My smile is so wide that my eyes practically squint.
Me: I might be following your lead, as you don’t exactly take no when it’s something you want. And of course I will promise. I will text you the details tomorrow.
Ruth: I’m also bringing my own car.
My grin continues to tug even wider.
That was a yes.
Not a big yes, but a yes.
One thing about me is, I’m good at taking small wins and helping them grow into bigger ones. I don’t know where this is going. Everything in my gut is pulling me closer to her. I must find out why.
fourteen
Ruth
I don’t sleep. I mean, I shut my eyes, but my brain flashes those texts over and over like some sort of weird texting marathon I can’t stop watching.
For the life of me, I can’t fathom why Bill is pursuing me. The dude is a bit of a legend, and not just in Mapleton. He was a phenomenal hockey player back in his day. He could have any woman on his arm.
Now, I’m lying here at 5:12 a.m., mentally inventorying every outfit I own and debating whether it’s weird to wear heels to a non-date. I mean, I’m certainly not dressing up for a snack, because that makes me look like I’m trying.
I’m not trying.
But I don’t want to embarrass myself.
By 6:00, I give up and do the unthinkable.
Don’t do it.
I eye my phone like it’s burning a hole through my nightstand. Clearly, I’m not thinking straight in my overtired state of mind. I snatch the phone, my fingers typing away before I have the willpower to stop them.
I type his name:Bill Baker
And I hold my breath as I wait for Google to find me all the reasons I don’t want to see Bill again. He must have a criminal record. Unpaid parking tickets? Anything to help convince me this is a terrible idea.
Google pulls up a hockey highlight reel.
Okay. That’s assumed since he played professionally. Out of curiosity, I click on it, and I’m instantly transported into an alternate universe where I’m watching him bodycheck someone into the boards.Wow!Uh, I’ve seen that done before, but when he does it, it’s a little… something.
Or maybe alotof something.
It is silly to watch this footage, as it’s almost twenty years old! I click out of it, returning to my search page where there’s an article:"Former NHL Star Turned Investor Acquires New Subdivision."
What? A whole subdivision?
That can’t be right. I keep reading.
Another article:"Bill Baker Donates $1 Million to Children's Hospital."
Okay, so charitable. That’s totally fair. It’s easy to be charitable when you’re rich.
"Former NHL Star Bill Baker Performs Life-Saving CPR and Saves Child’s Life at Public Beach."
WHAT?!
Now I slam my phone down on the bed next to me.
