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He thinks for a moment. “Yeah, kind of. I mean, I still feel like the same person.” He looks over at me with those deep blue penetrating eyes. When he looks at me, it’s like he’s really taking me in. As if he’s almost seeing me for the first time.
It’s a little unnerving to have someone looking at me so intensely. “How about you?” he asks.
I raise my eyebrows.
“Are you still the same person?” he continues.
I take a breath and swallow. “Yes, I don’t feel too much different.”
He assesses me for a moment and takes a sip of his soda.Those eyes again.
“Well, you look good,” he says. “I’m thinking Florida agrees with you.”
“I definitely love the climate.”
“How long is Maddie out here for?”
“Just a few more days.”
“Ashton wanted to meet the chick wearing his jersey,” he muses, rubbing his chin.
I laugh now. They would make a cute couple. “She has no freaking idea about ice hockey.”
“I meant what I said, I’m glad you came to the game.”
I take another sip of my water. “You are?”
He shrugs. “It surprised me after everything.”
“Do you hate me?” I ask him, blurting it out. It’s been a burning question for so long.
His eyes flick up at me, brow furrowing. “I could never hate you, Emmerson.”
“Really?” I ask him, with all intent. “Because I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
“I think a lot of things about that situation, believe me. But hate isn’t one of them.”
He shuffles a little in his seat. “I talked to my Mom this afternoon.”
Oh boy.
“I know she told you about her tests coming up.”
I nod. “Yeah, she did. I think she needed someone to talk to first. I was surprised she hadn’t told you.”
“It’s typical of Mom, you know what she’s like.”
Yes, I thought I knew. But after talking to her this morning, I guess I don’t really know.
Maybe time has softened the blow somewhat.
“I hope it all goes okay for her.”
“It’s fucking worrying.” He sighs, sitting back in his seat as the waiter comes back with our entrees and my glass of wine.
We both thank him in unison.
“I just hope it’s good news by the end of it.”
