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“I—uh—no.”
“Great, then maybe you can let me treat you to dinner, seeing as you’re a local hero and all. What do you say?”
Terence looks at me and back to Kasia. “Sure, great.”
“Fantastic. Let’s do it. I’ll find a place where you can bring the dog.”
“Sounds ideal.”
She pulls out her phone and types something in, then passes it to Terence. “Put your number in there. I’ve added you under H.”
“H?” Terence takes the phone.
“For Handsome Hero.”
Terence smiles and blushes and looks uncomfortable and flattered all at once.
This is going terribly.
Terence hands back the phone, and Kasia raises it in the air. “Gotcha, handsome hero. Looking forward to Friday!” And with that, she marches out, taking all the air with her. Or so says my lungs.
“That was unexpected.” Terence chuckles.
“Yep.”
There’s no transition for me now. No way I can talk about the feeling that has been bubbling up in me. Not now that he’s going out with stupid Kasia tomorrow. Who does that? Who walks in and asks a guy out for a date when his best friend is trying to open her heart to him?
All right, I can’t blame Kasia for all that. Still.
Terence follows Kasia’s sleek figure as she struts across the street. “Who is she exactly?”
“Roller derby.”
“She was in roller derby with you? Huh, I don’t remember seeing her. But I guess she was hidden behind a helmet and various knee and wrist guards.”
“Yep.” I spin my glass of water, splashing it all over the table. “Shoot.”
“Alli-bear. Ever the cute klutz.”
So much for that deep conversation. I remember now that he was in the middle of digging into me about being flighty when Kasia showed up.
Terence’s voice softens. I know he can tell my disposition has changed. “I’ll walk you home.”
“It’s okay, I have my bike.”
Long pause.
“Is everything okay, Alli?”
I stare at my water. “Yep. Just feeling tired.”
“Okay.”
Long pause.
“I’ll get the bill, my treat. My way of saying thanks for letting me share the good news from today with you.”
I take a deep breath. Terence’s good news. And I didn’t let him celebrate, not properly. I lift my glass. “To the Dog’s Paw’s soon-to-be mountain rescue service. Many a saved soul will thank you.”
