Page 3 of Hockey Halloween
Willa’s eyes light up. “Now that’s adorable. I have an older brother who’s too nice to tease me.”
“Good to know. Guess what those two did last week?”
“It could be anything. I know how vicious teen girls can be.”
“They Photoshopped my face onto a freaking garden gnome and made it their phone wallpaper.”
She smiles, the expression warm and unrestrained. “That’s love right there.”
“I would call it targeted sibling bullying, but close enough.”
“Alright, your turn to pry. Ask me something beyond the basics.”
Not sure what else to ask, I start with an easy question. “Are you more of a homebody or a party animal?”
Her expression turns thoughtful. “Hmm. People assume I’m really outgoing, but in all honesty, I hate small talk. I’d rather have one deep, weird conversation than twenty shallow ones.”
“That explains why you led with bisexual awakenings and ancient curses.”
She giggles, the sound music to my ears. “Exactly. Go big or go home.”
“What if I’d answered wrong aboutThe Mummy?”
“Then I would've ghosted you.”
Her pun makes me chuckle, but I still act hurt, lifting my palm to my chest. “Ruthless.”
“Effective,” she fires back, lifting her glass. “But you passed the test.”
The smile on her tempting glossy lips grows as her hypnotizing gaze lingers on mine. There’s a growing spark between us, humming beneath the surface. Our banter is surprisingly fun, too. For the first time tonight, I’m not itching to leave or counting the hours until we fly to California. I’m just here, in the moment, talking with a mesmerizing woman who makes tonight bearable.
And honestly? I’m okay with that. More than okay.
Willa
The moment this fascinating stranger in front of me introduced himself as Nolan, I knew he wasn’t my blind date. But it didn’t stop me from continuing our conversation.
Because let’s be real: the man is gorgeous. He’s tall, maybe six-two or six-three, all lean muscles and charisma. His deep blue eyes, dimples when he smiles, and stubble are other things I find extremely attractive. Not to forget that laugh. Oh, that unrestrained laugh. It bursts from him, rough around the edges. Almost as if he doesn’t do it too often.
The draw to him is about more than the looks. There’s a quiet confidence about him, a subtle charm that feels genuine. He’s not trying too hard like many men I have dated in the past. He doesn’t need to. He’s the kind of guy who could blend into the background if he wanted to. The moment he focuses on you, it feels like you’re the only person in the world. Right now, all of that focus is on me.
“Okay, be honest,” he flashes his dimples as he grins, “did you dress as a mummy because you love ancient history or because it was an easy costume?”
“Can’t it be both? I’m a historian, so dressing as a mummy seemed appropriate.”
His eyebrows shoot up with genuine interest sparking in his eyes. “A historian? That’s so cool. Which period of history?”
I love how he knows to ask that. Not everyone does. “Primarily U.S. history during the interwar period, from 1918 to 1939, so the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. Lately, though, I’ve been diving deep into the history of New York City since the late 1800s. I spend most of my days surrounded by old letters, newspaper clippings, and black-and-white photos.” I take a sip of my drink, letting the warm bittersweet flavor settle on my tongue. “Looking back, ancient Egypt and that area in general have always been my side obsession. I mean, who can resist the allure of pharaohs, curses, and lost tombs?”
“I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s the coolest thing I’ve heard all year. I love history myself.” His brows lift in excitement, making him more endearing if possible. “There’s something magic about the idea of piecing together the past. You’re preserving people’s stories so they aren’t forgotten.”
“Exactly. That’s why I love doing what I do for a living.”
“So, what does your job entail?”
“I work as a historical consultant for museums around the country. These days, my apartment feels more like an archive than a living space. The way you described it fits perfectly. I love putting together stories and uncovering the evidence that links a person’s life to a moment in time. It’s detective work, only without the danger.”
“Now that’s my kind of mystery. Do you live here in the City?”
