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“This is so unnecessary,” she says a few minutes later as we’re starting down the road. “I think I can make it the few hundred yards to the house by myself.”
She probably would be fine, but why take a chance?
I tell her that and add, “You never know what’s lurking around. There are wild animals out here. Better safe than sorry, you know?”
“I guess,” she murmurs.
Even though she’s acting all tough and nonchalant, I can tell she’s glad I’m walking with her, especially when we reach the section between our houses that’s heavily wooded and dark as fuck. It really is too. So much so that I have to take out my phone and turn on the flashlight feature so we can see properly.
Moving a little closer to me, Willow says, “You know what? Maybe you’re right. It is a little creepy out here at night.”
“That’s okay.” I move a little closer to her. “I’ll keep you safe.”
I will, too, starting with making sure I walk her all the way up to the front door.
I wait for her to unlock it too.
After she does exactly that, she turns back to me and tells me she had a great time tonight.
I share that I did too.
“Talk to you later, I guess,” she says softly.
“Yeah, we’ll talk for sure.” I start to turn away. “See ya.”
“Okay, bye.”
I don’t immediately walk off, and I notice she doesn’t go inside the house.
Something feels unfinished, but what?
And why does it seem this way?
I’m not sure, but I do know I want to see her again…and soon. I don’t want to leave it vague like this, with a simple “talk to you later.” Spending time with Willow makes me forget about that awful playoff loss and my role in it. But it’s more than just that—I like being around her.
So, turning back, I say, “Hey, one more thing.”
She leans back on the door, her expression expectant. “Yeah?”
I blow out a breath. “Tomorrow morning I’m going down to the practice facility at the Thunder complex to get in some skating. If you’re up for it, you’re welcome to come along. I don’t know how exciting it’ll be, but it’s something to do.”
Nodding happily, she says, “I think it sounds like fun. I’d love to go.”
Feeling pretty pumped that she’s into my idea, I go on. “Great, awesome, then we have a plan. You can skate or you can just watch. Whichever you’re more comfortable with.”
“Watch?” she exclaims, pushing away from the door. “Hell with that. Addison has ice skates upstairs. I saw them in a closet the other day. She and I wear the same size, so I’m definitely bringing them and hitting the ice with you, buddy.”
I laugh, loving her spunk.
She’s my kind of girl.
Shaking my head and still chuckling, I say, “All right then, skating it is. I’ll roll down here and pick you up at about nine. Does that work for you?”
“Absolutely.” She finally opens the door and steps backward into the house. She waves. “I’ll see you then.”
As I start to turn away, without thinking, I murmur, “Cool. It’s a date.”
Shit, I don’t add anything else. I think that was enough.
