Page 142 of Some Like It Hot

I’m only in my seat for about five minutes before Sammy, the Racketeers mascot, comes stomping down the steps and stops in the aisle at the end of our row.

“Jesus Christ,” Cam mutters.

“Remind me why I haven’t fired him,” Nathan says.

“Oh, stop it,” Dani tells him, grinning. “He’s great. The crowd loves him.”

There is definitely a love-hate relationship between Sammy and these guys. On one hand, he’s the reason that Dani is with her men. Kind of. On the other, Cameron does not like the fact that Wade, the kid inside the malamute dressed in a gangster costume had a little crush on Luna. Cam was quite pleased, however, when Wade seemed to shift his affections to me.

I look over at Sammy. I wasn’t told this was part of our show tonight. He tips his head to one side and plants his big furry paws on his hips. I glance up and see that, of course, we are on the Jumbotron.

Well, I can put on a show. I shrug as if to ask, “What?”

He holds up his left hand and points at his ring finger with his right. I hold mine up, wiggle it so the diamond sparkles.

The crowd cheers.

Sammy mimes a knife stabbing into his heart.

I laugh and shrug and mouth, “I’m sorry.”

He holds out his hand to me then gestures up the stairs.

I point down on the ice toward Blake, put my hand over my heart and then shake my head at Sammy indicating that no, I won’t run away with him.

Sammy sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping.

The crowd gives a collective, “Aw,” in sympathy.

Then everyone starts laughing and cheering.

I look around, then realize that Sammy has turned to face the ice and has his hands up in surrender, shaking them and his head.

I look down to find Blake pointing his hockey stick up at Sammy and then dragging his opposite hand across his throat.

Obviously, there is a break in the game action.

I laugh and feel my heart skip.

How could I not fall in love with this guy? I’m not stupid at all. Not falling for him would have been far more ridiculous than losing my heart was.

Finally, Blake has to turn back to the game and Sammy wipes across his forehead as if massively relieved and I extend my hand as if to shake his hand.

But Sammy puts his hands up and starts backing up the stairs, as if to say no way, I’m staying far away from you.

The crowd loves it.

When I can finally take my seat again, Luna and Dani are delighted.

“I could never ham it up like that,” Dani tells me.

“Yeah, I maybe could, but I would look ridiculous. You're a natural,” Luna tells me.

I shrug. “It’s pretty fun. I’m surprised Blake got into it.”

“It would’ve been hilarious if Aidan and Simon had been here too,” Luna says.

“Yeah, I’ve been dying to ask you—what were their reactions when you and Blake said you were going to actually get married?” Dani asks.

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