Despite myself, I laugh.
“Okay,Fine. You were exceptional. Happy?
I can imagine him smiling on the other end.“Extremely. Did you see my goal?
“Yes. That was impressive too. Well done.”
“I’m bringing the puck home. I’m going to put it up in my stall. I’m going to write on it in silver marker, “Katerina says I’m impressive,” and leave it up there for the guys all to see.
I pull my blankets up to my mouth as if to hide my smile, though he can’t see it.“You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re smiling, though. I can tell.”
I pause for a moment, wondering if I should just come out and admit it.“How could you possibly tell? You’re in Calgary.”
“Maybe I can hear it through the phone. Or I just have this feeling that you’re starting to like me.”
He’s not wrong. I shake my head, biting back another smile.
“Did your single Kit Kat candy bar superstition help tonight?”
“It did. Oh wait…” he says. “I got it.”
“Got what?” I ask, curious about what realization he just came to.
“Your nickname. We need one. And since you’re my new lucky charm, it works.”
“Oh God… Do I even want to know?” But I absolutely do because the idea that Scottie just came up with a nickname for me has me a little giddy, like this is a schoolgirl crush.
“KitKat… I can’t call you Kat like everyone else. Too boring. And this is symbolic.”
I hate that my cheeks hurt from smiling so big after he named me after a candy bar he eats before going out on the ice, but I do.
“You’re naming me after a sugary chocolate treat?”
“I’m calling you my good luck charm.”
I know I’m in too much trouble—my heart's in too deep to let this conversation continue. I might admit something that I’m not ready to, but Scottie is more than I could have imagined when my brother convinced me to move to Seattle just because he told me to.
“I don’t know if I would go as far as to say, good luck charm,” I say, and then a yawn pushes past my lips. “I do… but you’re tired. I should let you get some rest.” “Okay.Goodnight, Scottie.”
“Sweet dreams,KitKat. Sleep well.”
When I set my phone down, the smile lingers.
This is dangerous, the way he makes room for me in his day without making a big deal of it.
But I can’t pretend that I don’t love it… not tonight.
The next morning, I wake to the sound of my phone buzzing.
Scottie:So I’ve been thinking.
Oh no.
Me:Are you sure you should be doing that?
Scottie:You can’t kill my sparkle no matter how hard you try, KitKat. Anyway, my cousin’s wedding is in Montana in two days, between my games. You’re still coming with me, right?
