Page 75 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

“What?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

I was about to press him about it when Reese and Erik interrupted with Madi and Chloe following behind.

“Hey, guys!” Erik slapped Lance’s back, and I shifted to avoid getting hit.

We got swept up with the group and moved from stall to stall while also mingling with the donors.

I caught Lance watching me with an expression I couldn’t decipher, but we didn’t have another moment alone until we were leaving, and by then I was way too exhausted to have the conversation that needed to happen.

Tonight was perfect. That was all that mattered.

Eight

Lance

The same thoughts ran through my mind from the time I fell asleep to when I made it to the arena for training.

Did she have fun? Did she enjoy being with me? What was next for us?

That was what I was most curious about. The party was over, so we didn’t have anything to link us. Would things change now? Would our near-constant communication via texts fade? Was she glad it was over?

This was so unlike me. I wasn’t the type to get self-conscious or overthink every single little thing. I wanted to head to her office and talk it out, but that would have to wait until later. Even though today was just weight training, I couldn’t skip without a good excuse. I doubted Coach Rust would accept me needing to check in on the woman I have a crush on as valid.

“Hey, man,” Jake greeted me as I entered the weight room.

“Hi,” I dropped my duffle bag along the wall and moved to spot him on the bench.

“Did you guys have fun last night?” he asked after finishing the first rep.

I watched the bar, making sure it was secure on the rungs before answering, “Yeah. At least I think so. She seemed happy when I dropped her off, but you never know with women.”

Olli chuckled next to us. “Truer words have never been spoken.”

Brandon shook his head, standing behind Olli. “It shouldn’t be that hard. Was she smiling?”

I nodded.

“Was she quiet?” he continued.

I thought about our conversation about our favorite stands on the drive to her apartment. “Not at all.”

“And when you left, did she do anything? Hug or kiss you?”

All three of them were staring, waiting for my response.

“We hugged, and I kissed her cheek.”

Olli winced, and Jake swung around to get into position for another press.

Was that wrong? Should I have tried to actually kiss her?

Brandon pursed his lips.

“What? What did I do?”

Olli chuckled, “It’s what you didn’t do.”

Brandon nodded. “I’m afraid he’s right.”