Page 81 of Body Shot

CLAUDIA: Am I keeping you from something? You can go.

ANDERS: Nah. I’d rather talk to you.

CLAUDIA: I have a meeting in fifteen minutes anyway, so then you can go do your thing.

ANDERS: Only ten days until I can kiss you.

CLADIA: I’ve been counting the minutes.

ANDERS: How many is it?

CLAUDIA: This morning it was 14,408.

ANDERS: Damn, I thought you were kidding.

CLAUDIA: One thing you should know about me—I never joke about math.

God, she’s cute.

ANDERS: Noted.

CLAUDIA: By the way—my parents are beyond excited about the game.

ANDERS: I’m glad. And I can get more tickets if you want to bring more friends or family.

CLAUDIA: Nah, just my parents. I haven’t had time to see most of my friends since I got back, so not many people know my boyfriend plays in the NHL.

ANDERS: Am I your dirty little secret?

CLAUDIA: Yes. Absolutely. My VERY dirty little secret.

ANDERS: LOL I plan to be as dirty as possible when I see you.

CLAUDIA: And I’m so looking forward to it. Anyway, I have to pee before my meeting. I’m heading to a bar after work to watch the game because it’s blacked out here.

ANDERS: That’s bullshit.

CLAUDIA: Agreed. My dad is trying to figure out what app we can pay for to get the games, but until then, I’m happy to eat wings while watching the game.

ANDERS: That’s a nice visual.

CLAUDIA: I miss you.

ANDERS: I miss you too. Talk later.

CLAUDIA: Play good—and don’t get hurt.

ANDERS: One more thing—you know I occasionally fight, right?

CLAUDIA: Oh…I never thought about that. Johan isn’t much of a fighter, though he mixes it up once in a while. Are you a goon?

A goon?

I chuckle.

Not hardly.

But I’ve been known to throw a punch now and again.