“Speaking of Saturday, Winnie is coming to the game, right?”
I keep my expression neutral, focus on adjusting my gloves. “Yes. It’s her job. She works for Parks & Rec. Probably has to handle logistics.”
Scotty grunts.
Austin chortles. “Her watching definitely isn’t the reason you want to win.”
“You want her to see you play.” James waves his stick at me as if he’s just figured out the mysteries of the universe.
“I want everyone to see us win.”
Reese skates in a lazy circle around me. “That’s why you asked three times if she confirmed her attendance.”
“I asked once. For scheduling purposes.”
“You asked me,” Austin says.
“And me,” James adds.
“And Mayor Barbie,” Hayes finishes.
Scotty mumbles, “Who told Winnie, by the way.”
I’m going to murder all of them. Slowly. With hockey sticks. Death by a thousand pucks.
Austin slides to a stop in front of me. “So … about the bet. You’re still good on that, right? No arguing with her?”
I grumble. The stupid bet I agreed to in a moment of competitive stupidity. They think I can’t get through the Fireman’s Ball planning without fighting with Winnie. It’s as good as done. I do not plan on taking all the holiday shifts for a year. Not that I have anything else to do.
“I’m not arguing with her,” I say.
“Because you like her,” James sings-songs.
I shoot the puck so hard that it ricochets off the goal post and nearly takes out Reese’s kneecap.
“Or because if there is one thing Patton Cross is afraid of, it’s holiday shifts.” Austin’s tone is ten degrees past sarcasm.
Hayes asks, “Is he really?”
Scotty elbows him.
I skate off the ice without responding, because anything I say will just give them more ammunition.
The truth is, when I’m around Winnie, I forget how words work. My thoughts dart in different directions. I can’t think.
The thing that I thought was permanently frozen inside of me is thawing, just a tad.
I brought her coffee and a doughnut hole on Valentine’s Day. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and then we were locked in my office together—an honest mistake on my part. Whether Austin is in matchmaking cahoots with Joyce is another question altogether—she probably wants to pitch him a dating show. It would be about firefighters finding love. She’d call itSparks Fly! I’ve been hearing rumblings around town about this mad idea.
My thoughts instantly dart back to earlier that evening, in the dim light of the cottage, Winnie and I were so close, I could almost imagine our lips meeting.
The truth is, I’m in trouble.
That afternoonat the old firehouse, I’m mercifully alone, working on finishing the live-edge wood bar top by the windows. The space is coming together with classic firehouse charm mixed with modern bakery equipment, with a nod to our mountain environment. Captain Kendrick would’ve loved this.
The front door creaks open.
“We’re not open yet—” I turn and stop.
