Page 12 of Love on the Ice

Her brows snap together, and I see the confusion slide across her face. I’m not sure what she’s confused about. I really want her there. I want to get to know her better. I want to know that she likes me.

I want… her.

“Okay,” she exhales. “Then I’ll be there.”

Jerking my chin, I give her a grin. “Good,” I say, extending my arm.

After touching the tip of her nose with my index finger, I take one step backward before I turn and walk toward my house. I want to turn my head and look back at her. I don’t know if she watches me go, but I hope she does.

I still cannot read her, but I’m hoping I'll know exactly how she feels about me by the end of the game on Thursday night.

LORELAI

“Who was that?” Karlie asks.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I look around at the girls, who are all staring at me, waiting for my response. I know I’m supposed to tell them about the tickets, but I selfishly want to go alone. I want to be there, watching him. I want him to look through the glass and see me. Not them.

But I’m not that girl. I’m not that person.

Even if it’s really tempting.

“That was Reid. He brought us tickets to the hockey game on Thursday,” I state.

There is a hushed silence, and then Ayden stands up and squeals. “Oh my gosh, hockey tickets. I am here for it. I cannot wait. This is going to be amazing. We need outfits.”

I almost snort. My outfit is going to be jeans, boots, a beanie, and a hoodie. I am not going to be freezing and uncomfortable for hours on end. I am not that girl. Comfort always trumps fashion. I’m sure that’s another reason my roommates are always looked at while I’m passed over.

Granted, I don’t wear anything too sloppy. I wear jeans and T-shirts, but I try to look at least presentable. However, they are always dressed to the nines—little dresses, high heels, the whole thing. Not only do I not have the money for their taste in fashion, but I also don’t have the inclination.

They all start wildly talking and planning outfits. I smile but don’t join in, then quietly slip away and head upstairs. Climbing into bed, I reach for my book and start to study again. I try not to think of Reid, but I fail.

Because he’s all I can think about.

I don’t know how long I stay in my bed studying before there is a knock on my door. “Come in,” I call out.

Turning my head, I look over at the closed door as it begins to open. I’m not surprised when it’s Brooklynn who opens the door, but she doesn’t step inside. She stays in the doorway, her eyes on mine.

“You seem sad,” she says. “That’s not like you. You’re always sunshine and lollipops.”

“I’m just nervous about my test,” I lie.

Well, I partially lie.

I don’t tell her that I’m feeling defeated and sorry for myself about Reid. There’s no sense in it. There is a moment of silence before she smirks in my direction.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with the hottie with the body across the street, does it?”

“Reid?” I ask, trying to sound confused.

She laughs. “Yeah, Mr. Diner. That’s so unlike you. I love it.”

Laughing, I look down at my book, then shift my attention back to meet hers. “It doesn’t. He’s cute and all, but I have to focus on school, and I’m pretty sure it’s just a friend thing. Nothing remotely romantic happened.”

“Yet,” she sings.

I chuckle. “It won’t.”

Shaking her head from side to side, Brooklynn sings one word three times in a row as she walks away from my room and down the hall to her own.

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