Page 70 of The One Night Dash
Koa’s pacing like an expectant father. He’s worse during away games.
Claudia
Dash is on fire tonight. Look at this.
A blurry video of the TV screen, him skating up the boards. He’s ridiculously hot.
Nalani
Tell me you’re watching, No-No.
Me
I’m at the Harbor Lighting, remember?
The Bears are still tied, and Dash just logged another shot on goal. My heart kicks like I’m the one skating, not hovering over a public toilet.
Sofie
Your boy’s on fire. What did you do to him?
Puked on him, actually, I think, but clearly don’t send.
I stepout of the pub and in the warm spill of lamplight, my phone ringing with Briar’s face. I answer.
“You own a bookstore?” she blurts, eyes wide, cheeks pink like she’s been caught at something. “I internet-stalked you. Couldn’t help it.”
I laugh. “Guilty as charged. Pembrooke Books.”
“Okay, so, recommend something for me.” She leans in conspiratorially. “The spicier, the better. I’m done with dating for now. I need fictional men only.”
I shake my head, still grinning. “What have you read?”
“Uh … Dash used to read to me when I was little.Harry Potter,Percy Jackson, stuff like that. And, okay, I ate that up. But, like, TBH, I read what was assigned.”
Her voice has that hopeful, shy edge, and I soften.
“Then let’s start you with the classics.”
She tilts her head, curious, and then she suddenly narrows her eyes. “Wait. Are you in Harbor Point right now?”
I blink. “Yeah. My stepdad’s from here. I’ve never lived here, but it seems … nice.”
Her jaw drops. “No way. My dad’sfrou-froufamily was from there. The ones who cut him off when he married beneath him.”
The harbor countdown ends,lights blazing across the water like a thousand fireflies, the crowd cheering as if Harbor Point itself just won something. I clap with everyone else, cider steaming in my mittened hands, but my phone buzzes again, insistent.
I sneak a glance, just one?—
Claudia
Bears win by one!!
Sofie
Guess who dropped a hat trick?
Nalani
