Page 26 of You Had Me at Hockey

“I understand. You would look good on the video. I’d be the one making a fool of myself.”

I smile.

“Maybe you could think about it.”

“I can do that.”

She presses her fingers to her lips and rubs, frowning.

“What’s wrong.”

“Er, nothing. Thanks for at least considering it.”

“Sure. I watched some of your videos yesterday.”

“Did you?” She grins. “I’m amazed you actually showed up tonight. Now youreallyknow how weird I am.”

“You’re not weird. You’re honest. You say what everyone else is thinking.”

“I guess I do. Sometimes I need to be a little less honest.” Her eyes shadow and she drops her gaze. “Especially around toxic people. I’ve made that mistake of being too honest and then they use it against you in some way.”

“That’s shitty. But I get that.”

She lightens the moment. “And when someone asks if they look good. Honesty isnotthe best policy in that situation.”

“True.”

Our meals arrive and we wait as we’re served. Sara holds her hands out palms up and peers at them. Then she rubs her fingertips together, frowning.

Her smile doesn’t return as she licks and bites her lips, staring at her food.

“Is everything okay?” I ask once we’re alone again. “Is that not the right order?”

“No, it’s fine. Fine. I’m just…not feeling quite right.”

My eyebrows pull down. “Are you sick?”

“Um.” She draws in a deep breath. “I’m not sure.” She squeezes her eyes tightly shut for a few seconds. “Let’s just eat.”

“Okay.” I pick up my cutlery. My pork chops look amazing, and I cut into one but keep an eye on Sara. She pokes her fork into her pasta, a concoction of eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, onion, and goat cheese.

She spears a small piece of eggplant and pops it into her mouth, but she looks…uncomfortable. She’s blinking a lot and seems to be breathing fast. What is going on?

She rubs her mouth with her serviette and when she lowers it, my gaze lingers on her mouth. It’s a pretty mouth for sure, but right now…it seems bigger. Her lips are fuller.

“I think I have to leave.” She looks up at me. Her cheeks are flushed. She really isn’t well.

“Uh, sure.” I catch the waitress’s eye and she hurries over. “I’m so sorry, but we need to leave unexpectedly. Can we get our check?”

“Of course. Would you like your meals packaged up?”

I glance at Sara. She shakes her head. Her eyes look funny now. She’s already standing so I figure we need to leave quickly. “What was in that appetizer?” she asks, her voice a little wheezy.

The waitress lists all the ingredients: lettuce cups filled with chicken, feta, chopped tomato, and olives in a dressing of hummus with Greek yogurt and lemon juice.

“Hummus,” Sara croaks. She grabs her coat and leaves.

I take care of the bill as fast as I can and catch up to Sara on the sidewalk, my mind spinning like a pinwheel in a hurricane. “Are you okay?”

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