved Max."

"We've talked about it, but we can't agree on a breed." I tell her. "I told him we should get a golden retriever, but he wants a husky. I said that would be too much shedding, but all dogs are too much shedding."

"What about a cat?" she asks.

"Cats are too quiet. I feel like I would still be all alone in this place. I need a bit of noise." I explain.

"Maybe a parrot would do you some good." I laugh at Rosalie's comment.

"I think Alex would kill me." I joke before hanging the finishing touches and taking a step back to see my work.

"He loves you way too much to even think about that." Rosalie's arm swings over my shoulder. "I think it looks great."

I nod at her even though my attention is focused atop the tree, where there is no visible star in sight. But that's Alex's job, I'm sure if we tried we'd check off every hazard box.

"Me too. And I'm only agreeing with you because we've been decorating this place for hours now." I rest my head on her shoulder as the television switches back to the game from the commercial.