Page 9 of Comeback
“That’s right, sweetheart! Can you say hi to the nice hockey player?” I asked Mackenzie, stealing another glimpse at the handsome stranger. His sweat-misted shirt was plastered to chiseled mountains of muscle.
The stranger knelt down so he could be eye to eye with Mackenzie. IfI’dtried to do that in rollerblades, I bet I’d end up face-planting in the pavement—but this guy made it look so easy. His gym shorts traveled up his hairy legs as he squatted, exposing his thick, sculpted thighs.
Yumm.My eyes lingered on the mouthwatering mounds of muscle for probably way too long.
“Hi. I’m Jack,” he said to my daughter. “What’s your name?”
Mackenzie grew shy.
“Don’t wanna tell me? That’s okay.”
I apologized and tried to explain. Jack made a second attempt, telling Mackenzie that he was shy, too. I doubted that was true, but he earned Mackenzie’s trust and an enthusiastic low five, too.
Hot and good with kids,I thought, trying to ignore the warmth that was kindling in my belly.
“Wow, Mackenzie! Great job!” I said, encouraging her just like the psychologist told me to.
Jack stood on his skates. “She’s awfully cute.”
You’re awfully cute, too,I thought. But I bit my tongue before I said something I’d regret.
We made some small talk, but I was only half present in our conversation. My heart raced. I was lost in his gorgeous glacial blue eyes. Onelook at his full lips, and my insides clenched with desire. I wondered if he was a good kisser—he’d damned well better be, because otherwise it’d be a waste of aperfectset of lips.
I already know what you’re thinking, and yes, I’m hopeless. Thank God Nicole gave me that ring to remind me that I’m not yet ready to date, because if I didn’t have it, I might’ve done something stupid … like give this guy my number.
… But I was pretty sure he wouldn’t want my number, after I made a fool out of myself next.
Next.
Next!
Someone from behind was shouting, but I was too smitten to even notice.
“I said,NEXT!”
Jack pointed at the food truck. “He means you.”
I turned around and gasped. Where had the line gone? How much time had passed with me just staring at this hunk like a fool? I didn’t know, but the food truck worker clearly looked annoyed with me.
I hurried up to the window, apologized profusely, and placed an order for Mackenzie’s chicken nuggets and fries, and an iced coffee for myself.
“That’ll be fourteen ninety-seven,” the surly teenager said.
I pulled out my purse and opened my wallet … only to find that it was empty. I’d left my tips in my work pants.
Nooo!I screamed internally.Not now!
“Do you take cards?” I asked.
The teenager rolled his eyes and pointed at the sign right in front of me that read “CASH ONLY.”
Scrambling, I searched the bottom of my purse for cash. But it was a lost cause. Once I’d accepted my fate, I leaned closer to the order window and lowered my voice so hot hockey guy wouldn’t overhear. “I’m sorry—I’m so embarrassed—but I think I left my money at home. I’ll have to come back.”
But hot hockey guy overheard, alright. Jack stepped forward, thrusting a twenty-dollar bill at the teenage employee. “Here. I got it.”
Welp. Kill me now.
“No,” I said, “you don’t have to do that.”
