I walked into the house after the game and had barely dropped my keys on the table when my phone buzzed.
Connor:FYI the heart eyes were for your dad, not you, so don’t get a big head.
I snorted, because before the end of the first quarter, Ellie and all three of my brothers had texted me the clip of Connor looking so adorably smitten while appearing to watch me and my dad on the big screen. At first, I was fairly certain he had to have been discussing something unrelated to me, like smoked meats or single malt whiskey, because the look on his face had beenwaaaaytoo toe-curling, but after watching the clip multiple times, I turned into a delusional freak and had hummed like a damned Disney princess all the way home.
I texted:Sure. Nice game, btw.
Connor:You approve of my performance?
Me:I mean, I have a few notes but I approve overall.
Connor:Such overwhelming support. I’m not sure I deserve it.
Me:Oh, I’m sure you don’t but I’m a lifelong Coyotes fan so I take the good when it’s good.
Connor:And it’s all about your devotion to the team. Has nothing to do with the handsome tight end…?
Me:Teeders is attractive, sure, but I don’t know if he’s really my type.
Connor:Stop trying to make me jealous. You look cute in a hat, btw.
So hedidsee me, I thought with a happy little grin.
Me:Thanks. You look so-so in a helmet.
Connor:Bullshit. I’m radiant in a helmet and you know it.
Before I could respond, he texted me again.Can I take you out Friday night? I really want to get the “official” second date on the books.
A squeaky little sound escaped me as I opened the fridge and grabbed a string cheese.
Me:Because until we go on an “official” second date we’re just pals, right?
That kiss had been the antithesis of palhood, for the record.
Connor:That’s right.
There was something about playing with him that was so…comforting.Relaxing. Texting nonsensical banter to Connor and getting closer with him through it was the equivalent of rewatching a Nora Ephron movie.
Which scared me, because did that mean we were getting so comfortable with each other that he’d end up seeing me as just a friend?
I was getting far too neurotic about this.
I texted:Where are you going to take me?
Connor:New Ulm.
Me:Oktoberfest??
Connor:You know about it?
Oktoberfest in New Ulm washuge. A total party. I’d gone a few times, and so had my brothers, but the fact that Connor was surprised I’d heard of it meant he had no idea what he was getting into.
And I had no intention of enlightening him.
He was too fun to mess with.
Me:I’ve heard things and I’m totally in.
