Page 32 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan

“Oh, definitely the Renaissance period. I think it’s because when I was growing up, I was really into history and, in particular, the Renaissance. So when I got into art, it just made sense to be interested in that era. In fact—there I go again.” He laughs. “Sorry, I don’t mean to bore you.”

“You’re not boring me at all. I think it’s really cool to meet a guy who’s interested in something other than sports or movies or Superman versus Batman.”

“Yeah, I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love Marvel and DC. But ask me to go with you to a museum, and that’s when I’m in my element.”

“I guess that’s the thing about you Scottish men.”

“Oh, don’t get it twisted,” he says, laughing. “I know plenty of guys back home who’d rather just go to the pub and have a pint than go to a museum.”

“True. I guess it really just depends on who you are.”

“So instead of me boring you, please tell me more about yourself, Erica. We didn’t chat for long, and I don’t feel like I know you. You just graduated, right?”

“Yeah, I did. From Columbia.”

“You must have a lot of student debt, huh? I know the tuition there is quite high.”

“Actually, I don’t. I’m kind of lucky,” I smiled. “My parents paid.”

“Oh, you’re a trust fund kid.”

“I wouldn’t say trust fund kid,” I lie. “My parents were just financially able to pay.” I wrinkle my nose. “Sorry. I just don’t want you to think I’m some sort of snob or super privileged.”

As I say the words, I realize I’m not telling the truth, because the more I think about it, the more privileged I realize I am. I bite down on my lip.

“But life is life. So, have you made a lot of friends here?” I ask, wanting to change the subject.

“I have. In fact, for some reason, I’ve got mainly female friends. I guess the accent. And I’m a bit of a nerd.” He shrugs. “I generally like to hang out with women for the aforementioned reasons.”

“Oh, sure. That makes sense.”

“What about you? Do you have a lot of friends?”

“Yeah. My best friend, Sabrina, and I went to college together. She’s actually dating my older brother now. And then my good friend Suki’s still in town. I was speaking to her on the phone as I was coming here. And I have some other friends around.”

“Cool,” he says, leaning back. “I do have to tell you something, though.” He takes a long gulp of his Guinness.

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Well, one of my friends, Louise… well, she’s just amazing.”

I try not to blink as I freeze. This is not where I expected the conversation to go. Why is he telling me that his friend is amazing?

“She’s got that pretty girl-next-door look,” he says, “and she’s brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I think she got straight A’s without ever having to study. She never wears makeup. She’s just great with animals and volunteers at an animal shelter. She goes to feed the homeless every week.”

“Wow, she sounds like a saint,” I say, trying not to sound jealous. I don’t really care that he is talking about this woman, but it feels a little odd that he is talking about her while on a date with me.

“Sorry, I talk about her far too much. I’ve been told that before,” he says, shaking his head. “You do not want to hear about my best friend while we’re getting to know each other.”

“No, I’m more than happy to hear about anyone you want to talk about. And she sounds great. Where is she right now?” I ask, because I don’t really know what else to say.

“She's at a restaurant, waitressing.” He makes a face. "She has a son, and the dad's not in their life, and she struggles to pay rent. It's hard out here, right?"

"Yeah, it's hard out here," I say, stumbling over my words because it hasn't been hard for me. And the more I interact with other people, the more I realize how sheltered I've been and the more uncomfortable it makes me feel. Sabrina, my best friend, never had the same amount of money as I did growing up, but it hasn't been something that I think about too much. But now that I’ve graduated and out of my bubble, I am starting to realize that the real world looks very different for people. And if my greatestworry and concern is meeting the love of my life, am I a spoiled princess?

"Sorry," he says. "I shouldn't have kept going on about her. I just worry, you know?"

"It's okay." I'm not really sure what to say. "Is she your best friend, or do you have feelings for her?"