Which my mom would hate. As much as she appreciated what living with the Chens allowed me to do, she didn’t like sharing the credit for my ascent.
Zoey shook her head. “They worry about the language barrier. My mom thinks her English is terrible.”
“Are you serious? Your mom quoted a Shakespeare sonnet to me. I think her English is better than mine,” Ben said.
“Not happening, but obviouslyI’dbe thrilled to participate,” she countered with a wink.
“That’s already a given,” Ben replied. “I’m gonna sneak you in for an interview at some point.”
“What about Friday night? We’re having our annual showcase, so you could get some footage of me skating.”
I laughed softly. Not only was Zoey an incredible athlete, her marketing instincts left mine in the dust. She was keenly aware of how to turn a throwaway moment into her chance to shine, and I loved her for it.
Ben watched me out of the corner of his eye. “I’ll check in with Neil and Hailey to make sure they can do after hours, but no matter what I’d love to come. Are you going, Quinn?”
I nodded. “Yup, the showcase is a big deal at the rink, plus it’s adorable watching all the beginner skaters.”
“Okay, I guess it’s a date, then,” he replied.
I knew it was just an expression, but a lifetime of watching rom-coms lit a sparkler in my chest, despite not having the inclination or bandwidth to evenconsiderdating anyone let alone the man who’d ghosted me when I needed him most.
“Speaking of dating,” Zoey gave him a pointed look. “Let’s get into it. I want the scoop on you, Ben.”
“No,” he groaned. “I’m not going there. I’m begging you.”
That made two of us.
“I just want to get it straight from the source,” she said playfully, skipping along beside him. “Because the whole universe was shipping a reunion with Violetta a few months ago. Is that true?”
He was shaking his head before she finished asking the question. “Nope. And if you swear to keep a secret, I can give you some insider info.”
I tried to pretend that I was more interested in scanning the mountain range in the distance, not in getting the facts about who Ben might be fucking now.
“Ohmygodyes!” Zoey squealed and mimed locking her mouth shut. “Spill the tea.”
Ben craned his neck to look around the neighborhood, like there might be paparazzi hiding out behind the Robertsons’ mailbox. “Okay, this doesn’t leave our little gossip session, got it?”
Zoey nodded while I maintained what I hoped was the right amount of disinterest.
“Violetta and I didn’t date because she’s already dating someone else. From the show.”
“Noway,” Zoey replied, starstruck. “Who? Anatoly? Carlos?”
He shook his head.
“Vasily? Brian?”
Ben shook his head again as Zoey named every male cast member.
“Did he leave the show?”
“Nope, they’re both still part of the cast.”
“But I think I named everyone,” Zoe muttered.
“Is he a she?” I asked, since it didn’t seem like Zoey was going to connect the dots.
He touched one finger to his nose and pointed another at me. “Ding, ding, ding.”
