Page 21 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

Reid leans against one of the cars, his playful expression giving way to something more serious. “You know how much I love cars, Oakley. I’m still working on my collection.”

“Speaking of cars,” I say, glancing around, “where’s Charlie? Isn’t his job to cart you guys wherever you ask him?”

“Charlie’s got the day off,” Reid replies with a smirk. “I’ll be driving us today.”

“Really?” I feign surprise. “I didn’t even know you knew how to drive.” Grinning, I quickly call, “Shotgun!”

“Hey, no fair!” Gray protests with a laugh, but I can tell he doesn’t really mind.

As we pile into one of the sleek vehicles, I feel a thrill of anticipation ripple through me. With Reid at the wheel, we pull out of the garage and onto the streets, the engine purring beneath us like a contented cat. The conversation flows easily between the three of us, touching on everything from our favorite TV shows to the latest hockey game. As we chat, I can’t help but marvel at how comfortable I feel with these two.

The sun glints off the store windows, forming a dazzling display as we pull into the parking lot of a clothing store. Reid expertly maneuvers the car into a spot at the back, away from prying eyes and potential attention.

“Alright, let’s get you some new clothes,” Gray announces with a grin as he hops out of the car, stretching his long legs.

I follow suit. As I take in the array of clothing through the store window, I’m suddenly overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Inside, my eyes dart from one rack to another, trying to find something affordable but still stylish.

“Remember, Oakley, don’t even look at the price tags,” Reid warns, as if reading my thoughts. “We’ve got you covered.”

“Thanks, but I can still try to be economical,” I reply, a hint of sass in my voice.

“Uh-huh, sure.” Reid smirks. “Now, excuse me for a moment—I need to do something.” He jogs off toward one of the store employees, a young woman who looks starstruck once she sees his face.

I roll my eyes, watching him engage in conversation with her. Classic Reid—always charming and never missing an opportunity to flirt.

I feel a tiny twinge of annoyance before quickly dismissing it. I’m not his girlfriend, and even if I were, I wouldn’t want to be one of those clingy, jealous types.

“Enjoying the show?” Gray teases, catching me staring. His expression says it all—I told you so.

“Very funny,” I retort, forcing my gaze back to the clothing racks. “Let’s just find something for that cooking class, alright?”

“Fine by me,” Gray agrees, his eyes scanning the store as we walk through the aisles together.

We sift through various outfits, pulling out potential options and playfully critiquing each other’s choices. It’s nice to have a moment like this with Gray, free of any tension or drama. Just two friends enjoying each other’s company.

Friends.Why does that word feel so ungenuine?

“Hey, check this out,” Gray says, holding up a cute apron adorned with cartoon vegetables. “This would be perfect for the cooking class.”

“Ha! That’s adorable,” I laugh, imagining myself wearing it while attempting to cook some extravagant meal. “But let’s focus on finding something to wear underneath first.”

“Alright, fair enough,” Gray concedes, returning the apron to its place on a nearby rack.

As we make our way to another section of the store, Gray suddenly stops in his tracks. “Oakley, look at this.” He holds up a stunning blue figure skating dress, its fabric shimmering under the store’s lighting.

My heart skips a beat as memories of my past passion come flooding back. I remember the countless hours spent practicing jumps and spins, the thrill of competition, and the joy of performing for an audience.

“Wow,” I breathe, reaching out to touch the delicate fabric. “I haven’t seen a dress like this in years.”

“I remember watching you at the shows. You used to have all the pretty dresses.”

“Yeah, I did,” I admit, feeling a bittersweet pang of nostalgia. “But that was a long time ago.”

“Still, it’s a beautiful dress,” Gray says, giving me an encouraging smile. “And you never know when you might want to get back on the ice.”

As I run my fingers over the smooth fabric, I can’t help but feel a yearning for the days when figure skating was such a significant part of my life.

“Oakley?” Gray prompts gently, sensing my hesitation.

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