"Sorry," he said, wiping what I suspected was a tear from his eye. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Well, you asked."
"Did it make you think of Mr. Darcy?"
My jaw dropped as I met his gaze. There was a definite twinkle in those sky blues.
"Or maybe the Duke of Falconbridge?"
"You—oh my God, you knew exactly what you were doing," I accused.
"I did," he admitted. "It was worth it to watch your face."
"Jerk." Jamming my shoulder into his side, he pretended like it hurt when I absolutely knew it didn't. "Oh please, you're fine."
"I don't know," Tolliver said, still rubbing his ribs. "With hits like that, you might need to give up violin. Start playing hockey instead."
I laughed quietly, went to knock into him again, but he caught me around the waist and turned me to face him.
"Hi," he said softly.
"Hi," I replied. "Did you want something?"
"To dance with my girlfriend. She's been playing most of the reception, so I've barely had a chance to talk to her."
In my stomach, butterflies took flight, but I pretended to look around. "Do you see her anywhere? Because I think she may still be mad at you for the stunt you just pulled."
"No, you're not," he said.
No, I wasn't.
"But if you are, maybe now's the time to give you your presents."
My ears perked up at that. "Presents?" I repeated.
Tolliver grinned and pulled something out of his pocket. He handed me the folded piece of paper with a shy grin. As I opened the page, taking note of the dates and locations, every one of which was either at our local rink or what I assumed was a rival school's, I knew exactly what it was.
"This is your hockey schedule," I said to which he nodded. "You printed it out for me?"
"I want you at my games," he said then ran a hand through his hair. "That is if you want to be there."
"I do, Stone. You know, I do."
"Cool."
"I'll make it to as many as I can," I promised.
The joy in his expression made me want to swoon. Refolding and tucking the schedule into the front of my dress, I lookedup to find Tolliver watching me. His eyes were still glued to my cleavage, so I tipped his chin up to look into my eyes.
"You said presents. As in more than one?"
"Ah, yeah," he said, shaking himself out of it. "Here you go."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out?—
"A bear," I said, smiling. "And she has a little bow and violin!"
"Mmm, she's also wearing a flower crown—which I know isn't always what you wear. But?—"
