Page 21 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

We trade the money and card for the pizza.

"Oh man, that's fire! I didn't even know there were hockey cards."

"Have a good night."

He's too busy looking at the card as he walks away to say goodbye.

By the time the door has closed and I've put the box of pizza on the coffee table in front of the couch, Hannah's over the hair-twirling moment. She goes to the kitchen to get plates. I don't wait for a plate before I grab a slice of barbecue chicken pizza with pineapple on it. I had to pay extra for them to add pineapple, but it's worth it. The barbecue sauce has an underlying spice that the pineapple balances out.

From my spot on the couch, I hear her moving around, and the clink of glasses.

"Do you want a drink?"

Two potted plants decorate the half wall between the kitchen and TV room, one has long tall leaves, and another has thinner white and green leaves that poke out in all directions like spider legs. Grow lights are plugged into the wall so the plants don't need a window. More plants are positioned on a table by the window by her door, and I love that she has a green thumb. I can't keep the fake tree in my condo alive.

"Just water." I unmute the TV and flip through the channels to find something that's on at four o'clock in the afternoon.

With two slices of pizza on my plate, and a tall glass of water, I'm settled in to watch the trivia gameshow I found. I figure it is a safe choice since she indicated interest at the pub. If my ego wasn't still hurt from earlier I'd ask her if she'd be interested in partnering up for trivia night. I'd been so tempted to ask her last night.

The whole time last night, I wanted to reach over and take her hand as we sat across from each other. If it had been a real date, I'd have done so. But Lou was there, and I didn't feel like getting into a fight off the ice. Besides if I dated Hannah, I'd do much better than the pizza pub. I gulp my water, then take another bite of pizza.

I double down and focus on the questions from the TV.

The host has lifted his card and reads out, "Who painted the Mona Lisa?"

"Da Vinci," I mumble around my pizza.

Hannah looks at me as she nods in agreement. The host points at a contestant to state their answer, which only confirms mine. I eat more pizza and Hannah answers the next question. We go back and forth until the end of the show.

After the pizza is long gone, and the trivia has come to an end, I have to move. To give myself something to do so I don't do something dumb like touch her hair again, I throw the box away. Her hair is so soft, and I curse myself for finding that out. Would it be better to wonder every time I see her? Or is it worse now that I know each time I look?

With her migraine gone, and no indication of it coming back tonight, there's no need for me to stay. I don't need to stay here and torture myself.

"Thanks, Matt."

"No problem. I put your keys on your kitchen table."

"I saw that when I got plates."

"Guess I should go now."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow?" Her voice is timid, but her face is hopeful.

"You know I can't stay away from the muffins."

"Right." Her hope fell away. "The muffins are great."

I. Am. An. Idiot.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Why did I bring up muffins after they made her sick earlier? "Or those raspberry things. It doesn't have to be muffins."

Stop saying muffins.

"I'll let Maria know you like them so much."

The door is open and I'm halfway through it when I'm stopped.

"Do you need a ride home?" She asks.

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