But the thing that I think I’m drawn to most with her is that she’s fun. I realize that I haven’t thought once about hockey, or Stella, or any of that other shit that’s been plaguing me since we started talking. My chest feels lighter than it has in months.
But I can’t seem to figure her out. She rolls with the punches when I’m borderline inappropriate with sexual innuendos but says words likepoopy. I find myself wanting to unravel more about myquirkynew friend.
“What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done, Millie?”
Her smile dims slightly as she looks off toward the other workers, who are starting to come back from their lunch breaks. “Does coloring outside the lines count?”
I can tell my question hit a nerve, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I lean over and gently bump my shoulder intohers. “Totally. I feel like you have to be a real rebel to break the confines of what society expects.” And I’m not pulling her chain.
If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that expectations can be brutal and suffocating.
Her eyes search mine—for what, I’m not sure—but when she smiles, something deep in my chest flutters. “I’m pretty sure the answer is supposed to be,‘No, Millie, that doesn’t count.’”
I smile back, wanting to see that light return to her eyes that was just there moments ago. "You want to do something wild and crazy?"
Her hand comes up and grazes the skin on her neck before she suddenly drops it back into her lap. "I do."
I nod as I watch her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. "Then let me reword my question. Millie St. James, what is the craziest thing on your bucket list?"
She instantly lights up, her eyes crinkle with happiness as she brings her hands together in front of her, but she hesitates, like she has to think about her answer. "Skydiving!"
I laugh in surprise. "Really?"
"I've always wanted to see what it feels like to fly. To have that kind of rush of adrenaline? Gosh, it has to feel amazing. Have you ever gone?"
"No, I guess I'm too chicken for that. What else is on this bucket list of yours?"
"Mostly places and food, but I also have cave diving, scuba diving, and sword fighting."
I throw my head back and practically howl. "Sword fighting? Like medieval times?" I sit forward on the bench and completely turn toward her. "On a horse? In full armor? I have so many questions."
She laughs, the sound causes another flutter in my belly. "Horseback riding is also on the list, but that's separate fromsword fighting. I kind of had fencing in my head more than metal armor."
I nod like that makes perfect sense.Who is this girl? And why do I like her so much?"Fencing makes so much more sense."
She laughs as she playfully shoves me on the shoulder. "Don't make fun of me. It's just something that I always thought looked fun. What's on your bucket list?"
"I don't have one."
She gasps as her eyes go wide in disbelief. "That's blasphemy!How?!Why?!"
I chuckle and shake my head. "I guess I've just always been focused on one thing."
"Let me guess, girls?"
"Nooo, Ms. Smarty-pants.Hockey."
"Hmmm, it's all starting to make sense now." She nods her head along like she knows a secret I don't.
"What makes sense?"
"I mean, now that you say it, I can see it. You've got that hot hockey player vibe going on."
I flutter my eyelashes and place my hand over my heart. "You think I'm hot?"
She laughs, "Have you seen yourself in a mirror? What kind of silly question is that?"
"My sister says I'm only one step up from Shrek."
