“And I’m going to win the Olympics. All the Olympics.”
Timmy has a bright future ahead of him.
The woman shifts her attention away from her son. “I don’t want to sound predictable, but would you mind if I asked for an autograph?”
“Not at all,” Kaz says.
The woman rummages through her handbag and pulls out an envelope and a pen. “I’m sorry. This is all I have.” She hands them to Kaz. “I didn’t know I was going to bump into a hockey legend.”
“That’s fine.” He scribbles his name with a flourish and hands her back the paper and pen.
“You made my day.” She takes the items from him. “Heck, you made my year.” She slides them in her handbag. “Do you mind if I ask for a selfie?”
“Sure,” Kaz says.
“Let me.” I hobble over on my skates, walking not unlike a penguin, and extend a hand.
The woman smiles. “You don’t mind?”
“It would be a pleasure.”
She whips out her phone from the pocket of her jeans.
“Your girlfriend is the prettiest girl ever.” Timmy points at me before peering up at Kaz.
Dear Timmy, I’m his fake girlfriend.
“When I’m a hockey player, I’m gonna have thebestestgirlfriend ever, like you.”
“Come on, Timmy.” His mother taps him on his shoulder. “Let’s take a photo. Kaz is spending time with his gorgeous girlfriend, and we’re butting in. We don’t want to abuse his kindness.”
“‘Kay.” Timmy turns to face me and flashes a grin that takes over his face, exposing his missing front teeth. Only kids who grew up in a loving household can smile with such levity. Pure joy radiates off this little boy.
You’re lucky, little man.
His mother stands behind him, her shoulders squared, a smile matching her son’s, stretching her lips.
Kaz flips his baseball cap backward and stares at me.
Why is he frowning?“Kaz, say cheese.”
Timmy tilts his head way back. “You have to says cheese, Kaz. Like this.” He grins wide.
“Like this?” Kaz flashes some teeth.
“Bigger.” Timmy pulls at the corners of his lips with his fingers. “You got to showsallthe teeth.”
“Allthe teeth, uh?” Kaz winks.
Timmy giggles.
“Okay, gang, let’s try that again.” I wave a hand in the air. “Say cheese.”
Kaz flashes a radiant smile at the camera that melts my panties.
Wow.
I take a flurry of photos from different angles. Before handing the woman’s phone back, I grab my phone from my bag. “Do you mind if I Airdrop these photos to my phone? I’m Mr. Lindström’s social manager, and these photos would be amazing on his socials, with your permission to use them, of course.”
