I jump, startled. I place a hand against my fast-beating heart. “Shit, you scared me!”
He chuckles. “Sorry about that.”
I need to get my head in the game, stop focusing so much on Lex and Lynn, and focus on breaking this damn curse. “I haven’t bowled since third grade,” I say, giving Olsen my full attention. “But that won’t stop me from kicking your ass. As you already know, I’m basically an expert ball handler.” I cringe atthe inappropriate comment that leaped from my mouth before I could stop it. Thankfully, Olsen laughs.
“You’re up,” Jasleen says as she saunters over, swirling her gin and tonic. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep Olsen company for you.”
I narrow my eyes at Jasleen, then smile up at Olsen. “Actually, Olsen, do you think you could give me a few pointers?”
“Of course.” He guides me toward the lane.
One point me, zero Jasleen.
It’s impossible not to feel incredibly anxious as I select a heavy pink ball. Anything could happen. The curse is as clever as it is certain, finding new and wonderful ways to ruin my life when I least expect it. I glance over my shoulder at Lex, who gives me an encouraging thumbs-up from where she’s sitting next to Lynn. I nod at her before easing toward the alley.
“Relax your grip,” Olsen suggests, staying back on the carpet to give me space. “Widen your stance a bit. There you go.”
I follow Olsen’s instructions as I keep my eyes on the prize at the end of the lane. So far, so good. Nobody’s had an aneurism. The sky hasn’t fallen. The zombie apocalypse has yet to arrive. Maybe this won’t be so bad. Maybe I can throw one ball, just one, without the world ending. I shove my fingers into place, raise the ball up, take the two steps forward, bend down to roll and release, and—
“Mother fu—” I cry as my fingers are jerked backward before the ball slips from my grasp and falls to the floor with a bang.
The young family in the alley next to us pause their game to gape at me, a livid mother slapping her hands over her tot’s ears. Before I have a chance to examine whether my fingers are still intact, Lex is by my side.
“You okay?” she asks, reaching for my hand to inspect it.
I flex my hand a few times before giving her a short nod. “Not broken. Yet.”
“You’re doing great. Just keep going. Here, I’ll help you with your form.” Lex comes up behind me with a new ball, showing me just how to step and hold it, when Olsen interjects.
“Mind if I cut in?”
Lex and I share a quick look, as if we’d both forgotten he was here and why we were bowling in the first place.
“Of course,” she concedes, stepping back so Olsen can take her place.
His frame behind me is massive and sturdy, like the trunk of a redwood tree. His arms envelop mine as he holds my limbs in exactly the right place. “Look at the arrows, not the pins,” he murmurs in my ear, his low voice rumbling and sending shivers down my spine. “Swing back smoothly, and then follow through, like this.” With Olsen along for every step, we successfully launch the ball down the alley and knock over two pins.
“Yay!” I jump and squeal in delight, then twist toward Olsen. “High-five!”
He raises his hand and I reach to slap it, only to miss, which throws my body off balance. I slip on the waxed floor and prepare to make a hard landing, but Olsen grabs me just in time, sweeping me into a dip like we’re dancing, one strong arm wrapped around my back while his other hand grips my ass. Time pauses as we regard one another, his eyes wide in surprise, mouth gently parted. Then his gaze moves from my eyes to my lips, and I watch his throat work as he swallows. For a flickering moment I wonder if he’s going to kiss me, and something bright and bubbly lights up in my chest.
Are... are thesefeelings?
Before I can further interpret what’s going on, Olsen snaps out of it, pulling me to standing and removing his hand from my ass with an apologetic, blushing “sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I say with a dismissive wave, heat rising to my own cheeks. “Happens all the time.”Why did I say that?
As Olsen laughs, I turn to leave before anything else can happen to ruin the moment. I look over to Lex, wanting so badly to plop next to her and squeal in her ear, asking if she saw what just happened. But she’s with Lynn, all cozied up with one arm wrapped around her shoulder. I feel momentarily lost, unsure of where to go, before choosing a spot next to Jasleen. I give Lex a hidden thumbs-up and she smiles back, her expression a mix of relief and... something else. Something I can’t quite place.
All I know is that I’m more than a little excited that something awkward happened butsomehowit ended up drawing Olsen and me closer rather than pulling us apart.
The rest of our bowling date is just as bumpy, yet still somehow working out. By the time it’s over, Olsen has given me a thorough lesson on bowling to the point where I can knock over a pin or two by myself, Jasleen has befriended Amanda and Stuart and she’s talked them into trying Pilates with her, and I’ve watched Lex and Lynn go from cautiously flirtatious to openly so.
While Olsen’s finishing his last round, my eyes can’t stop themselves from darting to the opposite side of the booth where Lex and Lynn are speaking softly into each other’s ears, sharing subdued laughs and private smiles.
The gross feeling twisting around in the base of my belly returns, and I force myself to look away. I keep my gaze on Olsen, clapping for him when he knocks over almost all the pins and securing his spot as first in our game.
After our crew cleans up and returns our shoes, we exit to the parking lot.
