Page 89 of Banter & Blushes

I take a deep breath and go for it. Either she’ll reply or ghost me.

Ethan: Hi, Mia. This is Ethan McKennan. Sure enjoyed “meeting” you today.

After hitting send, I stare at my phone, waiting for those three pulsing dots to show up.

Shaking his head, Wade chuckles. “You haven’t even officially met her yet, and you have it bad, my friend.”

“McKennan!” Coach’s voice blasts into the locker room. He stands inside the doorway, one hand on his hip and a bottle of cleaner and a rag in the other. “I believe you have something to take care of.”

The rest of the guys razz me as I get up and take the bottle of cleaner from Coach. “Yes, Coach. Sorry.”

One side of his mouth ticks up in a grin, and he lowers his voice. “Just make sure you keep your head in the game, got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

I leave the dressing room and head toward the arena. Mia’s number brandished across the plexiglass makes me smile all over again.

Did I plan on cleaning windows today? Not on your life.

But it’s totally worth it.

CHAPTER 6

MIA

Ican’t stop staring at my phone as Sophie drives me back to my place.

Ethan…

Oh, I like his first name. True to my nature as a teacher who loves words, I switch to a browser and look up the meaning of his name.

Strong. Firm. Enduring.

A girl could get behind a guy like that. Or in front of.

Heat floods my cheeks as I type a reply and imagine myself on a date with Ethan. Would he rest his hand on my lower back, guiding me to our table at a restaurant? Would he hold my hand in his as we take a walk on the beach during a blazing sunset? Would he ask if he could kiss me at the end of the evening?

Mia: Hi, Ethan. Great to meet you, too.

Almost immediately, those little dots show up, telling me he was waiting for my reply. Gotta say, I’m liking this so far. A lot. An attentive guy is hard to find, and I’ve had my fill of inattentive ones.

Like George, the guy I dated briefly last year. I didn’t really care for the meaning of his name—farmer or earth worker. Nothing against farming, but this girl doesn’t enjoy getting dirty. George wasn’t really a farmer, per se, but he did like his plants. Maybe a little too much.

When a guy says he has to spend time with his plants so they don’t feel rejected, you start to rethink things. I know I did. Very quickly. Goodbye, Georgy.

Then there was Steve, which means wreath or crown. His ego certainly fit that definition. He acted as if I was put on this earth to serve his every need. We lasted all of two dates. Last I heard, Steve’s still searching for his subservient queen.

But Ethan… My heart does a little swoop in my chest, making my stomach flutter. It’s pretty obvious he’s strong. I mean, hello? He’s a hockey player, so I’m sure he’s loaded with lots offirmmuscles. The thought makes me giggle.

“What’s so funny?” Sophie glances at me before switching on her car signal to turn into my apartment complex.

“Oh, you know me. Having fun with words in my head again.”

She snorts. “You’re such a teacher.”

“I know,” I preen, then point to my phone. “His first name is Ethan, which means strong, firm, and enduring.”

Sophie parks in front of my apartment to drop me off. “And which one of those made you laugh?”

---