Page 70 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

“Move,” Nikolai growled when the doors slip open, but Erik remained in place, blocking all of us from entering.

“Not until Lance tells us what’s going on.”

“He’s got a date,” Jake called from behind the guys. He was waiting with Grant and Colin for the rest of us to get out of the way.

“With who?” Wyatt asked.

More and more of the team joined the roadblock and whispers faded to the back about what was going on. Soon, all eyes were on me as they waited for the answer.

Crap. I had a strong feeling Jess wouldn’t appreciate this. She stayed out of the gossip and drama, and this was going to be a huge bomb if I admitted the truth.

I tried to get Jake’s attention, but he was laughing at something Grant said. If I said no one, it could get back to her. Then she would think I was embarrassed or playing some game. I wanted to protect her privacy, but was that even a real thing with this group? If I didn’t tell them, they would just follow me and find the information they wanted.

“I’m going to lunch with Jessica,” I said so only the first row of my audience could hear.

Wyatt’s bros shot up, and Erik let out a slow whistle.

“It’s about time,” Nikolai mumbled then pushed Erik aside so he could leave.

That was it? That was the reaction? I watched the rest of the guys pile into the elevator, waiting for more. At least some harassment, but they just gave a nod or smile before the doors shut and I was left alone with Jake.

“I’m glad she said yes,” he admitted.

I let out a chuckle. “Yeah, me too.”

Thanks to that diversion, I had just enough time to go home and change before picking Jess up. Showing up in my warm-ups would have been fine. She’d seen me in them a million times, but I wanted to make an effort for her.

I changed into jeans and a long-sleeved henley, before pulling on my coat, and headed back to the parking garage under my townhouse. My heart began racing when I was within a few blocks of her office. This was really happening. Our first date. I didn’t want to put pressure on us or this one lunch.

When I parked on the street, I gave myself twenty seconds to take a few calming breaths before getting out. There was no reason to be nervous. This was Jess. We were friends. Kind of. More like acquaintances, but I was trying to move past that, and she seemed to want that too.

“Hey, Lance!” Dani greeted me as I stepped inside. She was sitting at the couch, leaned over a spread of papers on the coffee table before her.

“What are you doing?” I tried to make sense of all the images, but nothing looked like it went together.

“Coming up with design ideas for a wedding in March.” She sounded distracted, and I took a step away just as Jess appeared.

“Hey, I thought I heard you.” Her smile made my heart swell.

She looked beautiful in a black dress with a fitted plaid blazer and combat boots. The combination was unexpected, but it was perfect for her. A little sassy with her polished, professional look. Her hair was swept over her shoulder in a braid, and I had the urge to reach out and touch her.

“Are you ready?” I could hear the nerves in my voice and tried to quietly clear my throat.

“Yeah.” She picked up her purse off her desk and crossed the room. “See you later, Dani.”

Dani waved over her shoulder but didn’t take her eyes off her work.

I opened the door and held it as Jess walked out. Her sugary vanilla scent hit me, and I nearly leaned in after her.

“So where were you thinking?” She asked as she walked to my car.

“I was thinking Sprout for soup and sandwiches, but if you’re craving something else, I’m open to ideas.” I hurried to open the passenger door for her and watched as she settled in before closing it and making my way around to the driver’s side.

“That sounds perfect. Their tomato basil soup is my favorite. I went there once a week last winter because it reminded me of home for some reason.”

Well then, that was a plus for me. I didn’t know she liked that restaurant so much, but I knew she and Dani went there a few times a month.

“Where is home?” I couldn’t believe I didn’t know that about her.