Page 121 of The Breaking Point

Elodie was nodding along as Kelly asked me questions to fill out my profile. What were my hobbies? What kind of a guy was I looking for? What was my ideal first date? What were some of my favorite shows and movies?

I answered her questions, but even I could tell I didn’t have much enthusiasm behind my answers. When I answered, “I don’t know,” Kelly sighed and began typing an answer for me.

“I thought you wanted to move on,” Kelly pointed out, frowning.

“I do. But ...” I bit my lip. “Maybe that doesn’t mean I’m ready to start dating. Maybe I should be single for a while.”

When Kelly looked frustrated, Elodie said, “That’s probably a good idea. I think everybody should be single rather than jumping from one relationship to another.”

She grinned. “I say that as somebody who was already dating a guy when I started having feelings for Mac, whoops. So maybe do as I say, not as I do.”

Kelly looked a little mollified. “Well, maybe you’re right. We can wait on the dating thing. Although I think new dick is always a good thing.”

We ate our food, then Elodie had to leave. “I forgot that Mac and I have something going on tonight,” she said as she hugged me and then Kelly. Her gaze now on Kelly, she added, “Behave yourself, all right?”

Kelly chuckled. “Of course, of course.”

After Elodie left, though, Kelly gave me a grin that could only be described as evil. Then she was on her phone, clearly messaging somebody.

“What are you doing now?” I asked, my eyes narrowed.

“Being a good friend. Now, did I tell you about the time I nearly ran over a goat in Pasadena?”

Kelly and I were enjoying a piece of chocolate cake for dessert when two guys came up to our table. Kelly got up and hugged them both before gesturing for them to sit down.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked, her smile wide. “Grace, this is Cal and Darren. They’re professors I work with in the program. Actually, Darren, I need to talk to you about a class I’m going to TA in the summer ...”

I watched in awe as Kelly skillfully pulled Darren aside to give Cal and me privacy. I blinked over at Cal, which made him laugh.

Cal was dark-haired, bearded, and tall. He had an easy smile, and when he chuckled, I could tell he was probably a decent guy.

“Well, I guess it’s just us now,” Cal said. “Kelly said your name was Grace?”

“That’s right.”

“Actually, I have a confession to make. I recognized you before Kelly told me your name.” His eyes crinkled. “I’m a huge Blades fan, you see.”

I blushed. “Oh.”

Seeing my reaction, he held up his hands. “Sorry, is that not kosher? I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. But I know that you and Carmichael were dating and that you’re Coach Dallas’s daughter ...”

I smiled grimly. “I guess that’s what I get for dating somebody famous.”

Cal spun the straw in one of the water glasses sitting on our table. “So you and Brady aren’t together, though, right?”

“No, we’re not.”

Cal seemed to take that as an invitation to flirt. I didn’t mind, really. I knew that Kelly meant well in trying to get my mind off Brady. And Cal seemed like a decent guy.

When he started asking me questions about the Blades, though, I felt myself getting tense.

“I mean, what’s it like? Being around the team? Does your dad talk strategy with you?” Cal asked.

Is he more interested in me because of the Blades or because I’m a woman?I wondered.

“My dad usually keeps the nitty gritty to himself. My mom doesn’t like when he brings work home,” I said.

“That makes sense. I’d bet you and your mom get tired of hearing about hockey sometimes.” Cal chuckled. “I used to play as a kid, but I was never very good. Which is why I ended up in academia. I’m hoping to get tenure in the next few years.”

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