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“Whatever is near us.”
“Audrey.” His tone changed. He was more serious.
I frowned but met his penetrating stare. The colors of his eyes clashed with the sky around us, but they were easy to get lost in. Way too easy. “What?”
“When was the last time you went on a date? Did you pick a spot or just say whatever is near?”
“I don’t date, Theo.” My face heated, and my insides tightened. He was super experienced, obviously. With his looks and hockey status, he probably dated all the time.
I just never had time. It was always working, saving money, helping Quentin, keeping my academic scholarship. Dating didn’t fit that mold, and yeah, I’d missed out on a lot of moments. I never had the big kiss-in the-rain scene or the hot date to prom or losing my virginity or falling in love. But I took care of my family the best I could. Even if I didn’t like them much right now.
I was too busy, too focused on surviving, that any relationship, or attraction, fell to the wayside. “No time.”
“Hm, I call?—”
“Ice cream. I want ice cream,” I blurted out. I couldn’t be sure if I wanted to stop the dating conversation or if I really craved ice cream. It had been so long since someone asked what I wanted that I’d forgotten how to answer. How pathetic. “Mint chocolate chip. In a waffle bowl with sprinkles.”
“Whoa, settle down there, party animal. Sprinkles? Don’t go too wild.”
He was teasing me, but by the warmth and kindness in his voice, I didn’t mind. If anything, my lips quirked slightly as I glanced at him.
“Saw that, Audi. Saw your little smile. That’s a point to me.”
6
Theo
Audrey sucked the spoon in her mouth, her round, full lips covering the utensil like she was on some OnlyFans account. The thing was, she wasn’t trying to be sexy. She had some ice cream on her chin and a trail of drops on the table, yet watching her relax was intoxicating to the point I wondered if I was all right myself.
She was makeup-less, wore scrubs, had her hair pulled back tight and yet she looked good. Good enough to question why I was so adamant about keeping her at a distance. Besides the whole brother thing. That was clear. I didn’t need a reminder about that because when I thought about her punk ass brother for more than a second, I wanted to walk away from any friendship with her.
“I can’t believe you convinced me to do this. It’s been years since I’ve eaten here and had this.” She held up her large waffle cone as her large jade eyes softened. Her entire face shifted from that gesture, and I liked it.
Audrey was tough, but when her gaze went all warm like that, she was stunning. Her button nose scrunched a bit, and her almost too large green eyes stood out even more. Her face was smooth, and I had the weirdest urge to run a finger down it. My chest warmed as I stared at her, and I took a small bite from my one-scoop cone. She called me basic getting vanilla, but I argued it was a classic. A staple. Dependable.
“Well, what I think I hear you saying is thank you. So, you’re welcome.” I held up my spoon, and she clinked her spoon. Holy shit, that was the cutest thing.
She smiled. It was brief, like a flash of lightning, but shit. Audrey had a killer grin. I’d only seen it twice, ever, but it was memorable. “Thank you,” she said, her voice dropping an octave. “For the ice cream and for pulling me out of my head.”
“Care to share where you went?” I took another bite and ignored the urge to not enjoy the sweets. With training and the season starting in a month, I shouldn’t go off the meal plan, but I was weak when it came to desserts. I had no restraint. They were the way to my heart and soul. I could decline any other vice, but ice cream was the worst. I’d eat an entire pint in one sitting if I had the option. Probably two of them.
Audrey stared off toward the window of the ice cream shop, her gaze unfocused. “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse to help others, but it hit me today how dangerous it could be. How much our choices, and our decisions matter. We have to know every routine and step and make tough calls within half a second.” She gulped.
I understood that look. My stomach twisted with worry that there was more to her than met the eye. No one carried the weight of the world on their shoulders without a reason. Audrey and I might have that in common.
“I can’t be the reason someone doesn’t go home to their family.” She took another bite, her eyes returning to normal. “I don’t feel prepared enough. I need to study more, read more. I could call previous students?—”
“Hey.” I covered her hand with my free one. She sucked in a breath and stared at our connection with wide eyes. She’d reacted that way every time we’d touched. “We’re not going to be the reason. Not right now, not our first year. These places have protocols in place so new and inexperienced staff are never on their own.”
“I can’t mess up. I refuse to. I had a bad experience when I was a kid.” She let the words trail before her eyes widened, and she shook her head. “I’ve worked so hard for this, to fulfill my dream, and I’m worried. Isn’t that stupid?” She rubbed her fingers over her forehead so hard there were little indents there.
“Then do it nervous.” I kept my palm on the top of her hand, enjoying the softness of her skin. It was nice holding someone else, even if the person hated me and was pricklier than a cactus. “I’m sorry about whatever you went through. I want to ask questions but also respect your wishes. Someday, I might tell you about my family too.”
“Like why you care for your siblings?”
I nodded. “But that would require us being friends, and you told me that won’t happen.”
She chewed her lip, a frown line appearing between her brows, and I regretted my dry joke. I nudged her knee with mine, getting her to look at me again. “That was a joke, Auds. We can form a truce even without being friends.”
