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Laughing, I turn to face her. “Please tell me you got Mitch to play dolls with you.”
Danica laughs and shakes her head. “Mitch lucked out. I was the classic tomboy.”
I sort of knew that Danica and Mitch had dated in high school but I didn’t realize they’d known each other far longer. That’s a pretty neat story.
I give another quick look at the photo before grinning at her. “Dating since the tender age of five years old.”
Danica snorts and turns from the bookcase. “Hardly. We were buddies for many, many years. Mitch didn’t look at me like I was a girl until I turned fifteen. That’s when the braces came off, the acne cleared up and my boobs finally started to develop. I was a late bloomer.”
I bark out a laugh, imagining a funny image of Mitch one day walking into a room and seeing Danica for the first time as a young woman. He probably was wondering what the hell had happened to her. She probably flashed those dimples at him and it was all over.
“By the way,” I say as she grabs the satchel, presumably to give to Travis, “I got the information you texted me and all the jerseys have been ordered. I’ll have them in hand on Saturday morning.”
“I cannot thank you enough for doing that,” she breathes out. “I think you’ll pretty much guarantee me the sponsorship.”
“I don’t mind helping at all,” I assure her.
“Do you want to meet me there?”
She’s talking about the birthday party I agreed to go to with her so she can hopefully secure a big corporate sponsorship for the foundation. Brienne came through for me and managed to get eleven Camden Poe jerseys that I can hand out and sign at the party.
“How about I pick you up?” I suggest, trying to suppress a laugh. “It’s supposed to snow and no offense but men drive better than women.”
Danica’s eyes go round, her mouth drops open and she backhands me in the stomach. “Wow… I had no clue you were so sexist.”
I maintain a straight face. “I’m just saying… if you look at the statistics—”
She puts her hands on her hips and glares at me. “I’ll have you know I was born and raised in Massachusetts and I guarantee you I can drive as well as you can in the snow.”
There’s no holding back the laughter and I lift my palms in peace. “Fine, fine, fine. I’ve been put in my place.”
Which I really haven’t. I only offered the ride in case she preferred to carpool, but I didn’t want her to feel obligated. That was a good way to do it and I never once had a hesitation over teasing her. That’s a testament to my knowing her and I think I sort of forgot that we had a decent friendship over the years before Mitch died.
Danica rolls her eyes at me, her lips quirking upward.
“Shoot me a text with the address and what time you want me there.”
“Will do,” she says, then turns toward the foyer as the sound of thundering footsteps from above grabs our attention.
Travis comes flying down the stairs, skids across the wood floor and careens into the door before turning our way.
Danica moves to him, handing over the satchel. “I packed you some water and a snack.”
“Mom,” he drawls in slight annoyance. “I don’t need that.”
“But you’ll take it anyway,” she chides as she kisses him on the head. He tries to pull away, and I expect he’s at that age where parental affection is “gross.”
Travis shoots me a shy glance.
“You remember Camden, don’t you?” Danica asks.
I hold out my fist. “’Course he does. I think I last saw you at our game against the Vipers in early November, right?”
Danica, Travis and several other widows and kids came to the game for a special remembrance ceremony between the first and second periods.
Travis taps his fist against mine. “You played a great game. Got an assist.”
I blink in surprise that he’d know such a thing. I don’t even remember how I played that game off the top of my head.
