Page 39 of Center Ice

“Really? That’s very specific.”

“I’ve never met a lasagna I didn’t like.” She shrugged. “What about you?”

“I’d never turn down a decent Philly cheesesteak.” Even thinking about it now made me crave one.

“Oh, I love those.” She closed her eyes. “Favorite genre of movie?”

“Comedies, you?”

“Same.” She smiled. “If you could be any animal, what would you want to be?”

“Eagle.” This one was too easy. “I’ve always wanted to be able to fly.”

“That’s a good one. I’d want to be a bear, only because hibernation sounds amazing.” She sighed wistfully. “Sleeping for eight months? Yes, please.”

“You’d probably still wake up tired.”

She chuckled. “You’re right.”

I was really enjoying this. There was no pressure to say the right thing or impress her. It was as easy as sitting back and talking about silly things. Neither of us had to think about what came next or what we had to do tomorrow. We could just bask in the moment.

The waiter took away our empty plate, and I looked around, realizing we were the only people left.

“They probably hate us,” I whispered and stood.

“Nah, they’ll give me a hard time later, but they won’t hate us.” She fell into step next to me, and we headed back to her room.

My devious mind started thinking ahead. When we got to her door, should I try to kiss her? It felt like things could lead to that. Tonight had been great, and it was the natural next step, but did she want to? How did I know? Why did I suddenly feel like a fifteen-year-old again? When was the last time a kiss was this big of a deal?

I was spiraling.

“I had a lot of fun. Thanks for making me come out.” She leaned against the door frame and smiled up at me.

“I had fun, too.” I stared at her, willing a sign to appear to tell me what to do.

She leaned forward and rose up on her toes. Her lips pressed against my cheek before I registered what was happening.

“Goodnight, Jake.” She opened the door and stepped in.

“Goodnight.” It was too late, but my brain was just catching up. She made the decision for me. That was my sign.

I turned and headed to the building where my room was, my lips curving up in a smile that felt like it would last forever.

* * *

Lance, Mikey, and I left the breakfast buffet too full on pancakes and fruit and headed to the beach. Since the wedding wasn’t until the evening, we had all day to relax and enjoy.

I wanted to find Dani and see if she needed help, but I didn’t want to be a distraction. This was a big day for her too. I knew she would have everything under control anyway.

“Hey, isn’t that the wedding planning girl?” Lance asked and pointed to a woman sitting on a lone bench with her hands on her face.

“That’s the intern, Maggie.” My stomach dropped when I noticed her shoulders bobbing up and down. She was crying.

“I’ll meet you guys there.” I walked toward her before they could protest. I stopped a few feet away, not wanting to startle her. “Maggie?”

Her head rose and she frowned when she met my eyes. “Jake.”

“Are you okay?”