Page 109 of Her Goal
“Because I like you. The way you look, the way you smell, the way you sound. I enjoy watching you skate. Making you laugh is epic. There’s so much I want to know about you, I lie in bed at night wondering how you’ll answer my questions.”
“Like my favorite color?”
“Sure. But also about Happy Hockey Days and the museum. If you’re like a kid on Christmas morning. Whether you prefer to go out or stay in on New Year’s. How you like to celebrate your birthday. Your favorite foods, outfit, all of it.”
“My favorite color is pink, like the figure skating costume I wore at my last competition.”
“I like the way you surprise me.”
“What’s your favorite color?” she asks.
“The exact shade of your eyes.”
She whacks my arm. “Stop teasing me.”
“I’m not.”
Our gazes graze and then drift before meeting again as if our connection is inevitable.
She whispers, “Isn’t this soon? I mean, we haven’t kissed yet.”
Even in the near dark, I can see the pink that shades her cheeks and it competes with her favorite color.
“We could do something about that.”
She can hardly suppress her smile. It’s adorable. “You said when I’m ready I know where to find you.”
That must mean she’s not ready. She’s not sure and I know why. It’s because of me. She doesn’t fully trust me because I’m Hunter’s brother. I can fix that. I’ll prove to her that not only am I not the same as my twin, I’m also not the same stupid teenager she used to know.
Headlights shine in the driveway, making the ring that I’m still holding in the open box shimmer. Spirits dipping, I snap it closed.
“Looks like Grady is here.”
I don’t imagine that rejection is a flattering or confidence-building look, so I hastily meet my teammate and get the key. “Thanks, bro.”
“Don’t mention it. But you owe me.”
My chuckle is halfhearted even though I sincerely appreciate the new friends I have on the team, at least one of whom will drop what he’s doing to help me. “Hang tight while I unlock the door and then I’ll bring it back to you.”
“Let’s not do this again. The unspoken rule when you have someone keep your house key is that they never have to turn in the favor.”
I unlock the door and Leah slips into the house.
When I return to Grady, waiting in the truck, he asks, “Was that the future Mrs. Robo? Are you having a quiet dinner at home as you war game the big day?”
“Something like that.”
We say a quick goodbye and my stride sags as I head inside. I’m glad I opted to propose to her at home rather than in a public place. It wasn’t the outcome I’d hoped for.
Leah’s posture is closed as she fidgets with a loose string on her sweater.
“Come on in. Make yourself at home.”
“It’s so tidy. How do you stay organized and clutter-free?” She lets out a long, relaxed breath.
That’s her takeaway from the low lighting, the tinkling music in the background, and the meal waiting on the table? Maybe the slightly burned scent of bread is a distraction. I hastily remove it from the oven, playing hot potato as I toss it from palm to palm.
I say, “I think if we remove the outer layer, it’ll be edible.”
