“I don’t know.”
I tell her what I think. “The second that button snapped off, Nash was by your side with his blazer on your shoulders.”
“He moved faster than during a breakaway on the ice.” Colsen chimes in. “And that guy can skate fast.”
“That doesn’t mean?—”
“It does.” I interrupt her. “If he didn’t like you, he would have stayed in his seat and enjoyed the view.”
Taryn smiles for the first time since she admitted crushing on Nash. “Did you enjoy the view?”
I like it when she flirts with me. “Fuck, yeah. But I was two seconds slower than Nash. I was taking my own blazer off to come to the rescue, for the record. He just beat me to it.”
“And me.” Colsen says before turning to me. “By the way, Tuck, you should have quicker reflexes than anyone else. Maybe we should change your nickname on the ice from the Panther to the Sloth.”
I flip him off. “Fuck off, dude. I was just mesmerized by Taryn’s choreography. It was so lyrical and beautiful.”
It was. Taryn is a beautiful dancer. To the point that Carole and Lexi didn’t even debate if her style was too different from what they need for the team, like they did with other contestants who prepared slower pieces.
“I agree.” Colsen says. “But going back to the matter at hand, what do you want, Taryn? I want to make it clear that I want to see you again. I want to get to know you better and take you on dates.”
“Me too.” I rush to confirm. “I can’t stop thinking about you. And I hope you’ll let me take you on a date next weekend.”
Her smile widens. “Really? Even after our last date ended?”
“You can bet your cute little ass on it.” I wink. “Maybe though we’ll make sure it’s somewhere without any guns.”
When she laughs at my little lame joke, my heart fills with hope that maybe I do have a chance with her.
“I want to go on a date with you too, Tucker.”
This woman is seriously dangerous for the muscle in my chest. When she confirms that whatever the fuck I’m feeling isn’t one-sided, my heart clenches again, but this time it’s the good kind of contraction.
I bring her knuckles to my lips. “Let’s compare our schedules once your training starts and make plans?”
“I would love that.”
Colsen clears his throat. “I’m glad that’s settled and I would like to make some plans with you too, pretty girl. That leaves us with just one question. What if Nash asked you out?”
Her smile fades away. “I guess you expect me to turn him down.”
My best friend and I look at each other. Is that what we’re asking her?
It should be. I mean, come on. Right? Then why is it that just the thought of causing Taryn’s bright smile to dim makes that pain in my chest start all over again?
Colsen must be feeling the same way. “Maybe not.” His tone is tentative as he looks between me and Taryn. “We don’t know Nash too well, but he seems an ok guy.”
“Maybe a little quiet for my liking,” I shrug. “But yeah, I think he’s ok. He’s got one hell of a slapshot, especially for a defenseman.”
She looks confused. “You sound like you’re considering him for a date.”
Col laughs. “That’s because I am. Not for myself, obviously. But the point is, if things became serious between us, I would want you to be able to commit to me without wondering what if?”
I’m on his same page. “Same. That’s why I’m ok with you exploring things with Col. When I’ll call you my girlfriend, I want it to be because you think I’m the one.”
“What are you trying to say?” She asks.
“That if Nash throws his hat in the ring, it isn’t going to be a dealbreaker for me. At least not at this stage.” Colsen says.
