I thought about it for a second as we made our way onto the sidewalk. “I’m cautiously optimistic. I’d like to think I’m in the clear now and he won’t come back again. I’d really like to go about my daily life without worrying whether there will be another letter or uncomfortable visit from him.”
I looked up to see him nodding. “I hope so too, but if that changes, call me right away and let me know.”
“I will.”
“So, Stella. What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t creating magic in the kitchen?”
“Not much, honestly. I’m kind of lame. Most of my free time is spent on paperwork for Scandinavian Sweets or finding ways to make it even better. I need to get out more.” I gave him a small smirk to try to cover how totally uncool I was.
“Do you know what curling is?”
I tilted my head to the side, thinking. “Do you mean the winter sport in the Olympics?”
His lip curled a little in what I assumed was satisfaction that I knew what he was talking about. “Yes. Have you ever tried it?”
“Uh…can’t say that I have. Why? Did Swedish people invent it, and I’m embarrassing my culture by never playing?” I joked, and he just smiled bigger.
“Technically, curling was invented in Scotland, but according to the World Curling Federation, Sweden is always in the top three world rankings. Plus, in the last several Olympics, Sweden has won a medal for curling. So, we may not have invented it, but weareexcellent at it.”
I laughed at his smack-talk of the other countries.
“I guess I need to learn more about it so I don’t embarrass my ancestors,” I teased as we entered the bank.
“Would you like to come with me Sunday and learn how to play? There is a local club here, and Anna invited me to join her and Archer to play on Sunday.”
Did he just ask me out?
Before I could answer him, a woman greeted me from behind the counter.
“Hey, Stella!”
I turned to see Leslie waving her hand at me from behind her teller station.
“Hey, Leslie,” I replied as Axel put his hand on the small of my back to push me toward her.
I didn’t want to go to Leslie, though. I wanted to keep talking about curling and the possible date that Axel was asking me out on. Leslie was super nice, though, and the one who usually helped me take care of my deposits. She also was a frequent visitor at Scandinavian Sweets. She claimed it was to keep her adult kids coming home since they didn’t visit as often now that they were grown and out of the house.
“Is that your drop for the day?” Leslie asked as we neared the counter.
“Uh…yeah.” I handed the bag to her along with the sheet.
I started to turn to Axel, hoping to bring up the curling again, but, alas, Leslie was going to be my dream-crusher for the day.
“So, try any new recipes lately?” she asked, excitement written all over her face. “Those twist things you had me try the last time were so amazing. I can’t wait to come back and get something else.”
“Nothing new since the last time you came over, but you’re always welcome to get some of your favorites."
“Are you with her?” Leslie asked, looking at Axel.
“I am,” he replied as I nodded to her.
“Okay, just making sure, cause sometimes people get a little too close in line and I need to tell them to move back.”
I smiled back at her as she typed away on her computer.
“Alright my dear. Just sign the back of this check for me, and you are all set.” She handed me one of the checks I meant to sign before we came over but had clearly forgotten since Axel was around.
I was finding this was common when he was near me. It was like my brain and any logical thought just yeeted right out of my head.
