“That’s tragic. How do you call your dog?”
“I don’t have a dog.”
“Well, you can never get one now. They’ll never come when you call.”
He laughed.
Our drinks arrived, and I took a long sip of my Dr. Pepper. Across the table, Owen studied me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“What?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“Nothing.” He shook his head slowly. “You’re just... You look really beautiful tonight.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “You’re such a smooth talker.”
“I’m being sincere.”
“I know. That’s what makes it worse.”
He laughed and reached across the table to steal a chip from my side. “So what’s the plan? After graduation?”
The question landed differently than I expected. Heavier. More real than our playful banter about bridges and whistling.
“Nursing, right?” he asked, popping the chip in his mouth. “You’re still set on that?”
I shrugged. “I mean, that’s what I’ve always said I wanted to do.” The truth felt uncomfortable sitting on my tongue. “Buthonestly? I’m not sure anymore. I’m still trying to figure out what I actually want.”
“Yeah?” His expression was curious, not judgmental. “What changed?”
“I don’t know. Maybe nothing changed. Maybe I just never really knew in the first place.” I traced patterns in the condensation on my glass. “What about you? What’s your degree even in?”
“Business with a minor in marketing.”
“And before you ask,” he added with a grin, “I have no idea what I’m going to do with it.”
I laughed. “That’s reassuring.”
“Hey, at least I’m honest about it.” He took a sip of his beer. “The degree is basically my backup plan that I hope I never need.”
“Speaking of which...” I tilted my head, studying him. “How do you afford your fancy lifestyle? Does college hockey actually pay you?”
He laughed, the sound genuine and a little surprised. “No. College hockey pays for my tuition and books, but that’s it. The rest...” He ticked off on his fingers. “Sponsorships, apparel deals, I host a youth clinic a few times a year.”
I smiled, suddenly remembering. “I saw you doing that. At the beginning of the season, after classes. You had all those little kids on the ice.”
His expression softened. “Yeah, they’re great. Exhausting, but great.” He continued, “I also do some social media endorsements, appearances, that kind of thing.” He paused, his fingers tightening slightly around his beer bottle. “And my parents left me a trust fund.”
My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. I was such a freaking jerk for asking.
“Owen…”
“So anyway,” he said quickly, his tone deliberately lighter, “back to you not knowing what you want to do. I think that’s probably more normal than having it all figured out, you know?”
I let him change the subject, grateful and guilty.
“I’m thinking about transferring next year,” I admitted. “There’s a pretty good nursing program at the university near Jax and Kaia. Closer to Syn, too, since she’s opening the shop out there.” I traced the rim of my glass. “I miss them. I’m so used to being part of a big family, and now it’s just me. It’s been harder than I thought, being so far away from everyone.”
“You got me.” Owen’s expression had shifted, something more serious settling behind his eyes.
