“I don’t mind skating. But hockey never appealed to me. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. So what sports did you play? Or what sports do you play?” He glanced at her before focusing on the road once more. “You look like an athlete.”
“Thanks.” She flushed at the compliment. “I’m big time into basketball. I love it. I played in college. Now I coach at the high school. It’s a lot of fun.”
“You coach? Do you teach as well?”
“Yeah. I teach at our community college. I tutor and coach high school. Jill of all trades.”
He grinned.
She wanted to reach out and touch his lips, to feel his smooth cheek under her palm.
Oy. What the heck is all this needing to touch the guy about?
“So you still haven’t told me where we’re going.”
“I did tell you we’d be doing dinner first. Have you ever been to Rielle’s Bistro?”
She gaped. “Where I broke up with Ben?”
“Our first meet.” He gave a dramatic sigh and laughed. “I’m kidding. Relax. How do you feel about pizza?”
“Now you’re speaking my language.”
To her pleasure, he got them a seat at the new upscale pizza place on the north end of town. Not too expensive, but not Little Caesar’s either. Not that she had a bias against one of her mainstays.
“Get whatever you want,” he said after seating her, like a gentleman. She watched him, bemused at the good-guy act. If it was an act.
“You have pretty nice manners.”
He shrugged. “I was beaten into being good by my dad. Guy’s a monster.” Yet he said that with affection.
She looked over the menu. Then she glanced at him, aware several people in the restaurant were looking at him and whispering. “What are you going to get?”
“A beer that’s not too frilly and a lot of pizza with cheese. Meat, maybe some veggies. I don’t know. But no onions.” He wiggled his brows. “Gotta have nice breath for my babe.”
She snorted. “Dream on.”
“Oh, I have been ever since I saw you.” He sighed and clutched his heart, and dang it all, she liked the guy. “Fair maiden, I am besotted.”
“Who are you calling a maiden?”
“The chick with the hot hands.” His naughty grin had her blushing harder. “Oh yeah. Lots of dreams.”
“Shut up.” She studied her menu then agreed to order a large pizza. Half her toppings, half his.
“So about the other night?—”
“Hi, folks. Ready to order?”
Saved by their server, she ordered salad and a drink.
Damon placed his order, adding their pizza. From the look of him, she wondered if one would be enough.
Their server paused after taking their order, staring at Damon with adoration. “Er, um, Mr. Sinclair? Just wanted to say what a huge fan I am. The Ice Raptors are my team.”
“Call me Damon.” Damon grinned, not at all standoffish with the young man, who didn’t look old enough to drink. “The team is hanging in there. Missing me, I’m sure,” he added with self-deprecating humor. “Colby’s been doing a damn fine job in the cage.”
