After a beat, his smile returns and so do the flutters in my belly.
“I’m Travis.” He starts to extend a hand then chuckles softly. “Can I give you a hand?”
“This is all of it. I’m Hannah.”
“Nice to meet you, Hannah.”
What is it about a man saying your name that makes him instantly more attractive? Not that this guy needs any help. I tend to be more attracted to guys in suits or corporate garb since I spend my days in gym clothes and surrounded by men in the same. It’s like wanting what you don’t have, I suppose. Womenwith straight hair want curly and vice versa. Though every time I’ve had my hair professionally done for an event, I’ve hated the big curls. I was not meant for big hair.
“Yeah, you too.”
“If you need anything while you’re staying here, let me know. I’m around in the late afternoons, some evenings.”
“I appreciate that.” Though I may not be here long enough to take him up on the offer. Without the Meyer sponsorship, I’m screwed.
“Let me get the door for you.” He walks with me as I start toward the house.
“Thanks.” Maybe my day is about to turn around. Online dating has been a bust and my schedule makes going out to bars or restaurants next to impossible. I thought the only way I was going to meet a nice, good-looking guy in Montana was to pay a matchmaker, and yes, I did look into it but quickly decided I couldn’t afford it.
The reminder of my finances has my chest tightening again. I really hope Everly is working her magic.
“What do you do, Travis?” I try out his name. I like it and instantly wonder if he likes the way I say it the same way I had him saying mine.
“I’m a hockey player. I play with the local pro team here.”
“Oh.” He’s the second guy I’ve met since I moved here that plays for Moonshot. I can’t remember the other’s name. Nate? No. Noah? No. That doesn’t sound right either. “That’s cool.”
“You?”
“I’m here training at Premier. I’m a gymnast.”
“No way?” The corners of his mouth pull higher.
We reach the front door, and he pushes it open for me.
“Yes way.” I drop the box in the entryway and turn back to face him. He lingers just outside.
“That’s rad. I want to hear all about it.”
The eagerness in his reply should be a turn-off, but he seems so genuinely excited that it has the opposite effect.
“Okay.”
“How about Saturday night?”
This might be a record for a guy meeting me and asking me out. Is that a red flag? I might need to ask my friends, but in the meantime…
“Yeah. I can do Saturday, but it’ll have to be early. I eat with the senior citizens so I can get up early for training.”
His smile is lopsided and totally endearing. “I love early dinner. How’s five?”
My head spins a little, like maybe I should take five minutes to think this over, but he’s standing there smiling at me like he can’t think of a single thing he’d like to do more than have dinner with me. It’s intoxicating. I nod.
“Perfect. I can’t wait.” His gaze lifts from me as if taking in the house behind me and his smile falters. I hadn’t realized how intently focused he was on me but as soon as his attention roams, I miss it. “Does this place have an alarm system?”
The change in topic throws me and it takes me a few seconds to process and answer his question.
“No, I don’t think so. The doorbell has a camera though.”
