Page 31 of Heart Check
And then I blink back into the moment, breaking the spell.Dawson, you absolute hoser.
“I don’t mean it in a weird way,” I rush to say. “Just… penguins.”
Her eyes sparkle, and it’s almost enough to make me feel better about what an ass I’m making of myself. “Penguins?” she asks.
“They huddle. For warmth.”
Keep digging, Dawson.
Her mouth twitches like she wants to laugh, and it draws my attention back to that slightly fuller lower lip, the one she bites when she’s concentrating…
“A few weeks ago you were so convinced I was untrustworthy that you tried to get me fired. Sure you want to huddle for warmth with someone like that?”
Yeah, there she is again with that impeccable timing. “Forget about it,” I say.
But she takes a step forward, arms still wrapped around herself. I have to force myself to stay very, very still. Like I’m dealing with a skittish wild animal.
Or a girl who hates hockey players.
“Do you really think it’ll help?” Harper asks.
I shrug. “When the alternative is for sure freezing? Worth a shot.”
“Well.” Harper clears her throat. “We don’t know how long we’re going to be in here…”
I slide to the floor, patting the ground beside me and trying to ignore the weird butterflies in my chest. But Harper just stares at me.
“Would you like an engraved invitation?”
Her mouth twitches again. “I’d accept a Google Calendar invite. I’m mostly paperless these days.”
She takes another tentative step toward me before collapsing in one graceless heap. Yeah, not an athlete.
I hold my breath as she leans into my side. Lift an arm and wrap it around her. Rest it there, barely exerting any pressure, waiting for her to relax into me.
Somehow we fit together so naturally—my arm around her shoulders, her curves pressed into my side. My hand rests on her arm, which feels a little more intimate than I planned, like we’re watching a movie together and I just pulled the corniest trick in the book. I rub my hand up and down to try to generate some warmth, but that only makes me hyperaware of how soft her skin is. And there’s some sort of perfume at the nape of her neck. Subtle. Just for the lucky guy who gets close enough.
Eventually I have to clear my throat and break the silence,or I’m afraid I might… I’m not sure what I’m afraid of. But if this moment stretches out any longer, whatever I do won’t be anything smart.
“I really am sorry about your business,” I blurt. “The reviews and everything. I get what it means to you.” She doesn’t say anything, so I take a deep breath and hurtle forward. “I can relate, okay? I need a hockey scholarship for college. You know my grades aren’t the best.”
She shifts uncomfortably. “I didn’t know that. I mean, I knew about the grades, but—not that you wanted to leave Hamilton Lakes.”
“Yeah, well, now you do.” I clear my throat. “I just want you to know I’d never jeopardize someone else’s chances to get out and do what they want. I know you don’t trust me, but I swear. I wouldn’t lie about something like this.”
Harper turns to study me, eyes flicking across my face as if trying to make sure I’m being honest. Her face tilted up to mine makes me catch my breath. With her pressed into my side like this, I can feel her heart pounding.
She bites her bottom lip like she does when she’s concentrating, and I can’t look away. If I were trapped with any other girl—if she were this close to me, looking at me like this—
Well, I’d think she wanted me to kiss her.
Maybe I’m imagining it, but I think Harper’s pulse speeds up. Maybe shedoeswant me to kiss her.
I lean in, just a little. If we’re going to die from hypothermia, there’s no way for the embarrassment to get me if I’m misreading the moment. Her eyes, wide and green, lock on mine and her breath catches. I wonder if those pink lips are as soft as they look—
Our heads jerk up at the loud desuctioning of the door. Sam and Alex stand there, gaping at Harper and I cuddled together on the floor.
“Um. Ryan sent us for ice?”
