“Team dinner Saturday. I’m bringing one of these. Showing her I pay attention. That I know what matters to her.”
“You’re going to bring romance novels to a team dinner.”
“Just one. Not the whole bag. That would be excessive.”
“Cap, this entire plan is excessive.” But he’s smiling. “You need help with anything?”
“Just make sure everyone’s at Dex’s Saturday night. Including Marnie.”
“She declined the invitation.”
“She’ll change her mind.”
I pull out my phone.
Me
Team dinner Saturday. You’re coming. Trust me.
She doesn’t respond immediately, but I know she’s reading it. Know she’s probably panicking about what I’m planning.
Good. Let her panic a little. Then I’ll show her exactly why she doesn’t need to be scared anymore.
By SaturdayI’ve read four complete books and skimmed a fifth.
I’ve learned that hockey romance novels feature an improbable amount of locker room encounters, and even some completely unrealistic but absolutely steamy scenes in the penalty box, and that the couples who make it are the ones who fight for each other instead of hiding.
Also that I have some logistically interesting ideas for the next time Marnie and I have an empty apartment and no time constraints.
Saturday nightI arrive at Dex’s house withCross-Checking the Captainin my hand.
“You actually brought it,” Brody says when he sees me walk in.
“Told you I would.”
“This is either going to be the smoothest move I’ve ever seen or a complete disaster.”
“Could be both.”
I set the book on the side table in Dex’s living room where Marnie will definitely see it when she arrives.
If she arrives.
She hasn’t responded to any of my texts today and I’m fifty-fifty on whether she’ll actually show up.
Dex comes over, sees the book, picks it up.
“Is this—oh my god, Cap. I thought Brody was lying.” He flips it open, sees my highlights. “You color-coded it. You color-coded a romance novel.”
“I color-code everything.”
“Game footage, sure. But this?”
“It’s not just—” I stop. “It has useful relationship advice.”
“That’s the longest way anyone’s ever said ‘feelings with detailed sex scenes.’” He sets it back down. “This is amazing. When’s she getting here?”
“No idea. She might not come.”
