Page 21 of The Best Friend Power Play

While everyone ponders, I say, "I want to take part in the Festival of Living Pictures."

Sure, it's not the wildest thing, but being able to rub my non-flinching face in Doyle's is the type of thrill I can get behind.

"Okay. Good," Katie says. "Write that down."

So I do.

"Y-y-you've always wanted to p-paint."

"That's right, I have." I feel a twinge of guilt—Chester even bought me a paint set for Christmas last year, which was a way more thoughtful gift than his usual generic bath sets or weird kitchen gadgets like plastic banana slicers or avocado pitters that seem useful but always end up unused in the back of a drawer. "Put that on your list."

He scribbles it down with a happy smile on his face.

"When's the last time you did karaoke?" Katie asks, eliciting a loud groan from Culver beside me.

"Way too long ago," I answer, then nudge Culver with my elbow. "And since you're staying with me, I'm going to have to insist you come along."

"That has to be a violation of some human right, surely?" he moans.

"And this time, you are going to sing."

Culver hates karaoke with a capital H. In the handful of times I've managed to drag him along, he hasn't sung. I couldn't even get so much as a hum or whistle out of him. His singing voice must be really bad, which is why I need to hear it.

He continues groaning as I tell Katie to add it to her list.

Unfortunately, after getting off to a decent start, the good suggestions flatline.

"What about Pilates?" Culver suggests.

I shake my head. "Too intense."

"Yoga?" Katie asks.

"Too much lycra."

"What about n-n-naked yoga?" We all snap our heads to Chester. "What? It's a thing."

"My issue with yoga won't be resolved by not wearing clothes." I twirl the pen between my fingers. I may not be a fan of group exercise, but there has been something I've wanted to do for a while. Even if I am petrified by the idea. "I'd like to swim in the ocean."

"But you hate the ocean," Culver says.

"I know. But I'm twenty-five. Maybe it's time to overcome my fear. If you'll come with me?"

He smiles brightly, his dimples making a welcome appearance. "Of course."

"Awesome." I smile, and my gaze shifts the outfit he's wearing. I noticed it the second he surprised me in the store, but I haven't had a proper chance to appreciate it until now.

Because, you see, Culver isn't just one of the best defensemen in the NHL, he's also a bit of a style icon. He's always dressed well, and in recent years, he hasn't been afraid to make bold fashion choices, whether it's a zebra-print coat, a colorful cardigan, or the monochromatic blue outfit he's wearing today, complete with blue Nike Air Jordans. They're his favorite shoe, and he has an entire collection of them in almost every color imaginable.

I glance across the table and can immediately guess what a grinning Katie and Chester are thinking about my invitation to Culver. "Because he’s a strong swimmer," I tell them.

"Uh-huh."

"N-n-nothing to do with g-getting wet and almost naked."

Culver's brown eyes sparkle. "Do you know what I love even more than you two teasing me and Hannah with all your innuendo and not-at-all subtle remarks?"

They both shake their heads.

---