Page 17 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“Hey, sorry it took me a few minutes. Traffic is pretty bad downtown for some reason and…”

“Travis?” she interrupted quietly. “Thank you.”

“Oh, um, you’re welcome,” he finished and hesitated. “I would be honored if you felt like coming to see a game again or wanted to wear it. I could get you ring-side tickets – and it’s no pressure – but it would be really nice to see a familiar face in the stands.”

“Maybe I would go again if you were playing.”

“We could see the competition together,” he chuckled. “I’d love to goad a few guys off the ice – especially one or two that threw a punch my way.” And she laughed nervously, touching the necklace and looking at the roses nearby.

“I don’t mean to be weird, it’s just… this is a lot,” she admitted. “It’s completely flattering but not necessary. I would still meet you for mac-and-cheese.”

“I wish you were off tomorrow – or that it was already Friday.”

“I’ll try to catch the highlights of the game,” she hedged. “And I’ll be wearing my necklace, wishing you on, as I field all the customer service questions.”

“That sounds like a plan,” he chuckled. “And I’m serious about the tickets or meeting your family. I could get tickets for everyone if you wanted to bring them or…”

“You really want to meet them?”

“If I’m dating you – yes.”

“My brother is doing a barbecue at the farm this weekend. It’s a bit of a drive, but if you want to meet them – it’s probably going to be pretty laid back. They’re kinda nosy, ask a lot of questions, and will be completely annoying or embarrassing.”

“That sounds perfect, and I guess I should mention that my uncle lives in my house and has taken care of things for a few years now. So, you’ll probably see him Friday night.”

“Oh,” she whispered. “Oh, that’s really nice and normal.”

“That’s me,” he chuckled, sounding embarrassed.

“I adore nice and normal.”

“Oh well, then that’s definitely me,” he volunteered, making them both laugh easily. She was enjoying the conversation between them, and it seemed so easy to share her thoughts or feelings. He never pushed her, never seemed to balk at her feelings or attention, but rather seemed to respect the fact that she wasn’t a pushover.

“Bring your uncle this weekend,” she volunteered. “It can be a family and friends get-together.”

“Then it’s a very strange first date.”

“It would be – but it might be nice.”

“Would we have… a little time alone?” he paused quietly. “I mean, I think it might be healthy for me to avoid kissing my girlfriend, just in case your brothers are bigger than me. I’m not chicken, just smart.” Becca couldn’t help but smile at his comment as her cheeks grew warm at the thought of kissing Travis.

“I suppose when we drove back, perhaps you might be able to sneak a kiss before the evening is over.”

“I would really like that – and it sounds like a perfect evening.”

“Mac-and-cheese combined with nerdiness on Friday, then barbecue on Saturday, followed by a kiss good night,” she replied, recapping the conversation playfully.

“Sounds like heaven – unless you want me to swing by and kiss you good night this evening?”

“Nuh-uh, buster,” she smirked. “This good girl is about to go to bed – and I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“True,” he chuckled. “The evening before game night, I always carb-load and watch a movie to relax my thoughts, so I’m not doing plays in my head all night long.”

“Good idea.”

“Yup. I’ll head home, eat a ton of veggies, pasta, and lean meats until my belly sticks out, then watch Star Wars or Battlestar Galactica…”

“Ah ha, so it’s that kind of nerd, huh?”

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