Next to me, Dash chuckles and says, totally offhand, “Maybe he just needs a little forced proximity with the right person.”
Wait, what?
I turn to look at him. He’s still watching the ice, but seems to feel my eyes on him. He looks over and then… Okay, now he’s blushing.
I must be gaping at him because he chews his lip, then says, “I may have looked up some of those books you were talking about.”
“You… what?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know if I should tell you. I didn’t want it to be weird.”
Right, no.Hedidn’t want it to be weird.
“So, what you, like… researched them? Did you go on TikTok because the fans there are great, but they tend to be a little focused on the dark?—”
“No, I… “ He rubs the back of his neck and looks away for a second. “I got a couple of them out of the library.”
“Oh. And did you…”
Now he laughs. “Yes, okay, I stayed up all night reading one of them. I needed three cups of coffee to get through my morning class.”
God, he read one? Why did he…
“I hope you don’t think I was trying to get you to do that. You seriously didn’t have to.”
“No, I wanted to. You were so enthusiastic about them.” Yeah, that’s one way to put it. “And, you know, they’re obviously important to you. I wanted to see what the fuss was about.”
“Oh. Okay.” I turn to him. There’s an uneasy feeling in my stomach. “But you really didn’t have to stay up all night.”
“No. I did. Putting that thing down was not an option.” Oh. Is it wrong that I feel giddy hearing this? “But, anyway, the point is, I think I get it.”
“Sure, yeah, I mean between the spice and the romance, most of them?—”
“No. I mean, yes, totally. I get that appeal, too. But I mean, I can see why they mean so much to you.”
“Oh.”
I go quiet.
“I’m sorry, is it okay that I said that? I just meant I think it’s really cool.”
“No, it’s great. Thank you.” I search his eyes for a long moment. “Thank you.”
“Hey motherfucker, watch where you’re going!” Griff shouts below, immediately followed by the coach’s whistle.
“Knock it off, Griffin. If you think I can’t bench you in a practice, you’re wrong!”
Dash and I blink at each other, then both burst into laughter.
“He better get some of that sunshine soon,” says Dash, turning back to the game.
“No kidding.” I glance over at him and his handsome profile as he watches the players glide around the ice. “So I have to ask…”
“Hmm?”
“Which book was it?” I bite back a smile.
He glances over at me before focusing again on the practice. “Oh, I don’t know if I want to tell you that. Besides, you probably haven’t read it…” His tone is teasing.
