Page 39 of You Had Me at Hockey

“Girly?”

She grins. “I knew you were going to say that. I’m a girl but I’m not into sweet drinks.”

“You like wine.”

“Yes. I love rosé wine! But you know…” She shrugs. “Sometimes you wine, sometimes you booze.”

I burst out laughing.

We talk and joke around more as we eat our meals, both of us opting for seafood—her pan-seared salmon, me ahi tuna medallions. The food is fantastic, Sara keeps me laughing, and we order another round of drinks.

“Did you hear we have a new coach?” I ask her.

“I did hear! How is that?” She awaits my answer with curious eyes, and I get the feeling she’s thinking about how I don’t like change.

“It’s been okay, I guess. He’s a good defensive coach, so maybe I’ll learn from him.”

“That’s good.” She nods encouragingly.

“He put me on the number one power play unit today.”

“Okay, that sounds like something good, but you’re going to have to explain that to me.”

“You know what the power play is, right?”

“When the other team has a penalty.”

“Yes. So every team has different power play systems that they use to try to make the best of the power play and score.”

“Okay.”

“There are lots of different factors in who plays—right-hand versus left-hand shots, who’s your best shooter, who’s strong in front of the net, and who’s good on the point who can find passing lanes.”

“Wow. That’s a lot of strategy.”

I nod.

“But doesn’t that mean you’re one of the best players, if they use you on the power play?”

“Well, it means I’m good on the point.” I smile wryly.

“So modest. But you’re happy about this, aren’t you?”

“I am. Sure. It’s a good opportunity for me. But…you know. It’s a change. I’ve had my share of changes lately.”

She smiles, a slow, gentle smile. “Yeah. But maybe a good change.”

When the waitress inquires about dessert, I shake my head. “I have something else planned for dessert,” I tell Sara.

She makes an excited face that’s adorable.

We take our time finishing our drinks and paying the bill, then head out.

As we leave, we pass by the bar and someone calls Sara’s name.

She looks over, smiles, and waves. “Hi!” She turns to me. “Come meet my friends.”

I follow her through the crowded space to the bar. She exchanges hugs and cheek kisses with two men, then they introduce her to another couple with them, Kamal and Sunny. Then Sara introduces me to Connor and Eli and their two friends. We shake hands.

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