We both look up as a trio of friends approach. It’s the girls who sat next to me at the game. They wave to him, then light up once they recognize me.
“Ahhh!” The first one who spoke to me when she saw me wearing Alex’s number jumps up and down. “Hi! You look so cute. What’s this for?”
“The Ballgowns for Books benefit.” I’m proud of myself for answering without mumbling. I even made eye contact. “It’s a winter formal to support the bookstore next to the coffee shop. The theme is walking through your favorite fairy tales.”
“Stop it, that’s so cute,” her friend gushes. “I’m going to have a Belle moment? Sign me up.”
“I’m texting our sorority sisters, they’ll definitely want to hear about it,” the third girl says. “We’ll grab three tickets, please.”
“Thank you,” I manage.
“Give us your number, too. Want to get ready with us?”
“Oh, uh. Maybe?” I nudge my phone across the table. “I have to be there early.”
“We’ll figure it out. Text you later!”
I blink. Did I make friends and not realize?
“Doesn’t look like there are that many left. I think we can move those for sure,” Alex says once the girls leave.
“What? No way.”
Sure enough, when I count what I have left in the envelope, there are less than twenty. Amazed, I count the remaining tickets again. It takes a moment to sink in how successful we’ve been today.
“We’re almost sold out. I doubt I would’ve sold this many tickets without your help,” I admit. “People tend to ignore me. Most days, I like that arrangement just fine. But I was worried when it came to this benefit that no one would care.”
“I didn’t do anything, sweetheart.” He rests an arm across the back of my chair, absently rubbing my shoulder to keep me warm. “This is all you. Hockey isn’t the only thing people can get hyped over at this school.”
I scoff. “Please. Hockey isallpeople obsess over here.” I poke him in the chest. “It makes sense, I suppose. You’re all attractive and display nimble skills when you hit the puck around the ice.”
“There’s way more to it than that.” He smirks. “Should I strip off my jacket and shirt? Watch, those last tickets will fly.”
I roll my eyes, pressing my palm against his hard body. The shove I give him has little fire in it. His deep, warm chuckle vibrates against my hand and wraps around me. I bite my lip as a rush of heat coils in my stomach, squeezing my thighs together at the decadent sound.
His laughter tapers off and his gaze rakes over me. “Has anyone asked you yet?”
I give him a questioning look. “Asked me what?”
He studies my face for a moment with an expression I don’t understand. “Are you going alone?” When I shrug, he hums, nodding slowly. He captures my hand before I pull it away, running his thumb over my knuckles. “I’d like to buy two tickets.”
“Oh.” Heat floods my cheeks.
Alex, to my surprise, is a good guy. Maybe the only exception to my hockey players suck rule. I don’t think I can deny I was wrong about him anymore. He’s great…just notmine. I forgot.
“Right. Of course.” I pull from his grasp and fumble for the money box. “I, um. Appreciate you supporting a good cause. I didn’t think you’d be interested in going, let alone bringing someone.”
But of course he’d have a date in mind. There’s always a swarm of girls around him. Pretty girls that laugh and knowall the right things to say to guys like him. That don’t get uncomfortable in a crowd and enjoy going to parties to be social.
I swallow thickly and hand over his tickets. He tucks his money in with the other proceeds we’ve earned.
Another smirk tilts his mouth. It causes a dull ache in my chest.
“Lainey, can I take you to the dance?” Alex murmurs.
My world comes to a stop. It happens slowly as his question registers, then all at once, the universe snapping to a halt.
I take my glasses off and clean them on my sleeve as if the change in perspective will help me process the moment better. When I pop them back on my face, the smudge-free view doesn’t change. Alex still has a soft, handsome smile, waiting patiently for an answer.
