“Oby! Did you have fun playing hockey?” Madison asked.
The question hit him like a freight train.
Did hehave fun playing hockey?
It had been so long, he’d forgotten how fun it used to be. Maybe keeping that in mind would help with his training.
“Not as much fun as I have with you,” Tobias answered. “Can I make a bracelet too?”
“Yeah! I’m making one for Chase to give him the next time I go rock climbing. Do you think he likes the color red?”
Tobias smiled. “I bet he likes all kinds of colors. If you want, you could ask him the next time you see him.”
Madison narrowed her eyes before answering. “But then I can’t find out until we go rock climbing again. I need to knowbeforewe go so I can make the bracelet.”
It occurred to Tobias he’d never told Madison about Chase’s new job at his gym.
“Actually, he works at my gym now too, teaching yoga. I can text him if you want me to.”
“You get to see him at your gym too? You’re so lucky!” Madison squealed, then turned to her Gigi. “Chase is the coolest!”
His mom raised her brows in his direction before focusing on Madison.
“Yeah? What do you like about him, Maddie?” she asked.
“Chase is really nice and he’s handsome and he’s helping me get really good at climbing rocks so I don’t get hurt. And he believes in me!”
“Well, of course he does. You’re the best!” his mom said as she tickled Madison’s side, eliciting high-pitched giggles until she squirmed away.
“Can you text him and ask him what his favorite colors are? Please?” she begged, her pigtails bouncingalong with her on the couch cushion.
“Sure, but he might not text back right away if he’s working,” Tobias said as he pulled his phone out of his pocket, checking the time. Chase wasn’t teaching at his gym, but he didn’t know his Cherrywood Boulders schedule.
TOBIAS:Sorry to bother you, but Madison would like to know what your favorite colors are.
“Okay, I texted him. I’ll let you know when he responds, okay?” Tobias said.
“Yay! Thank you! Could you tell him I said hi, too?” she asked. Tobias couldn’t hide his smile.
He thought maybe Madison had a little crush.
‘She’s not the only one.’
Urrrgh, not now.
TOBIAS:Also, she says hi.
“I told him you said hi, Maddie-moo.”
Madison smiled brightly and then returned to her work, until his phone buzzed on the table between them, Chase’s name popping up on his notifications.
“Is it him?” Madison asked, prompting a chuckle from his mom.
“Yup, let’s see what he says,” he said, then read aloudthe text.
CHASE:Hi Madison! My favorite colors are red and orange. What are yours?
Madison immediately started hoarding the red and orange beads strewn around the table as she talked.
