"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Do you believe in signs? Like, the universe telling you you're on the right path?"
Jake smiled. "My grandmother—my mom's mom—used to say that when you meet someone who makes you want to be better,that's the universe's way of saying pay attention. That you should hold onto those people because they're rare."
"And? Do you believe that?"
"I'm starting to."
Lucy took a breath, gathering her courage. "I make you want to be better?"
"You make me want to be present. To stop running and start building. To remember why I loved hockey in the first place and figure out what else I might love too." Jake's hand was still on her cheek, warm and steady. "You make me want to stay."
"Good," Lucy whispered. "Because I want you to stay too."
Jake leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. But Lucy didn't want to pull away. She wanted this—wanted him—with a clarity that was almost frightening.
Their lips met softly, tentatively. A question and an answer. A promise and a beginning.
When they pulled apart, Jake was smiling. "So. Tomorrow night. Actual date. Where should we go?"
"Mac's Tavern is the only real restaurant in town."
"We just had team dinner there Friday."
"True. There's also Giuseppe's, but their pasta is weirdly sweet and Uncle Walter knows the owner so it would be a whole thing."
"What about this?" Jake gestured around the apartment. "I could cook. Or attempt to cook. Fair warning—I'm much better at eating food than making it."
"You want to cook for me?"
"I want to spend time with you. The food is secondary. But yeah, I'd like to try cooking for you. It seems only fair since you've been feeding me for three years."
Lucy's chest felt too full. "Okay. But if you burn down your apartment, I'm not responsible."
"Deal."
They talked for another hour—making plans, sharing stories, slowly building the foundation of something real. By the time Jake left at 4 PM, Lucy felt like she'd known him forever and also like she was just beginning to discover who he was.
At the door, Jake paused. "Thank you. For today. For the muffins. For being honest with me."
"Thank you for bringing coffee beans and making me laugh."
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow."
Jake kissed her one more time—soft and sweet and full of promise—then headed down the stairs into the snowy afternoon.
Lucy closed the door and leaned against it, smiling like an idiot.
Her phone buzzed immediately. Rei, of course.
Rei:UNCLE WALTER JUST CALLED ME
