Page 25 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan

"Ooh, he kind of looks like a younger Idris Elba," she says.

"Yeah, he's cute. I mean, not as cute as—" I pause.

“Who?”

"Tyler Kane…”

She gasps. "Did you say what I think you just said?"

"No! No, of course not. I was just joking," I say quickly, my face going deep red.

"Oh my gosh. I am absolutely crazy."

"I don't know about crazy, but you literally just said that none of them are as cute as Tyler. But you're not into Tyler."

"I'm not into him. I just?—"

“Oh my gosh, I think he’s cute. Should I go on a date with him?”

“Has he asked you on a date?” Sabrina asked.

“No. Of course, he hasn’t asked me on a date. You would know if he’d asked me on a date.”

“So then why are you asking me if you should go on a date with him?”

“I mean, I’m sure I could make a date happen,” I say, grinning at her. “Do you not think I could make a date happen?”

“Girl, you can make anything you want happen. But what would be the purpose of it? Wes would not be happy.”

“I’m not going to live my life by what my brother wants. If he could put me in a nunnery for the rest of my life, he would.”

She giggles. “He has always been overprotective of you. And I mean, he was overprotective of me, as well.”

“Yeah, but that’s because he was in love with you,” I said. “He just wants me to be his little baby sister forever. Well, I’ve got news for him. I’m a woman, and I am going to find myself a man.”

“And is that man Tyler Kane?” she asks.

“I don’t know. I mean, no, of course not. Do you think I should get his number?” I ask her, and she bursts out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“I mean, are you into this dude or not? Because why are you asking for his number?”

“I don’t know. I guess one part of me is like he’s cute and kind of funny, and even though he’s obnoxious and annoying, he’s still caring. I appreciated how he stuck up for me with Elliott. And while he’s very sexy and maybe he’d be fun to mess around with, the other part of me is looking for my soulmate. I want someone that I’m going to connect with, who I’m going to fall deeply in love with, and who will fall deeply in love with me, and we’re just going to have that moment. It’s going to be like a fairy tale. I don’t want to miss out on that guy because I’m messing around with Tyler.”

“Yeah,” she says. “That’s true. And you’re sure he’s not interested in any sort of serious relationships?”

“Girl, you’ve most probably spent more time with him than I have. What do you think?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t seem the sort to be looking for anyone serious.” She nods. “But maybe?—”

“What?”

“Maybe he will change his mind one day.”

“I’m not waiting for the one day that he changes his mind and begins looking for someone. Anyway, I forgot to tell you that I went through the first episode, and I think we’re ready to launch it next week.”

“Oh my gosh, really?” Sabrina sounds as excited as I feel.