Page 7 of Love on the Ice

She shrugs a shoulder, placing her menu down on the table in front of her. “I don’t,” she states. “If I were in a Chinese restaurant, I wouldn’t be super hungry because it’s not my favorite cuisine. But I could find something. But say I were at an Italian restaurant, I would definitely be hungry because that’s my favorite.”

I stare at her as she speaks, completely amused and entertained by her words. Seriously entertained. My lips pull up into a smirk. She’s stunning. She has that true girl-next-door vibe, and I like it.

A hell of a lot.

I can’t even remember the last time I went on a date with anyone. I don’t date. I play hockey. I practice hockey. I eat, breathe, and live for hockey. And sometimes, I meet someone at the club, and one thing leads to another, but I don’t date.

This girl sitting across from me is worth a date, though. A real one, not a diner after ditching a party. She deserves to be picked up at her front door, to go to a nice Italian restaurant, to enjoy wine and dessert, and then she deserves to have a few orgasms at the end of the night.

Our waitress appears and takes our drink order, also taking me out of my thoughts of giving Lorelai orgasms. I wait for Lorelai to say something about being unsure if she’s thirsty, but she doesn’t. Instead, she just orders water.

The waitress turns to leave, and I shift my attention back to this girl. “Have you decided if you’re hungry or not?” I ask.

She lets out a heavy sigh. “I think I’m midhungry.”

My lips twitch before I ask her what that means exactly. She leans forward, her eyes wide as she watches me.

“It means I could have a burger and fries or maybe the hamburger salad, but I wouldn’t order a pie for dessert, too.”

Chuckling, I pluck the menu from her hand. “I come here all the time. You’re hungry, trust me.”

She blinks. “With food? You want me to trust a stranger with my food order? That’s asking a lot.”

Winking, I watch as the waitress walks up to the table, and before Lorelai can say a word, I order for her. I do not order her a fucking salad. What I order for her is the same protein bowl as mine, with a side of pancakes.

Then I order her a fucking slice of chocolate cake because this diner actually has an amazing baker. When the waitress walks away, Lorelai’s eyes widen as they focus on me. She inhales a deep breath, then lets it out slowly.

“That’s a lot of food.”

“You’ll like it. You’ll be hungry by the time it gets here.”

My words are as suggestive as my tone, but if she understands the meaning, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she reaches for her water, brings it to her lips, and takes a long gulp.

LORELAI

This man sitting in front of me with his easy smile and sparkling eyes knows exactly how hot he is. It should be a turnoff, but it’s not because I can tell it comes easy to him. This is a naturally charismatic man.

It wouldn’t matter if I were a piece of wood sitting here. He’d probably look at me the exact same way. So, instead of acting like I’m special because I know that I’m not, I decide I’m going to enjoy the moment.

I’m going to eat the cake, and I’m going to get to know my new neighbor because I can always use a new friend in this world. Plus, maybe one day in the future, I’ll need him to kill a spider for me or something.

I ask Reid about his life, his parents, and his childhood. He is easy to talk to. He tells me all about playing hockey, and as he does, I watch as he becomes more and more excited. He truly loves the sport, and even though I don’t understand everything he’s saying to me, I enjoy listening to him talk.

Our food arrives, and only then does he take a break and shake his head once. “I’m monopolizing the conversation. Tell me about you.”

“There isn’t much to tell,” I say with a shrug of my shoulder as I cut a piece of pancake and shove it into my mouth.

Reid doesn’t respond to that. Instead, he jerks his chin, his eyes searching mine for a moment, and then he leans back in his seat. I watch as he eats his protein bowl, wondering if he’s going to expect more, but I know he does.

“I’m studying for an accounting certificate. The girls and I are renting the house from Ayden’s parents, who bought it as an investment property a few years ago.”

He dips his chin. “Accounting? That means you’re smart.”

I laugh softly. “Not really. I like numbers. They’re real, unchanging things, but I’m not that smart. I’m just trying to do something with my life. Something that can pay the bills.”

“I like it. Drive,” he murmurs around his food.

He eats his whole bowl in, like, five minutes, then starts hacking at the pancakes. I let him because there is no way I need everything he’s ordered for me. But I do want that cake. I’m suddenly starving for chocolate cake.

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