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“Pretending you’re someone you’re not.”
She stopped stirring and huffed. “Mikey, he knows I’m a fan. I’m not pretending anything.”
“You sure about that?”
Georgie glanced upward. “Okay, I was kinda hesitant about sharing stuff before he came to McNally’s.” Meeting Michael’s gaze again, she grasped the straw and dipped it in and out of her shake. “But I know him now. He knows me.”
“Well, I hope so. We just don’t want you to become another Andrea, that’s all.”
Georgie reared back. “In what way?”
“Ever since Andrea met her dude and got engaged, she hasn’t come to McNally’s with us.”
“True, but…” Pausing mid-sentence, Georgie’s expression grew pensive. “Come to think of it, she hasn’t returned my messages either.”
“And she totally abandoned Stef in her moment of need, telling her she couldn’t stick around because she was meeting people in Yorkville for a late dinner. People being Andrea’s yacht-racing fiancé and all his snooty friends.” Michael popped the nacho in his mouth.
“Yeah, Stef mentioned Andrea hangs out with his crowd now,” said Georgie.
“The Leafs and the rest of us commoners?” Michael shrugged. “A soon-to-be distant memory. I bet she hangs up her usherette uniform after this season.”
Georgie pouted. “Shit. I didn’t think of that.”
“Yep. Another one bites the dust,” said Michael. “So you can see why Kait’s worried about you.”
“Yeah, but I am my own person, you know. I don’t ditch my friends or interests to suit whoever I’m dating.” Georgie slipped the straw between her lips and sucked, the cold sweetness of strawberry a refreshing respite.
“But this is uncharted territory, Gi. This is the first time you’ve been interested in someone academically inclined. It’s like you and Oliver were cut from the same cloth. It’s hardly surprising you’re attracted to him. By the same token, you might…I dunno, want to take steps to ensure the relationship flourishes.”
“By dumping hockey? Don’t think so!” Georgie nudged her milkshake away. “Lots of couples have separate interests.”
“But what if Oliver doesn’t like spending every Saturday night apart? What if you start feeling the same way? It’s not unheard of.”
“Yeah, for someone else. My love for the Leafs and all of you isn’t going anywhere.”
Michael tilted his head, a familiar look blooming on his face. “Swear on Sittler?”
“Swear on Sittler. Always!”
Stealing a chunk of chips smothered in cheese and salsa, Michael smiled. “Good. Just checking!”
“Nothing will change, Bou. You’ll always be my hockey number one.”
As his grin grew, Georgie pulled a black olive-free nacho from the cheese mountain and they ate in silence while the ethereal harmonies of “Never My Love”, the ’60s classic by The Association, played through the jukebox speakers.
One question, however, still needed an answer. She looked up from her plate. “What do you think of Oliver?”
“Well…he seems smart—likes you. Gets along with everyone. Is into music—always a plus.” Michael dunked a nacho in the salsa and narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t see him dance, though.”
“And how’s that a problem?”
“Having bad rhythm?” Michael crunched the chip. “Hmm, maybe get back to me on that later.”
“Meaning?” She leaned in.
“Guys who can’t dance aren’t great in bed.”
Snorting into a laugh, Georgie tilted her head. “Oh, come on! Where’d you hear that?!”
