Page 35 of O Goalie Night
He smiles and motions me towards the house. “This is a door-to-door car service,” he jokes.
“That’s really not necessary,” I insist, keeping at least five feet between us as I make my way up the steps. There doesn’t appear to be any lights on in the house and I wonder if Foster has turned in for the night.
He could be out with friends. Or on a date.
I punch the security code into the keypad as I attempt to say goodnight once more to Jacob. “I really appreciate the drive home.”
“Like I said, it was my pleasure.” He stands in front of me, his hands in the pockets of his coat. “We should hang out sometime.”
I open my mouth to respond, but can’t decide on the right thing to say. Jacob takes the opportunity to focus his gaze on my parted lips.
Oh God, he wants to kiss me.
Is this what I look like when my eyes wander to Foster’s mouth?
Jacob leans forward ever so slightly and I’m about to gently break it to him that I’m not interested in him that way when the front door opens. We both turn to gawk at the man who takes up the entire doorway.
“Hey,” Foster says, his eyes sweeping over me as though he wants to make sure I’m in one piece. His gaze softens when it settles on my face and he leans a shoulder on the door frame. “How was the party?”
I stare into his eyes, unable to look away. “Good.” Illuminated by the light of the moon, his skin almost glows. “Are you good?”
There’s a glint in his eyes as he smirks at me. “Yeah. I’m good.”
“Good.”
“Good.” He tears his gaze away from me and looks at my companion who I momentarily had forgotten was there.
“This is my coworker, Jacob,” I offer, lamely. “He gave me a ride.”
Foster nods. “Thanks for getting her home safely.”
Jacob’s eyes bounce between the two of us. It’s obvious that he recognizes him, because of course he does. “Uh…yeah. No…no problem. Um…I’ll see you Monday, Beth.” He looks starstruck as he nods at Foster and then heads down the steps. When he reaches his car, he looks back up at us.
Foster waves at him and Jacob awkwardly waves back before climbing in and driving away.
I watch him go, certain that the anonymity I’ve enjoyed at Stittsville Elementary is leaving with him.
“He seems nice,” Foster says as he moves out of the doorway so I can step in.
I roll my eyes as I push past him, pausing just long enough to slip out of my snow-covered boots on my way to my room.
“What?” He trails behind me down the hall. “Did I saysomething to upset you?”
I turn on my heel and walk back toward him, crowding him in the dim confined space. I’m so frustrated with him that I don’t even allow myself to enjoy his fresh, manly scent. Much.
“Do you remember me saying I didn’t want everyone I work with knowing my brother plays for the Otters?”
“Yes, but?—”
“Well, I don’t particularly want them thinking I’m sleeping with their goalie either.”
His mouth forms that sexy straight line that’s not quite a frown and his jaw flexes.
“Why did you come to the door, Foster?”
He rests his hands on his hips and takes a deep breath. Then another one. He looks up at the ceiling, avoiding my gaze before finally answering. “Because it looked like he was about to kiss you. And, unless I was reading the situation wrong, I didn’t think you wanted him to.”
I cross my arms over my chest, unimpressed. “Why were you reading the situation to begin with? Were you lurking by the door?”
