Page 44 of Sleepless Nights and Hockey Fights

Ramona drops a hand onto my shoulder and bends down. “Molls, you may have gotten a little lazy with the tweezers. Let the man work.”

I drop my hand to my lap and scowl. “It’s probably my eyesight. It keeps getting worse every year.” I shoot my gaze to Lars again. “Fine, do what you must.” I throw up a finger. “But no haircut.”

Twenty minutes later, I’ve completely given up and decided to let Lars and Ramona have their way with me. It’s much easier this way, and besides, Bobby is texting me.

Bobby: Our flight is getting in a little early. You mind if I come at six-thirty instead of seven?

Me: It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date, but even I know a guy can’t show up early.

Bobby: Then I’ll try to amuse myself until seven. You sell any houses since this morning?

Me: No, but I finally got my commission check from my toughest sale yet. Cocktails on me tonight!

Bobby: Congrats! But I’ll be paying for the cocktails.

Me: We’ll see.

Bobby: What are you up to right now?

Since there’s no way I’m telling him I’m getting a makeover, I fudge a little.

Me: Hanging out with my friend Ramona. You know, girl stuff.

Bobby: Ah. In other words, I should mind my own business?

Me: Ha! Maybe.

Bobby: Okay, I’ll let you go. I’ve got some guy stuff to do anyway. Can’t wait to see you tonight.

I grin down at my phone just as Lars spins my chair back around. When I look up into the mirror, I hardly recognize myself. My hair has been styled into soft waves that disguise my thinning areas, and my makeup is a couple notches above what I’d normally do while still managing to look natural and effortless. Lars’s deft hand has made my eyes look huge, and I somehow have the cheekbones of a Hollywood starlet.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Ramona declares. I meet her eyes in the mirror and laugh. My laugh turns into a coughing fit, however, when she continues with, “Time for your waxing appointment. That kitty’s not gonna strip itself!”

Chapter Nineteen

Bobby

“You need to calm down,” I tell myself in the rearview mirror of Wolverine. Myself doesn’t listen.

Wolverine does though. Soft music flows through the speakers. I’m parked half a block down from Molly’s place, twenty minutes early for our date, knee jumping in nervous anticipation. I scrub a hand down my face and turn away from the mirror in disgust. Since when does Bobby Rhodes get nervous about a girl?

Maybe since the girl is way too good for him.

That stupid voice in my head won’t shut up. It was squawking as I bought the biggest bouquet of flowers the shop had. It whispered in my ear as I went to three different stores before I found key lime Twizzlers. It was practically screaming as I checked my favorite Gucci wallet for condoms before heading out the door. Not that I intend to sleep with Molly tonight.But a guy can’t be too prepared, has always been my motto. Actually, I’ve never had a motto. Mottos would mean I put time andthought into it, and let’s be honest, I usually just fly by the seat of my very stylish pants.

I rest my head back and close my eyes, taking long, measured deep breaths. My session with Ashley early this morning involved visualization, a technique used for things that chronically make me angry. Turns out it’s pretty useful for nervousness too. The bats in my stomach are finally calming down. Maybe Coach should have Ashley do a session with the whole team. Now that he and I are pals, maybe he’ll take my suggestion.

I laugh out loud as I visualize that dinner with him. Talk about awkward. He ordered oysters first thing, and I thought maybe he was trying to hit on me. What guy orders oysters at dinner with another guy?

Coach actually just loves oysters, which is one of the many things I found out about him. He tried to be my friend, which was a move I wasn’t expecting. I obliged, and by the end of dinner, I found myself actually liking the guy. He’s still a dick on the ice, but taking the time to get to know me on a friendly level somehow makes his tough love palatable.

I suggested he do the same with each guy on the team. Which is why I’m laughing, thinking of all my teammates having to endure dinner with Coach. Serves those fuckers right. They gave me so much shit about my book and texting Molly, they deserve to slurp oysters with Coach over candlelight.

I check my watch again and put the car in drive when I see it’s ten to seven. Close enough. We can just get to our reservation at the Rusty Pelican early. I already tipped the maître d’ enough to warrant getting a table a little early when I went in and begged for a last minute reservation straight off the airplane.

My heart starts beating fast and hard as I see a single light on in her house. I turn off the car and tug on the cuffs of my shirt, which is lime green to match the Twizzlers. I grab the bouquetof flowers with the package of candy tucked inside and head for the front door. I could swear the curtains on the house next door move, but then Molly’s big white door is opening and my entire being is focused on her.

“Damn...” I mutter under my breath, completely taken aback by the vision in front of me.

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