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I give him a serious nod and take another drink, trying to quiet down the questions floating around in my head. The ones asking if he will actually show up.
But no. I promised him my ass, so… he’ll be here. And if he doesn’t, well, I have some chocolate chips ready to roll.
And with that thought, he walks into the bar.
I watch him as his gaze slides over the space, until it lands on me. Then he walks over and pulls out a chair beside me at our table. He nods to me and looks at Dan. “Hey.”
“Hi, I’m Dan.” Dan holds out a hand with a smile.
Ty reaches across the table to shake it. “Ty.”
He then glances at me awkwardly and shifts in his seat.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“So, Luca says you train together,” Dan says, crossing his arms on the table and smiling between me and Ty.
Ty just nods. “Yeah.”
Dan nods as well, glancing at me. “Cool.”
I don’t say anything, leaning back in my chair and waiting to see what happens.
“Um,” Ty shifts in his seat again, looking like he wants to crawl right out of his skin, “and you… work together…?”
Oh my god. Ty and small talk. I feel like I should record this.
I chuckle and nod, leaning forward so I can save him and keep him from bolting out of the bar. “Dan teaches grade two and is a sick forward on our hockey team.”
Ty nods, shifting his gaze between me and Dan. It’s obvious he has no idea how to do this, so clearly, I’ll have to help him out here.
But he’s saved from his next attempt at small talk, as the waitress appears at our table. “Can I get you a drink?” she asks Ty.
Before his mouth even opens, I jump in. “He’ll have an IPA.”
Ty shoots me a look and I smile.
“Coming up.” The waitress smiles and heads off to retrieve his beer.
He is still glaring at me, so I roll my eyes. “I know you were about to say no because of training, but come on, dude. It’s one night, just enjoy yourself.” I pause for a moment, staring back at him. “Tell me you really don’t want it.”
He sighs, breaking eye contact with me and shaking his head slightly.
Bingo. Knew it.
Dan chuckles. “So, Ty, how do you like St. Louis?”
“It’s good.” Ty nods. “Still getting used to a big city.”
“Yeah, I hear you.” Dan smiles. “I’m from outside the city so it took some time to adjust to the size and how busy everything is. The trick is finding some quiet spaces to go to when you need to get away from it all.”
“Like stargazing,” I say, smirking at him as I lift my beer to take a drink.
Ty’s gaze slides to me, and I see a small twitch at the corner of his lips.
The waitress arrives and sets his beer in front of him, so I hold mine up for a cheers.
“To small town folk in big cities and tigers leaving their caves.”
