Page 30 of Dating Goals
The Jass players are collecting their things, still chuckling among themselves.
“We’ll leave you to your nursing duties,” Colin says with an exaggerated wink that earns him a glare from Anika.
“Thanks for the cash, McGregor,” Lars adds, patting his pocket where my money now resides.
They head for the door, leaving a stack of bills on the table as a tip that’s suspiciously close to what they won from me tonight.
“Tschüss!” they call in unison, and then they’re gone, their off-key singing fading as they head down the street.
I’m alone with Anika, who’s still gently cleaning the cut on my eyebrow, her face inches from mine. Up close, I can see flecks of gold in her blue eyes that I never noticed before.
“That was…” I shake my head, searching for words. “Amazing. Terrifying. Incredibly hot.”
The corner of Anika’s mouth quirks up. “Are you drunk?”
“No,” I say, then reconsider. “Maybe a little. But I’d think that was hot sober too.”
She applies a butterfly bandage to my cut, her fingers surprisingly gentle for someone who just took down two men twice her size.
She steps back, examining her work. “This will bruise, but you’ll live.”
“Thanks,” I say, reaching up to touch the bandage. Our eyes meet, and there’s a charged moment of silence.
“That was stupid, you know,” she finally says. “Getting involved.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “But I’d do it again.”
Anika studies me, her expression unreadable. Then she starts packing up the first aid kit. “You hockey players.” She huffs. “Always looking for a fight.”
“I still have all my original teeth,” I say with a big grin.
She doesn’t seem impressed.
The bar suddenly feels too warm as Anika finishes packing up the first aid kit. I resist the urge to touch the butterfly bandage she’s placed on my forehead.
“Did you walk all the way from your cabin again?” she asks, studying me for a moment, seemingly weighing her options. “I can give you a ride home. Just this once,” she addsquickly. “Since you’re injured and…” She gestures at the glasses. “Probably shouldn’t drive anyway.”
“Thanks, but my car’s parked at the edge of the pedestrian zone.” I nod toward the door. “I’m fine to drive, I swear. That little…” I gesture vaguely at my face. “…situation sobered me right up.”
She doesn’t look entirely convinced but nods slowly. “I’ll walk you to your car after I close up.”
I’m about to tell her that’s not necessary, that I can manage just fine, but the words die in my throat. Five more minutes with Anika? Yeah, I’m not turning that down.
“Thanks,” I say instead. “I’d appreciate that.”
Anika moves around the bar, doing a quick job of closing down. I can tell she’s leaving some tasks for morning, probably because I’m just sitting here watching her like an idiot. I should offer to help, but the last time I tried, I was unceremoniously kicked out.
“Ready?” she asks finally, pulling on a light jacket and grabbing her keys.
I nod, following her to the door. She locks up, giving the handle a quick tug to make sure it’s secure, then starts walking. I fall into step beside her.
The night air is crisp and clean, the kind that fills your lungs and makes you feel more alive. Stars blanket the sky above us, impossibly bright away from city lights. So different from Toronto. I’m hyperaware of Anika’s presence beside me. The faint scent of her shampoo, the rhythm of her breathing.
“So, Wing Chun, huh?” I break the comfortable silence.
She glances at me, a small smile playing at her lips. “Since I was ten.”
“That explains a lot.” I can’t stop grinning. “Seriously, that was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen. The way you handled those guys.”
