Page 77 of Exes Don't

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Snow Globe Redemption

Rose

Anton and I shared a filet mignon fajita and a platter of grilled shrimp tacos, and all the while, he stared at me with such hunger in his eyes it made it nearly impossible for me to eat. He insists on paying, and when we stand, he helps me slide into my jacket. I wore the one that he got for me. Maybe it’s overkill, but it’s the warmest piece of clothing I own. And I love having his name on my back.

“This jacket is the coolest,” he says, as I zip it up. “And it’s good luck, so I think you should wear it again to our next home game.”

“You think I’m going to show up to all your home games now, do you?” I’m feeling feisty and high on his attention.

His forehead puckers. “I wouldn’t want to assume. I figured for the article…I don’t know. I’d never force you to come and watch me play. I—”

“Anton.” I grab his forearm. “I’m kidding. Of course I’ll be there. And not for the article.” I pause, the reality of my situation threatening to press in and ruin this perfect evening, but I kick it away with a firm boot. “I want to be there. Can I tell you a secret?”

“Yes.”

We step out onto Main Street, and he stands next to me. I can’t believe I’m about to admit this, but I tell myself it’s the first step toward total honesty with a guy I want a future with.

“You know how I have your jersey? Well, jerseys, multiple,” I add with a chagrinned smile.

“Uh-huh.” He’s staring at me with the full force of his gaze.

“And you know how I told you I bought the River Foxes one when I moved to Wisconsin?”

“Mm-hmm.” He shifts to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The wind kicks it immediately back into my face, and he repeats the gesture.

“I got the jersey because I planned to go to some River Foxes games. To watch you. And I needed something to wear.”

His eyes widen and then narrow, a slow smile sauntering across his face. “How many games have you been to, Rosie?”

“A few.” I bite my lip.

He touches my elbow. “What’s a few?”

“All the home games.”

“Rose!”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal to me.”

“Well…okay, then. Now you know.” I grab for his hand. “I don’t want you to think I wouldn’t want to show up for you. Because I do.”

He gazes down at me, and I can see the carousel of questions flickering through his eyes. He’s probably wondering why I would follow his career. Why I would support him from the nosebleeds when I forfeited the chance to have a front-row seat to his life.

I can’t answer those questions for him. Not right now. I need to talk to my dad. I need to figure out a game plan. So, I do the one thing I’ve wanted to do since he walked into the restaurant looking more delicious than the fish tacos.

I grab the lapels of his peacoat, pull myself flush with his chest, and kiss him.

And suddenly, I’m changing my tune about being inside a snow globe. Because this…here…in his arms, with my lips against his, and the snow falling down around us, and the lights from the streetlamps glistening…it’s actually pretty darn spectacular.

I’m not even cold.

Someone whistles at us from across the street, bursting our bubble. We lean back, both chuckling. I get a good look at Anton’s mouth and gasp. “I got lipstick all over you.”

I reach up to rub the red stain from around his lips.

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