Page 15 of When I Found You

“Everything I need is in here,” she says, flashing me a smile as she grabs a small purse from a hook near the door.Thump-thump.There goes my heart once again.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her as I escort her out to my truck.

“Thank you, you’re looking pretty handsome yourself,” she replies as we both settle into the truck and I pull out of the parking spot. “Although, I was digging the scruff you were sporting last night,” she adds, reaching out to run the backs of her fingers along my jaw as I pull out into traffic.

“I’m not allowed to have facial hair in the military, so I’m not used to having it. Gets too itchy when I don’t shave every day. I don’t usually let it get that long.”

“Oh,” she says.

“Is that a problem?” I ask, a little humor in my question.

“A total deal breaker,” she deadpans, a smirk on her face.

“Well, in that case, I guess I’ll just stop right here and turn us around. Wouldn’t want to force you to go out with me now.” I wink at her, slowing to a stop due to the red light up ahead of us.

“No need for that now,” Stacey replies as she slips her hand into mine.

She tells me about her day and all the errands she accomplished as I drive us downtown.

“I figured we could just park, then barhop our way around Broadway. Maybe eat at one of the food vendors or bars once we’re hungry. How does that sound?”

“Perfect,” she tells me.

I pull into a parking lot and pay the attendant, then find a spot to park. With traffic, it took us about forty-five minutes toget down here, so we’re still a little on the early side, but it will give us more time to be together.

I jump out of the driver’s side and walk around to open Stacey’s door, offering her my hand to help her down. She accepts and slides down carefully, holding onto the hem of her dress to keep it from riding up and giving me a show.Not that I wouldn’t mind that show.

“Which way do you want to head?” I ask as we make our way out of the parking lot and onto Broadway.

“Let’s head this way,” she says, pointing to our right. “Most of the bars are down here a couple blocks.”

I entwine our fingers together and we walk down the street amongst the crowds of other tourists and the regular Saturday night bar crowd.

“There must be something going on at the arena tonight,” I comment as we walk down the sidewalk.

“I think there’s a Preds game tonight.”

“Do you ever go watch them?”

“Occasionally. Hockey has never been my thing, but when Reese is in town and the Eagles come and play, I usually tag along with her.”

“Sounds like a fun time.”

“Now that she’s really into the games, it’s a blast to go with her to them. I went the other night when the Eagles were in town.”

We continue walking down toward the bars, which all happen to be near the arena where the hockey game is going on. They have a bunch of things set up outside for the fans to have fun and pre-game before the game. There are food trucks lined up, bouncy houses for kids, a photo-op area that looks like the locker room, and some shooting and puck passing obstacle games.

“Wanna go try your hand at shooting a hockey puck?” I ask Stacey as we walk past all the games and people mingling outside the arena.

“Sure, why not,” she agrees and we head over to one of the games. The line is a couple people deep, so we only have to wait for a few minutes before it’s our turn.

“How about a fun little bet,” I suggest as we step up to the line.

“And what’s that?” she asks as she smiles up at me.

“If I make more goals than you in the thirty-second timer, I get a kiss from you.”

“And if I win?” Humor laces her voice. “What do I get?” she asks, leaning on the hockey stick the attendant handed her and looking up at me.

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