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“That was really kind of you, Mac.”
I slowly turned around at the sound of Juliette’s soft voice. “Is it going to snow? Because that sounded an awful lot like a compliment.”
She rolled her eyes and snorted as she bit back a grin. “Would you rather I be mean to you instead?”
Shaking my head, I smiled at her. “As much as I like your fiery attitude, I like you soft for me even more.”
“I should be home around six, but I’ll need to get a shower and get ready, though.”
I nodded and we began to walk toward the coaches’ locker room. “You take all the time you need. Do you want to plan on around seven or do you need more time than that?”
“That should be enough time,” she agreed, pausing outside the door with me. “I’ll see you at seven then.”
“Until tonight,” I said with a smile before slipping into the locker room to get out of my skates and back into my sneakers. Juliette wasn’t in her office when I went up to get Thor, so I left her a note instead.
Wear something comfortable tonight, baby. I’m taking you to get dinner but I have other plans for us.
The rest of the day will drag waiting for you, but you’re well worth the wait.
-Mac
I waited until it was seven o’clock on the dot before stepping out of my condo and walking across the hall to Juliette’s door. I was wearing a pair of dark charcoal gray pants, along with a white Henley. The sleeves were pushed up to my elbows and I lifted my fist to knock on her door. Thor was less than amused when I left him behind tonight. I think he was a little spoiled having Juliette with him all the time.
Time stretched and I shifted my weight on my feet as I tucked my hands into the front pockets of my pants. After about a minute, I heard the lock on the other side of the door click before Juliette pulled the door open. She was wearing a pair of leggings with an oversized baby blue sweater. It hung down to the center of her thighs. A pair of black boots were on her feet and her hair was pulled back, half up, lying in loose waves down to the center of her back. Her facial features were highlighted by the smallest amount of makeup.
Goddamn, she was fucking beautiful.
“Is this okay?” she asked me as she glanced down at her feet and back to my eyes. “I can go change if I need to.”
I shook my head. “You’re perfect, Juliette.” I paused, unable to fight the grin that slid across my lips as I allowed my eyes to search her face. “I have one request for part of our date. I need you to grab your stick, skates, and gloves.”
She tilted her head to the side. “What do I need those for?”
“You’ll see.”
Her eyebrows pulled together and she straightened her spine. “Are we going somewhere to play hockey?”
I shrugged with indifference, not wanting to give anything away. “Maybe. Maybe not. I guess you’re just going to have to wait and see.”
Juliette sighed with a look of irritation, although there was a playfulness in her expression. “You’re kind of annoying.”
“You like me anyways.”
"That's debatable," she retorted, while rolling her eyes. She pushed past me and I inhaled the smell of her perfume as she pulled her door shut behind her. "My stuff is in the car."
A smile touched my lips but I didn't argue with her or attempt to engage in a debate. She could act like that all she wanted—she wasn't fooling anyone. She and I both knew the truth, but if she didn't want to acknowledge it, I would play along.
I followed after her and we stepped into the elevator together before heading down to the main lobby. We walked out into the parking lot and stopped by her car so she could get her stuff before putting them in my car. Juliette slid into the passenger's side as I closed the trunk and walked around to my side. As I climbed inside, I paused and watched her for a moment as she settled in the seat.
She looked like she was exactly where she belonged.
And I never wanted to see her anywhere but with me.
Juliette looked surprised when I pulled up outside of the French restaurant that was near the rink. She didn't rush out of the car and gave me the chance to open the door for her. I held my hand out to her and she slowly slid her palm against mine as her eyes searched my expression.
"You said what I was wearing was fine," she told me in an accusatory tone. "This place is far too nice for what I'm wearing."
I stifled a laugh and pulled her out of the car, shutting the door behind her. My fingers laced with hers, feeling the warmth of her skin under my touch. She didn't pull away from me. "You look perfect, Juliette. Trust me, it's a nice restaurant, but they don't have a dress code."
