Page 20 of The Love Penalty

Robbie was right.Breakfast was delicious, and it was definitely what I needed to get me out of my pit of hangry-ness. After walking around The Loop for most of the morning and getting another coffee, we then went to the John Hancock Tower. From the very top, we could see Lake Michigan and part of Illinois and Indiana. If it were a clearer day, we could have seen part of Wisconsin and Michigan as well according to Robbie. I’ve never been in a city as big as Chicago, and I have to say I love it. The bustle of it, the fact that there are so many options for food and stores, the gorgeous architecture, I love all of it.

After the tower, we walked around downtown and Robbie gave me as much information about the architecture as he could. My favorite building was definitely the Chicago Tribune tower, with its neo-gothic architecture.

We then went down to the pier and, just like Robbie said, there were hot dog carts. So we ate our Chicago dogs as we walked down the pier and saw the ferris wheel.

Without realizing it, the day went by and we now find ourselves at the ribbon to ice skate. The sky is getting darker as we are approaching dusk and it’s the perfect time to skate. Not only do we get to see the skyscrapers at night, but there are tons of lights illuminating the ribbon.

“Are you ready for the world's crappiest skates to adorn your feet?” he asks with a big smile on his face.

“Absolutely,” I say with a serious expression, “you promised me blisters and aching arches. You better deliver.”

He laughs and bumps my shoulder on his way to the check in area. He grabs our skates while I get us a locker to leave our shoes in. A short while later, we are ready to hit the ice.

The ribbon is fairly busy, but since we are both professional skaters, we easily dodge kids and people that are learning how to skate. Robbie is skating backwards and taking pictures of me with the skyline as my backdrop and I shake my head at his shenanigans. He trips but catches himself and readjusts his balance quickly.

“Will you please be careful? If you get hurt and have to sit out any games this season, I will be mad,” I say.

“Aw, you like seeing me play that much?” he asks teasingly.

“Oh no, you are a terrible hockey player. Just awful. I just won’t have anyone to hang out with after games, that’s all,” I say while batting my eyelashes.

His mouth drops open in shock and he starts skating towards me. I don’t realize his intention until it’s too late and he picks me up by my middle and pretends like he’s going to drop me. “You take that back right now, Olivia,” he says, but he’s still smiling at me.

My hands fly around his neck and I hold tight as I say, “Never.” I give him a big smile back.

“Say I’m the best hockey player you’ve ever seen,” he says, blue eyes sparkling under the twinkle lights.

“I’m sorry, but you are not Gordie Howe. I can’t possibly lie to you like that,” he twirls me, arms tight around my middle and I can’t help but laugh and smile. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this happy.

FIFTEEN

Robbie

I can’t helpbut smile as I watch Olivia’s reaction to the speakeasy I brought her to. While the Gilt Bar is a sultry upscale bar and restaurant, the best part about it is the secret library hidden in the basement. I called ahead and made a reservation since the place is incredibly popular, and now I get to watch Olivia’s awed expression.

While texting a few weeks ago, she told me she loves books and that growing up, whenever her dad was at work and she had spare time, she would always be in the library. One of her favorite part time jobs was as a librarian. I couldn’t getthatimage out of my mind for a while after she told me.

Olivia gapes at the decor of The Library. The lights are dim but we can clearly see the vintage art, the velvet booths, the fringed chandeliers, and best of all, the books that fill the surrounding walls. “This is incredible,” she whispers.

“I told you we couldn’t skip the speakeasy,” I say and place my hand at the small of her back to lead her to our booth.

As we take a seat, she frowns and looks around. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this upscale? I would have dressed a bit better.” I take a look at her casual blue jeans and light brown cable knit sweater that she’s had all day under a dark green windbreaker.

Oh darling, you look perfect.

Her eyes snap up to mine and her lips part in surprise.

Shit.

Did I say that out loud?

Before I can say anything else, the waiter takes our drink orders and leaves us to ponder over the menu. I clear my throat and look at the appetizers. Everything sounds delicious and I know I made a good choice coming here because Olivia groans and says, “Can I just live here?”

I chuckle and say, “Here, as in Chicago?”

She shakes her head, “No, here in this bar. Look at it, it’s perfect. All of this food sounds amazing, and the books… the books, Robbie!!”

“I don’t think you can live in a bar, but I can see you having a library room in your house.”

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