Page 17 of SlapShot Sweetheart

“No, you ‘aven’t, but it’s not. I promise.”

“You’re acting weird.”

“I’m trying to be a friend,” he said simply, rising to return to the kitchen… and Aimee sipped on the tea. He had obviously put some honey in there and a splash of lemon juice from the fridge. It was quite good, and the warmth felt so comforting running down her throat to her tummy. Between the heating pad and the tea, it was like having a hug on the inside and the outside. He returned a moment later, holding a second cup. “How is it?”

“Perfect,” she admitted quietly.

“It just galls you to say that, doesn’t it?”

“Nooo,” she protested and then hesitated. “Maybe?”

“So, the note was from your mysterious man?” Theo prompted, and Aimee coughed, nearly choking on the hot tea. She completely forgot about the note that had been taped to thedoor – and to her dismay, Theo brandished it toward her with this curious look on his face.

“Yes – and thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She opened the paper, looked at him, and turned slightly away so she could have a little privacy to read the words written carefully on the paper… and sighed. She had the other two passages memorized by this point, mentally reciting them as she added on the newest addition that had just arrived.

Is this the player she should fear,

Or love that’s waiting, ever near?

She finds the truth in every sign?—

Will she leap and let their hearts entwine?

“Oh mercy…” she breathed, closing her eyes and pressing it to her chest – and cracked an eye, looking at Theo, who was watching her, completely enthralled. “What?”

“G-Good news, I suppose?” he began hoarsely, tugging at his collar and looking away.

“Just a sweet, personal note.”

“I guess you like it.”

“It’s… it’s the best,” she finished softly, looking back at the scrawled words and letting out another heavy sigh. “I wish…”

“What?”

“Nothing,” she replied, taking another sip of her tea. “It’s nothing.”

“You like this guy… your MM.”

“How do you like someone when you barely have a chance to know them,” she began and hesitated, looking at him carefully to see if he was mocking or teasing her. He looked genuinely curious, and a part of her wished once more that they had metunder different circumstances. Maybe if she wasn’t so moody and he wasn’t so prickly, then perhaps they could have truly been friends or… more. “I always imagined that falling for someone was not one certain thing or another, but a mixture of things.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, like if you take a little bit of a few special bits of someone’s personality or life - and mix them together. Then you get something great, like an emulsion.”

“I don’t understand.”

“If you take oil, an egg, and a bit of lemon juice… you get mayo. Alone, it’s nothing great, but together, it makes something wonderful.”

“Ohhh,” he whispered keenly, staring at her with understanding. “And you want the mayo – don’t you?”

Aimee felt her eyes sting as her lip wobbled emotionally. She felt awful, completely down and depressed, felt bloated, and so many other things, but most of all – she felt alone. While the notes were sweet, the singing was so romantic, and she loved her kitties, something so special missing right now. Her mysterious guy was winning over her mind, but her arms were empty. She wanted to hold hands, share smiles, and be held during moments like this.

“Aimee?” he said softly, reaching over to gingerly touch her hand as the first tear fell. This guy, who was everything she didn’t really care for or want, was the one who was here trying to comfort her and make her feel better. What was wrong with her that she couldn’t find it in her to give him a chance?

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