Page 34 of Delayed Offsides

After ordering a new bed, Ami points toward the exit. “I need a new bikini.”

I usually don’t care to be at the mall when I’m not working and especially since I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow. Last thing I want is work to actually need something. I spent enough time here during the week, but I’m never one to pass up shopping either. I need a few things for Cabo as well.

I take Ami into Victoria’s Secret with me and show her the bikini I ordered for her last week. Her eyes immediately brighten as she takes in the pink and white string bikini I hold out in front of me. “Something like this?”

Taking the hanger from me, she sets her two bags from Nordstrom’s on the floor and holds the bikini against her body. “I love it!” She gleams.

Leaning against the wall, I watch her stare at something so simple but means a lot to her. “It’ll look amazing on you.”

She frowns slightly, moving her hips in another direction to see a different angle. “I haven’t even tried it on.”

“I know, but you will look great in it. Mase will freak when he sees you on the beach inthat.”

She grins. “You think?”

What I love most about Ami is you can literally give her a pack of gum, and she acts like you’re giving her the world. She’s grateful for even the simplest gestures.

You should have seen it when Evan gave her a car for her birthday last month. You would have thought he gave her a million bucks. Of course, a guy like Evan easily can, but it’s the gesture that means the most for her.

“What’s yours look like?” she asks, setting the bikini on the counter beside the register.

“I have like six at home,” I tell her, reaching for my bags on the floor. “I’ll probably just wear one of them. And you are not paying for that. I already bought it for you.” My stomach rumbles. “Can we please go eat now? I’m starving.”

“Sure.” Ami tosses the bikini in her bag. “Are yousureI don’t owe you anything for that?”

“Positive.”

“What would I do without you?”

I laugh. “Probably be friends with Natalie and not dressed as well.”

Natalie is a nurse at the local hospital who also made her rounds with a few of the Chicago Blackhawks. Only she’s developed an obsession with Evan lately and thinks she could get him to settle down with her. Crazy notion she has seeing how Ami is living with him and practically has a ring on her finger already. But bitches be crazy. They’ll do just about anything to lock down an athlete.

“Don’t joke about that, Callie. She’s stalking him.”

Ami starts telling me about Natalie’s latest stunt to get Evan’s attention, nothing short of ridiculous in most cases, but my mind isn’t on that.

It’s on my missing period. I have no cramps. No boob soreness. Nothing. It’s like my period is on vacation, and I’m given a free pass for the month. And that’s all well and good, but I know a little bit from health class and understand it doesn’t quite work that way.

Reaching in my purse, I pull out my container of Tic Tacs I have been obsessively eating today, and Ami gives me a sideways glance, probably wondering why I’m eating them like it’s my only meal today.

She says nothing because Katie is walking toward us with a bright smile and wearing boots I really need in my closet. “Where the fuck did you find those?”

“Freebird.”

Ami and I both glance over the brown leather booties she has paired with skinny dark jeans and a baggy cashmere sweater. “Got them 50 percent off too! Closeout sale.”

“Damn. That means they’re probably sold out now.”

Katie shrugs. “Maybe. Worth a shot.”

Ami and I planned to meet up with Katie to go shopping today. You’re probably wondering who Katie is. She’s Travis Sono’s wife. Travis is another one of the Blackhawks players, a right wing who usually plays on the same line as Evan and Leo.

We love Katie. Great sense of humor, awesome style, and loves to shop. Naturally, we all get along great.

“Do they still have those boots?” Ami asks, still eyeing them as we get seated at the restaurant.

“Yeah, I think they do.” Katie scoots in her chair, placing her cell phone on the table by her water glass. “I just got them a few days ago.”

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