Page 13 of You Had Me at Hockey

“Ah, okay.” I list off my Twitter and Insta handles for questions or comments. “Or suggestions for other topics, because you guys all know I’m open to talking about fucking anything and having fun! Love, peace, and chicken grease!”

Oliver signals that we’re done and I heave a huge sigh. “Fini!”

“That was actually fun,” Josh says.

“Did you not expect it to be fun?”

“I didn’t know what to expect. Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound insulting.”

“That’s okay, I get it. I didn’t expect to have so much fun talking to you either.”

“I’m not exactly a fun guy.” He grimaces and rubs the back of his neck.

Now that’s got me curious. “I’d love to talk more. Hey, why don’t we go for lunch?”

“I…uh…”

Shit, he’s trying to get out of it. Rejection has always been hard for me, so I brace myself.

After a beat, he says, “Okay. Sure.”

My heart bounces. “Great!”

Chapter 5

Josh

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

This woman is kind of nuts. But kind of cute. And hot. And…funny. Goddammit, she had me in stitches. I haven’t laughed like that in years.

She’s so…bright. I mean in a shining, dazzling way. Although she’s definitely smart. And she’s open and honest and real. Wiping her sweaty hand and asking me about spitting. There’s something weirdly attractive about that.

She goes and talks to Oliver about editing and production or something like that and I stroll out into the waiting area. I stand in front of the wall looking at framed pictures. I guess these are all podcasts that are recorded here. There’s Sara. I study her logo with a picture of her, which isn’t nearly as pretty as she is in real life.

I was nervous about this. I’ve been interviewed a million times in my life, but this is something different. I was expecting some perfect chick and…I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.

I also wasn’t expecting to go out for lunch with her after, and it’s really weird that I agreed to it. She threw me off when she asked. I like my day to be planned in advance so I know what to expect. And yet…I said yes.

“Okay, let’s go!” Full of energy, she breezes into the room and sails straight to the closet. She pulls out my jacket and hands it to me, but I set it on the back of a chair to help her into hers. She gives me a flick of surprised eyes, turning her back to me to slide her arms into the sleeves. Hey, my mom taught me to do this.

We’re both wearing almost identical jackets—puffy and black. I love this jacket; it’s thin but super warm. I put mine on, tucking my scarf inside my jacket while she winds a huge knit scarf around her neck.

“Do you have anywhere in particular you’d like to go?” she asks, leading the way out.

“Nope.”

“Okay, no problem. There are a lot of places near here.”

Out on the sidewalk she pauses as she pulls on a pair of brightly colored knit mittens. “Are you vegan?”

“No!”

“You don’t have to say it like that. There’s nothing wrong with being vegan.”

“Are you?”

“Nah. I love a good burger. Okay, I know where we should go.” She starts off and I move into step with her.

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