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“I don’t think that at all. But I do want you to be happy.”
Finally, his expression softens. “You know, I believe it. How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“You’re so sincere. Most people, they say something like that, but it’s like, sure. Whatever you say.” He rolls his eyes. “Not you. Something like that comes out of your mouth, and I believe you mean it.”
“Maybe because I do. And I guess you must trust me. That’s why you can believe me.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
After we’ve tucked into our meals – linguine with Bolognese for me, steak for him – he gives me a little insight into what was going on with the team during the game. “Honestly, it was like playing with a different team from last year. There was so much more communication. Like, I could sense what Danny needed from me to score that goal. I knew where he’d be. I wish we could have played like that all along.”
“You can thank your coach for that. He’s the one who figured out the chemistry was off and put me in charge of mixing things up based on strengths and weaknesses, plus chemistry on the ice.”
“Chemistry, huh?” The wicked gleam in his eyes both excites and disappoints me. He knows he shouldn’t be talking like that right now.
And he must see the disappointment on my face, because he sits up a little straighter like he just got caught doing something naughty. “Sorry. Bad habit?”
“Yeah, but let’s work on keeping that to a minimum, okay?”
“So how did it feel for you? Watching an actual game.”
“Honestly, it was so exciting.” I can’t help but giggle when I remember the rush. “And it was so cool, seeing everything come together. I mean, Coach and I have worked for months to come up with, I don’t know, the right recipe. I know that’s not the right word, but that’s sort of how it felt sometimes. Like we were two crazy cooks in the kitchen, throwing random things together to see if they work.”
“I guess you make a good combination. No wonder he’s so glad you started with the team.” He winks before lifting his glass in my direction. “For the record, so am I.”
“I sort of got the idea.” I lift my glass to him. “Here’s to you. Really, you killed it today.”
“Let’s just hope the rest of the season goes as well as this game.” We toast to that, then spend the rest of dinner chatting about nothing in particular. But it’s nice, just talking and getting to know each other better. There’s no pressure, and since we both know there’s a limit to how far we can go, it’s sort of freeing. There’s no expectations. No discomfort.
At least, there’s no discomfort until it’s time to go. I insist on paying, since this is supposed to be a celebration dinner in his honor, and he insists on walking me to my car. When we reach the driver’s side door, I turn to him wearing a tight smile. “This is very nice. I’m really glad we got to spend some time together.”
“Me, too.” His eyes keep turning toward my mouth. Subconscious? I’m not sure. Either way, I can you tell exactly what he’s thinking before he leans down.
And I pull back, shaking my head. “You know we can’t do that right now.”
His shoulders slump, and for one brief moment, so brief I might’ve imagined it, his eyes go narrow. It passes so quickly, it might not have happened at all. But I think it did. “I know. You’re right.”
“I better get going.”
“Wait.” It’s a barely audible plea. He finds my hand with one of his and strokes my knuckles with his thumb. “That’s it? The night’s over?”
“You know it is.”
“I’m not talking about anything physical. I was… Sort of hoping I could sleep over, anyway. As a friend.”
7
RYDER
Please say yes. Please say yes. I’m holding my breath — it’s pathetic, but I’m actually holding my breath waiting for her to answer. Hoping it will be the answer I want. I don’t care what she makes me promise. I will promise anything right now, so long as I don’t have to say goodbye to her. Not yet. Not when I’ve spent a week thinking about her, missing her, wanting her. I’ve earned this. I’ve been a good boy and kept my hands off her, and I deserve a little bit of a reward.
“Seriously?” She gives me one of her crooked smirks and looks me up and down. “Do you expect me to believe that?”
“I would even sleep on top of the covers if you want me to. I’ll be a good boy. I promise.”
“Sure. It’s easy for you to say that now.”
