Page 19 of You Had Me at Hockey

Then I discover that I can make my little round vehicle spin. I lean back, the buildings whirling around me as I twirl lazily, the sky a patch of pearly gray. When I stop, Josh is watching me with a big smile.

When I hear the beep meaning our time is done, I pull my phone out to take a few selfies, maybe for Instagram later.

When we’re back on dry land, I’m breathless from laughing. Josh’s cheeks are flushed from the cold and his eyes sparkle. Shaking his head, he says, “That was the craziest thing I’ve done in a long time.”

“If that’s the craziest thing you’ve done, your life is sad.” I tuck my arm through his and we start walking.

“Can’t argue with that,” he says.

Aw. “I’m sorry I made you do that. At first you didn’t seem very happy about it. I should have asked.”

He’s silent for a few seconds. “That’s okay,” he finally says, his tone gruff. “It turned out to be fun. I, uh…like spontaneity, as long as it’s carefully planned.”

I choke out a little laugh. “Okay, good to know for the future.” Strolling past the skaters wobbling around the ice, I wave toward them. “They must look amateurish to you.”

One corner of his mouth hooks up. “Not really. They look like they’re having fun.”

“Sometime you can teach me to skate. Don’t worry! I won’t make you do it right now.” Wait, that would be a great idea for a video! I file that away.

He chuckles. “You know we’re going the wrong way to get to the subway station.”

“True. I thought we could just loop around behind the library. Oh.” I pause. “I did it again. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. So this is the library?” He gestures at the big stone building.

“Yes. Do you want to see the front?”

“Okay, sure.”

“I don’t know much about the history of the building, but I like the lions in front.” We round the corner onto Fifth Avenue and continue toward them. “They’re called Patience and Fortitude. Those are things I need to learn, so I’ve always remembered that.”

“Patience and Fortitude.” Josh nods thoughtfully. “Those are good things for us all to have.”

Damn. I like this guy, despite his desire to plan his spontaneity.

“Right?” We wander past the big stone steps to admire the other sculpture, pausing for a few minutes there before continuing on.

We turn the corner and walk the two blocks to the subway stop. Once we’re inside, we pause, stepping out of the way of people rushing past. We’re going to different trains.

“Thanks for lunch,” he says. “And the bumper cars.” He gives a tiny eye roll, but the corners of his mouth are lifted into an almost-smile.

“Thanks for the interview. I think it’s going to be great. We were hilarious.”

His near-smile widens slightly. “I haven’t laughed like that in ages.”

I had that feeling. Maybe sometime he’ll tell me why. He makes me intensely curious, not in a nosy way, more like interested in what makes him tick. He puzzles me and I want to know him better.

Maybe I should dial it down, though. I know what happens when I don’t rein myself in; guys get turned off. I most likely already turned him off with my charging into the bumper cars. I’ll probably never see him again, despite his suggestion that we hang out. Even though I don’t want to be someone I’m not, I can learn better ways of communicating, of being considerate. I’m trying.

So I merely say, “I’m glad.” And offer a smile.

“We should exchange numbers.”

“Oh! Right!” Giddiness overtakes me at this demonstration that maybe he will actually call me again. He enters my number into his phone and sends me a text, and I add him to my contacts. “Done!”

“We have a game tomorrow night and Sunday night, but then we’re away for almost all of next week.”

I nod, trying not to show my disappointment.

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