Page 18 of Fated Shot

“It’s not complicated, don’t overthink it. Actually, don’t even think at all, just do.”

Maybe it isn’t actually that complicated. I like her. I find myself drawn to her constantly, a feeling I’m not familiar with. Exploring a connection isn’t a bad thing, right? This magnetic attraction, despite the havoc it’s wreaking on my body, feelselectric.

There’s another sigh from Penn as a result of yet another non-answer from me. Thankfully, he takes the hint.

“Listen, I won’t bug you about it anymore if you don’t want to talk. I’m meeting Benner for lunch, you wanna join?”

“I think I’m just gonna crash for a few hours, thanks though.”

He nods, “Alright, you good to pop out here?” coming to a stop in front of the Parkside Place complex.

“All good,” I say as I hop out of the truck, grabbing my bag from the backseat, “thanks for the lift.”

I wander into Maplewood as the truck accelerates down the street. Stepping into the elevator, my stomach aggressively grumbles, and I groan, thinking about my empty fridge. Should have bought groceries yesterday. I’m out of my usual routine. Pulling out my phone, I open UberEats and instantly click the reorder button from my favorite panini place. Forty-five to fifty-seven minutes flashes on my screen, my stomach protests with another growl. Fuck.

The moment I step out of the elevator, heading right for my door, I hear a soft gasp and take in the girl in front of me. Curls tucked away behind a pink bandana, her face is on full display. Long lashes look up at me, gloss coats her slightly parted lips, and a shy smile graces her beautiful face.

“Oh, hi.”

A surge of excitement hits me as soon as I hear her voice. I force a breath to let out a “Hey” as steady as I can manage, continuing to walk forward.

“I wanted to say thanks again for picking up and letting me stay over… and charging my phone,” she pauses, thinking for a moment before continuing “... and for the coffee and… well, everything.”

I do my best to hold in my laugh, a difficult task because she’s damn cute when she’s nervous. “Happy to help,” I say, smiling at her.

“I made you these as a thank you.” She juts out her arms to present me with a paper plate filled with the best-looking chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever seen. All of her cookies are thick, a few inches tall, and like nothing I’ve ever tried before.

“You’re a lifesaver,” I let out. Taking the plate from her hands, I grab a cookie and take a giant bite, practically shoving it into my mouth.

It’s actually insane how good it tastes—thick, chewy, dripping with chocolate, and just a hint of salt that tops it off, creating an explosion of flavor in my mouth.

“Mmmm, so damn good,” I say, immediately finishing the last half of the cookie.

A melodic giggle rings in the air as Mia takes a step toward me. Quite literally, the best sound in the world. I pause, myfingers hovering over the stack of cookies as I watch her delicate hand slowly rise toward my face before she hesitates and stops.

“You’ve got some,” she does a little wiping motion on her own cheek.

“Hmm?” I ask, head tilting slightly to decipher what she’s trying to relay.

“You’ve got chocolate on your cheek, silly,” she says, smiling brightly. She rises to her tiptoes, as her thumb sweeps across my face. Her touch is warm, and as soon as she makes contact, I feel the logic start to disengage on command as my body takes over. Her soft hand feels like silk against my skin, and I try to resist the urge to lean into her touch. It takes a whole lot to mask the disappointment I feel when her hand lowers.

Letting my hockey bag slide off my shoulder, I bend slightly to drop the plate of cookies down on top of it. Straightening up, I let Penn’s words give me the pep talk I need.Don’t think, just do.

We’re close enough that I can see the freckles painted across her face and notice the slight flush of her cheeks as our eyes connect. She gives me a soft smile and this time doesn’t break our contact, which is giving me all the courage I need.

I lean forward, raising a hand to gently nudge up her chin, forcing us even closer together. Her eyes are swimming with curiosity, looking over my entire face, but she stays silent. I hear myself ask, “Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?”

She blinks at me once, twice, and a third time as her cheeks turn even deeper pink, but her head forms a small, silent nod.

“Good,” I say, releasing her chin allowing her to drop her gaze to her feet again. I hover my hand on her lower back as I guide her to the elevator, pressing the button. She steps in the moment the door opens and turns so that we’re face to face. She’s doing nothing to hide the continued surprise on her expression, looking at me so innocently. “I’ll text you tomorrow with the details, okay?”

She nods again, the soft “Good luck tonight” reaching my ears just before the doors close. I stand rooted in place for a moment.

I have a date with Mia Cameron.

I asked, she said yes, and I’m going on a date with Mia Cameron.

I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around it. A grin spreads across my face as I grab the cookies and my bag, unlocking the door.

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