Emmie rolled her eyes, hand shoving my shoulder. “Oh my god.”
“Hey,” I laughed. “I’m just clarifying.”
“Well, I clearly won.”
Even if I had won, I would have conceded just from the look on Emmie’s face. The way it lit up, green eyes sparkling, pink cheeks with a little dimple on the left, made my stomach swoop. She looked so proud that no way was I going to argue.
“What prize do you want?” I asked, my voice soft.
Emmie tapped her chin, as if thinking hard about what she wanted. “To be determined.”
Fuck, she was cute.
“Anytime you want to cash in on it, let me know.”
Emmie was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. “Thanks for today. I actually had a lot of fun.”
“Weren’t expecting me to be fun to be around, huh?”
Emmie shook her head. “I was expecting it to be awkward now that you know who my dad is.”
“Do guys usually get weird about it?” I questioned.
“I’ve never dated a football player.”
A smirk played on my lips. “Does that mean I get to popyour cherry?” The eye roll she gave me made my smirk grow into a smile.
“God, you’re a dork.”
“A lovable dork,” I shot back. “In case I didn’t make myself clear the other night.” I moved closer, the tips of my skates barely grazing hers. My smile fell. “Who your father is doesn’t affect anything, at least not on my end. You can keep using it as an excuse between us, but until you tell me to get lost, I’m not going anywhere.” I meant every word, and I hoped she could see that I was being serious.
Her lips pressed into a firm line, the skin near her eyes tightening as if the thought hurt her. “I refuse to be the reason someone ruins their career.”
My tone came off as firm but not rude. “It’s cute you’re concerned for me, but it’s my call to make.”
Emmie was quiet, green eyes glued to me, as my words settled in the air between us. I could practically see the arguments building in her mind. I prepared myself to argue right on back, but instead, she seemed to think better of it.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I repeated.
“I’ll…try not to worry about it,” Emmie said. It came out a little forced, but I knew that was the best outcome I’d get. She was clearly someone who liked to be in control so giving her this was a big deal.
I nodded. “So, where are you taking me to dinner tonight?”
With that, the tension in Emmie’s shoulders lessened a smidge. She reached out and shoved me again, but a smile played at the corner of her lips. “I’m not taking you anywhere.”
“You’re the one who asked me out, so technically, you should be the one taking me to dinner.” I shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”
“There are no rules.”
The glare she sent my way did nothing but egg me on. I playfully shook my head as I pushed off the ice and skated backward. “Just using me for my body then, huh?”
“You always have to start shit, don’t you?” she asked, skating after me slowly.
“I’m just trying to see how far I can go before the vein in your forehead pops,” I remarked. I was goading her on purpose.
She propelled herself closer. “What did you just say?”
