“The perfect way to make this hockey team work,” I interject. “It’s the fastest, easiest way to get the town to give me a chance. You know it’s true. You’re everybody’s favorite girl next door. Ifyoulove me,everyonewill love me,” I say, repeating my sister’s words.
Nora shakes her head more emphatically. “You can’t say it likethat.”
“Like what?”
“The…lo—love part,” she says, stumbling over the L word. She takes a deep breath. “If you want to pretend that we’re dating…” She takes a breath, then blows it out. Then nods. “Okay, fine. That does make some sense. You’re probably right—” She grimaces slightly when she says that. “If I like you, they’ll all give you a second chance.”
“And if I’m romancing you, being sweet to you, treating you like a princess, they’llloveme,” I say, this idea suddenly seeming like the most brilliant thing I’ve ever heard.
“What doesthatentail exactly?” she asks, looking like dating me might involve eating cockroaches or something.
“Dating me? It means hanging out with mea lot, and…”
Well…shit. What the hell does dating me entail?
Dammit. That’s a good question. In the past, it meant going to dinner, or clubs, maybe a concert, and sex. And yeah…that’s about it.
While I’ll happily take Nora anywhere she wants to go and willhappilyspend hours between the sheets with her—and my certainty there is strong considering I’ve only known her for a couple of hours—I also want to hold her hand while we walk down Main Street. Or something. I frown. Why do I want to dothat? I’ve never walked down a Main Street, or any other street, holding anyone’s hand. I’m clearly filling in shit I’ve seen on TV. What do people in real small towns do on dates?
Otter club. I almost laugh. I don’t think otter club is designed as a date night activity, but…yeah, I’m going to find out what the hell otter club is. For sure.
“And?” she asks, now looking amused by how long it’s taking me to answer the question.
“And whatever you want,” I say. That’s got to be a good answer.
Her expression turns sly. “WhateverI want?”
That might sound playful or sexy from another woman. From Nora Delaune, in Rebel, Louisiana, it sounds a little ominous.
Still, I nod. “Sure.But,” I add. “It also involves holding hands.” I guess I just really want to hold this woman’s hand. “And kissing.” I definitely want to do more of that. “And…”Don’t say sex, I tell myself. “Sitting really close to me whenever we’re together.”
She laughs.Laughs. “Okay.”
Okay. That’s all she says. Just okay. Well, that was easy. Maybe I should have said sex.
She takes a breath. “But…”
I brace myself.
“When you leave, they’ll be upset. You need to know that. They’ll hate you again.”
I don’t like that. But I suppose it makes some sense. This woman is everyone’s favorite. If they’re pissed at me for ducking out of a meet-and-greet with Harley, they’lldefinitelybe mad if I “break up” with Nora.
I nod. “I get it.” I don’t like it, but there’s not really another option. I need them to like menow. Once I’m back in Portland, when I’m not walking into that coffee shop every damned morning, it won’t matter as much.
“They’ll be upset for me, and for themselves, once they really start liking you. So, all along, we say this is acasualdating relationship. We don’t let them get too invested. And we donotcall it love.” She shakes her head. “Especially with Ruth and Harley. They were huge fans before…everything. And they’ll be thrilled to have a reason to cheer for you again. We can’t let them think this is serious and that you’re going to be sticking around and really becoming…”
“A part of the family?” I supply.
She nods. “Yeah. I don’t want them to get their hopes up about this being something real.”
Something in me wants to reject the fact that this wouldn’t be real. But she’s right. It’s temporary, if nothing else.
“So in April, we’ll say I have to go back to Portland and?—”
“That will be enough,” she interjects.
She’s not meeting my gaze now.
