Page 20 of For the Win

“Yes.I’m done for the day here.”

“Great!I can buy you a drink.”He moves toward the counter to pay for his items.

“Oh my God, you don’t give up, do you?”

“I wouldn’t be a professional hockey player if I gave up.”

“Why are you here?”I ask him.

“I wanted to learn more.And I wanted to see you again.”

My chest squeezes.Well, at least he’s honest.I don’t get a creepy vibe from him, but still...those words freak me out a little.“How did you know I work here?”

His forehead furrows.“Gary said it when he introduced you the other day.”

“Oh.Right.”I eye him.

He pulls out a credit card and hands it to Willow with a smile.She smiles back, clearly finding him attractive.

As do I.

Most women would be enjoying this.A gorgeous professional athlete who seems nice, if a bit goofy, who’s clearly attracted to me and is asking me out.And I’m attracted to him.I can’t deny it.But...I’m not most women.

I nibble my bottom lip.I’m so tempted to let him buy me a drink.But I’m also nervous.

I am brave.

He turns away from the counter with the brown paper shopping bag containing his purchases.“So?Where should we go?”

Okay.I’m doing it.“There’s a place a few blocks down the street...Bottles and Bites.We could meet there.”

“Okay.Sounds good.Which way?”We step out onto the sidewalk.I point toward the beach.

I push my arms through my backpack straps and move to the bike rack to unlock my bike.I’m not sure where he parked, but I’ll probably get there before him since it’s not far and he’ll need to find parking again.

Sure enough, I am there before him, but I’m just locking my bike again when he walks up.“Do you bike everywhere?”

“Pretty much.”I straighten.“I don’t have a car.”

“Huh.Really?LA is such a car city.”

“I know.”

He opens the door of Bottles and Bites and gestures for me to go in ahead of him.I walk in.I look at him when the hostess asks if we want to sit inside or outside, but he lets me decide.“Outside,” I say.“It’s a beautiful day.”

The patio is nearly full.I guess it’s happy hour.It’s shady and cool, with lots of greenery.Wooden tables and wrought iron chairs sit atop the red brick patio.We’re led to a small table in the corner, which happens to be right by the window.I drop my backpack on the patio and take the bench seat.

“Nice.”Harrison looks around.“I haven’t been here.”

“It’s kind of local, I guess.”

“Yeah.”

We each pick up the menu we’re handed.

“How about food?”Harrison asks.“I’m a little hungry after that workout.”

I purse my lips in a smile.“I’m sure you work out a lot harder than that.”

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