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“Nope,” said Oliver. “It’s because you were fucking amazing in there.”

“Well, so were you!” She slowed, meeting his gaze. “It felt like we were this unstoppable team, giving and taking, raising each other’s game⁠—”

A guy with an oversized backpack barged past with a rushed “Sorry!” as he knocked Georgie straight into Oliver.

“Oof!” She fisted his coat for balance as her lips brushed across his. Shit! Fuck! Nooo! Cheeks flushing again, she dipped her chin mid-wince.

Oliver grabbed Georgie’s waist, steadying her wobble. His eyes widened. “You okay?”

Firm and tight, his spontaneous embrace and the proximity of his mouth sent Georgie’s pulse on a giddy joy ride. “Yeahhh.” She laughed into a tremble, the intensity of his stare unleashing a surge of hopefulness in Georgie’s chest. She let out a staggered breath.

His gaze dragged downward, settling on her parted lips. “Good.” His throat visibly bobbed. Hard.

Georgie gave his arm an encouraging squeeze, and like magic, his smile reappeared, reaching his eyes.

“C’mon, lovebirds, outta the way. You’re blocking the steps!” A man in a security guard uniform barged past.

Unfortunately, a stampede of high school students necessitated she release her grip.

Slowly—gently—he extricated his arms from her waist and the straps of her bags, an amused grin growing. “Of course. Mustn’t block traffic!”

Georgie nodded slowly, her rapt focus reuniting with his eyes, but Oliver had already glanced away.

SIXTEEN

The next day, Tuesday, October 20, 1992

Leafs record: 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie (in overtime)

BEEP! “Hey Ollipop, it’s Gi. Nice hold music! Never gonna give, never gonna give! Give. You. Up!” She laughed. “I LOVE Rick Astley. I’m happy the museum does too!

“I know it’s barely six-thirty, but I wanted to leave a good morning message for when you arrived at work—and what a good morning it is! I still haven’t come down from the high of yesterday. Every single second was incredible and memorable, thanks to you! It’s all I can think about.”

She paused for a beat.

“So, I know we won’t be executing the new curriculum until the new year, but we could still go shopping for bedsheets and props. Or we could meet for dinner and discuss the script further? Can’t hurt to work ahead. Things always pop up, and this way, we’ll be ahead of the curve. I’m free tomorrow night if that works. Unfortunately, my other evenings this week are booked with hockey and a family thing with my mum on Friday. So lemme know about tomorrow!

“I hope your day is full of BeaverTails, hot coffee, and cooperative students. Come to think of it, I hope cooperative students are in my immediate future, too. The last few weeks have not been the teaching dream. Okay, enough! I’m rambling. Call me. Bye!” BEEP!

BEEP! “Hi Georgie. Ollie here, returning your call Tuesday eve—oh? Wait a…is that YOU? I’m watching a TV show called Speakers Corner and—yeah, it IS you! And Kait.” He paused into a half-laugh. “You’re wearing Leafs gear and complaining about fans who bang on the glass. Funny!

“So anyway—I agree. We should forge ahead on presentation planning, but I’m unable to meet tomorrow. Colleagues from Milwaukee are here for a few days and Amalia has asked me to wine and dine them. Apparently, they love a good steak, so if you know of—” BEEP!

BEEP! “Sorry Georgie. It’s Oliver again. Machine cut me off.

“I was about to ask if you have any recommendations for steakhouses. Bonus points if they’re downtown.

“Also, would you be available Saturday afternoon before hockey? I’ll give you my home number. If you have pen and paper handy…it’s 555-9367. Call me whenever it’s convenient. Hope all is well. Night, night.” BEEP!

* * *

Wednesday, October 21, 1992

Leafs record: 3 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie (in overtime)

BEEP! “Hey, Ollie! It’s a little past six in the morning. Calling you at work instead of home”—she broke into a yawn—“so I won’t wake you. Sorry about my machine. It’s a temperamental brat.” She yawned again.

“Ohhh god. Sorry. Last night went late. The league’s doing this thing where teams play in neutral cities, and we had to travel to Hamilton for our game against Ottawa. We won, but it took almost two hours to get home. Half the lanes on the highway were closed for construction.”