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She unfurled her flag. “Hello! We’re die-hard Leafs fans who just came from the Stanley Cup parade, and we want to thank our team for all the amazing memories this season!”
“Yeah!” Davis laughed. “Just don’t leave it SO LONG next time!”
Eyes rolling behind his sunglasses, Michael leaned in front of him. “We couldn’t be more proud! The city’s buzzing, everyone’s come together. This is the absolute BEST!”
“And our hockey family keeps growing! Meet our newest member from Sweden!” Kaitlin squeezed Oliver’s arm. “Whatcha got to say to Toronto, Ollie?”
Put on the spot with the countdown ticking below a minute, he stammered, “Uh, well, I love Toronto. And the Leafs, too, of course!”, prompting a rousing continuous cheer of “Go Leafs Go” inside and outside the booth.
Their time running out, Oliver and his squashed friends untangled themselves and stumbled free. Davis and Stefanie said their goodbyes and bolted west toward their workplaces—Steve’s Music and the Silver Snail—while Leesa dashed to a nearby parking lot where she’d parked the company van.
Georgie stowed her camera in her bag. “I got pictures of everyone stuffed in there. Hilarious!”
“Do you think we’ll make the cut, Kait?” asked Oliver.
She smirked. “Tune in this weekend and find out!”
“Tease.” Georgie laughed as another group of fans piled into the booth.
“Gi, what’s the latest on the Hall of Fame?” asked Will.
“I had a second interview yesterday. They’re deciding this week.”
“Oh, fingers crossed!” Randall offered his Jersey Milk chocolate bar. “When would you start?”
Georgie snapped off a square. “Thanks. Early August.”
“Which is perfect timing.” Oliver accepted a piece of chocolate. “We’re flying to London in late July to collect my stuff.”
“And see Waffles!” she mumbled as they both chewed.
“So who’s moving in with who?” asked Kaitlin.
Georgie glanced at her boyfriend. “We’re keeping things as they are for now.”
His stomach growling, Oliver swallowed into a nod. “I like rolling out of bed and having chocolate chip pancakes waiting across the street.”
“And I don’t want to abandon Ringo,” added Georgie with a forlorn grin.
“Speaking of, time to love ya and leave ya.” Randall balled up the chocolate wrapper. “Got a meeting at four.” His gaze shifted to Will. “So, after eight?”
“Yeah, enter ’round the back. Front will be locked.”
“My first lock-in,” said Oliver.
“But not your last.” Will slapped his son on the back. “Okay kids, see you later.” He departed toward University Avenue with Randall.
“Ugh, later,” groaned Michael, mid-wince. He nudged his sunglasses up his nose. “I need hair of the dog NOW. This hangover…”
Kaitlin grabbed the arm of his Zezel jersey and gave it a gentle tug. “Come. There’s booze in our tape library. We’re like the Scouts—always prepared.”
“For a party!” Michael gave Oliver and Georgie a double thumbs-up. “Later, lovers!”
Oliver smiled as their friends ambled inside. “And then there were two.” He laced his fingers through Georgie’s.
“Just how I like it,” she replied.
“I thought you preferred crowds.”
