“Yeah, everything’s fine. You weren’t at the bakery yesterday. Cool place they’ve got going,” I tell him.
“Yeah, sorry, I meant to text you. I had some Chen stuff to deal with. He’s spiraling badly. I heard you had a nice coffee with my colleague.”
From the way Leo talks, I can hear the smirk in his voice.
“What Chen stuff?” I ask, surprised. Rex Chen had become Leo’s nemesis after trying to buy the bakery. By extension, he’s made it onto my list as well.
“I still have some business ties with him that I’m trying to cut. It’s a little complicated,” Leo explains.
“Well, if there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
“You can tell me what you thought of the bakery.”
“Sunrise & Salt is a very professional bakery. The staff is great,” I answer in a deliberately formal tone.
“Great enough to ask for their number, I hear,” Leo counters, and I immediately regret starting this conversation.
“Right, I did,” I admit. “I’m seeing her today. We’re meeting at the Moonlight Lounge.”
“Gwen is something special, man,” Leo says with a sigh, and I’m not sure what to make of that. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as loyal, dry, or funny as her. Some days I think that if it weren’t for her, Tess and I wouldn’t be together.”
“Yeah… she seems pretty awesome.”
“Well, have fun tonight and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Leo suggests, and I laugh.
“Like going live on the Mavericks’ social channels and declaring my love for someone after ruining their business? Noted,” I retort.
“Ouch, man. Too soon,” Leo jokes before we hang up.
Before I drive home, I confirm the email for the driver to pick Lisa up from the airport. She should arrive tomorrow, but Coach made it clear I can’t miss practice.
We have an important game coming up, so no one skips unless it involves something extreme. His words, not mine.
I send Lisa a quick text before heading out. I’m still worried about her, but the countdown has officially started. She’ll be here soon; hopefully, that alone helps whatever she’s dealing with.
By the time I get back to the apartment, something in me feels restless.
I haven’t been on a date in a long time. I don’t even know if she sees this as a date. Maybe it’s just a drink. Maybe it’s the start of a friendship, though I’m not sure that’s what I want.
I decide to wear my navy button-down. A photographer once said it matched my brown hair during a Grizzlies photoshoot. They let me keep it, and it’s been hanging in my closet ever since.
By the time I leave the house, it’s only 6:00 p.m. I don’t feel like waiting around, so I walk to the Moonlight Lounge. It’s about a twenty-minute walk if I keep a steady pace, so I get moving.
In my AirPods, Falling in Reverse plays to keep me going. Blake and I used to listen to them in the locker room during our early days. Coach always warned us that we were too close and that our friendship could hurt the team. We stood out too much compared to the others. At one point, there were even whispers about trading one of us.
But once we hit the ice, those doubts disappeared.
Blake and I have a natural rhythm. We always find a way to connect, to read each other without thinking.
It takes about four songs to reach the bar. When I check the time, I realize I’ve walked faster than usual. I’m almost fifteen minutes early.
Inside the Moonlight Lounge, a few tables sit empty. I choose one in the back, tucked into the darker section. Experience has taught me to be careful. Paparazzi, candid photos, it’s better to stay out of sight when I can.
A couple sits at the bar, and another occupies a table two seats over. They look like they’re on a first date. When the girl glances my way, I quickly look down. I’m not nationally famous, but in Chicago, people tend to recognize me.
I scroll through my phone until the door opens.
I look up.
