Page 65 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

“Would you like to go with me?” I held back with the other details I’d worked out. First, I wanted her reaction before I told her about double dating with Dani.

She hesitated, but I waited for another breath. I really wanted her to say yes without my spiel about her being in control of the night. I didn’t want to have to convince her. Was it so much to ask for her to simply want to go with me as much as I wanted to go with her?

Yup, flashback to high school emotions once again.

She blinked, and my brain froze when her head dipped, then slowly rose in the most drawn-out nod in human history. Finally, it was like something clicked for her. “Yes, I would.”

All the air in my body rushed out at once in a humiliating sigh.

She laughed and tilted her head. “You came all the way over here to ask me?”

“Yes?”

“You could have just called or texted me.” She was looking at me suspiciously now like I had something else up my sleeve.

“I don’t think that’s the right way to ask out a woman.”

She seemed to think that over before smiling. “I appreciate that.”

I bit my lip to keep my grin in check. “If you want, we can double with Jake and Dani.”

Her eyes flashed to mine. “We don't have to do that.”

I couldn’t remember a time I’d been more surprised. Okay, maybe an hour ago when Jake told me I was the crush.

“Okay.” I sounded way too excited. I cleared my throat and glanced around the room. “Is everything on track? Do you need any help?”

Her tongue ran over her bottom lip while I memorized the movement. “I don’t think so. I’m just putting together the list of the team’s favorite things. Did Taylor reach out to you already?”

I nodded. “I told her it’s Philly Cheesesteaks.”

She let out a burst of laughter before covering her mouth. “Sorry. I just didn’t expect that.”

I stepped back and sat down on the plush velvet couch. “Why’s that?”

She sat on the opposite end, facing me. “You aren’t from Philly.” She was right, but I was surprised she knew that.

“No, but that’s where my dad worked, and some of my best memories growing up were of visiting him in the city and eating them.”

Her eyes flashed with something I couldn’t identify. “How far away were you from him?”

“About two hours in Northern New Jersey.”

She nodded. “So did he commute?”

“No, he stayed there during the week and came home on the weekends,” I explained.

“That must have been hard on you and your mom.”

“It was. Mom had to get me to all my practices and games on her own. By the time I was in high school, it got easier, but I know she was lonely.”

Maybe that was why they ended up being such bitter people. Dad felt he was overworked and underappreciated, and mom felt like an invisible chauffeur.

“Are you going to visit them during your time off?” Her question was innocent enough, but I cringed.

“No.”

Her brows pulled together. “There’s a story there.”