Bill shakes his head. “There is nothing you can do that would mess up Noah’s spot on the team. He’s a great hockey player. I’m happy to have him on the team, but that’s honestly so separate fromthis.”
Knowing a line when I hear one, I bite my lip. Sure, he says that now. What happens when I do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing, and things go south?
“You’re a very good woman,” he says. “I can tell by Noah, but not just that. I had an amazing time hanging out with you. We got along well and seemed to have a lot in common. I would really like another chance to get to know you.” He doesn’t smile this time as he holds a serious expression.
Boy, this little closet feels a whole lot smaller now!
It was small before, but it’s like the walls are closing in as I try to find somewhere to fix my gaze. He takes a slow step closer, eyes searching mine.
Surprising myself, I don’t look away. There’s this crazy magnetism that locks our eyes together. My heart’s pounding like it’s trying to claw its way out of my chest.
This is stupid.
This is dangerous.
This isn’t me, to get all swoony eyed for a guy with a cheap line.
And then he leans closer, peering at me with so much intensity my skin burns.
I can’t talk.
I mean, what would I really say in reply to that anyway?Uh, okay, Bill. That sounds neat.Nope.
I’ve never been one who is good at this stuff, and I stare back at him as this invisible force takes over, pulling us closer. I can’t explain what is happening. I’m pretty sure we’re going to kiss this time. It’s all over his face, and his eyelids begin to waver, lowering as he leans closer. I gently part my lips and…
BANG!
The door swings open with a violent push, and light floods in like a spotlight right before Noah bursts in, one leg in the hallway and one leg in the closet with wide, horrified eyes.
“Noah!” I startle as my eyes dart from him to Bill. “What are you—”
Bill and I spring apart like guilty teenagers. My cheeks fire heat, and I step all the way back to the wall, thankful Noah opened the door now, and not three seconds later when Bill and I would have likely been lip-locked.
“You texted me to come get you,” he says. “How on earth did you two get locked in here together?”
Bill chuckles under his breath. I can practically feel the smug radiating off him. “I came in here to get buns.” Bill turns to me. “Your mom got a little claustrophobic and was trying to find an alternate exit to get away from the crowd. She took a wrong turn in here because the door was open, but then she was surprised to see someone in here. At that point, she bumped the door closed, and it locked.”
“That’s messed up.” Noah opens the door wider, motioning to it while looking at Bill. “And I’m pretty sure I broke it when I kicked it in, but I panicked thinking you’d die in there.”
Bill chuckles again, not even giving the lock a second look. “Don’t worry about it. It was likely already faulty.”
Noah waves me forward. “Come on out, Mom. The crowd is thinning a little. I can help you find the exit.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” he says, as he cuts a glance toward Bill. “I’ll get back to the team in just one second.”
Bill nods and waits for Noah and me to walk out first. Once we are down the hall a little, I glance over at him, my heart already swelling with pride. “So how did it feel to sign all those autographs?”
His grin is instant, and he spikes a hand through his hair. “Honestly? Weird, but awesome. Like, I kept thinking someone was going to point at me and say, ‘Don’t get his autograph. He’s not that special.’”
We chuckle together, and I say, “No, that’s not happening. I have a feeling this is only the start of it. You’re sort of a big deal now.”
We reach the end of the hallway, where there’s an exit door right where I had predicted. Noah opens the push-bar door, holding it with one hand, and he teases, “Do I have to help you find your car before you accidentally get into a stranger’s minivan?”
“Oh please,” I scoff, laughing. “I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first parking lot. Besides, it’s not the minivans I like. It’s the white vans that offer free candy and snacks.”
“Not funny.” He shoots me a look as he continues to hold the door. I step through it but turn back, as I soften my facial expression. “Thanks for rescuing me.”
