Page 27 of For the Win

“Not the ones we play in.Ha, that would look hilarious with a suit.I mean, I have a collection of socks that have hockey themes on them.Some are Condors socks, others just have a hockey stick and a puck, or a face-off circle.”

She grins.“I like that.”

“And I’m a superstitious dresser.I always dress right to left, so I put on my right shin pad then my left, my right sock then my left, and so on.”

I like that she doesn’t laugh at my superstitions or mock them.I like that she has her own.It’s like a connection we have.

“Do you go to any Condors games?”

She shakes her head.“I haven’t.Although I used to like going to hockey games in college.”

“Right, right.UND.They have a good hockey program.”Something strikes me.“Not only were we probably in Winnipeg at the same time, I bet you watched me play hockey.”

She laughs.“Oh my God.”

“No, really.If we’re the same age and you went to games that Grant played in, they must have played against us at some point.You were probably there!”This idea gets me revved up again.I need to chill, though, because I scared her last time I got excited about us being fated mates.Ha ha, okay, we’re not living in a Kresley Cole novel.

She taps her lips.“You could be right, actually.”

“See?It’s practically like we already know each other.”I grin to make sure she knows I’m joking.

She shakes her head, smiling.“Sure.Okay.”

“Would you like another drink?”

“I better not.Cycling while drunk is not a good idea.”

“True.”

We talk more, until the server brings the bill.I take care of it, waving off Arya’s attempts to contribute, and then we leave.It’s dark outside now.

“Are you okay to ride in the dark?”I ask, not liking the idea of her biking home in the dark.

“Of course.I have lights and reflectors, and a helmet.I do it all the time.And it’s not far.”

“I could put your bike in the back of my car and drive you.”

“No need.But thanks.”

“Okay.”I hesitate.“I’d like to see you again.I mean, outside of yoga class.”

“I don’t know.”She sets her hands on her handlebars.“I’m not really into dating, or relationships.That’s not fair to you.”

“It can just be casual.Hang out at the beach.Go for a bike ride.”

I can see the conflict on her face.She wants to see me again, which is good.I just don’t understand what the problem is.Other than I triggered her, somehow.

Fuck.

“We’ll see.”

“Would you give me your number?”

“No.”She answers without hesitation, deflating me.“But I’ll take yours.”

“Okay.Sure.”I give it to her, she enters it into her phone, then pushes off and pedals away with a wave.

Well.I’ll see her tomorrow, because tomorrow is our second team yoga class.So I don’t feel totally blown off.

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