Page 46 of Pucking Fate

“I…you…wow, Maya.”

The fact that he can’t speak in a complete sentence instantly boosts my confidence and makes me smile. “Thanks, I guess? Anyway, I appreciate you staying over tonight. I shouldn’t be home too late.”

“Good,” Christian replies. “I mean, I’m glad you’re not planning to stay out late on a first date.”

“Uh-huh,” I mutter. “Finley, bath and bed by nine, even if I’m not home, okay?”

Our son looks at Christian, who raises a single blond eyebrow before he says, “Yes, ma’am.”

Ma’am is a new one that I assume is Christian’s influence.

Going over to him, I place a kiss on Finley’s forehead, leaving behind a lipstick stain. “Love you. Behave.”

“I will,” he agrees.

“Oh, I know you’ll behave,” I say to Finley. With a wink and whisper, I tell him, “I was talking to Christian.”

Both guys grin at me before I wave goodbye, grabbing my purse and keys on the way out the door.

I drive myself to the restaurant Spencer chose, rather than have him pick me up and encounter the hockey player in my house. The nervous flutters in my belly grow stronger with each mile.

The last time I had a date was so long ago, years ago, with Christian.

While I barely know Spencer, he’s probably the least intimidating man I could’ve picked for the first one getting back on the horse. Even Preston likes the goalie, and Preston doesn’t like anyone.

It feels good to be wanted; for Spencer to be interested in me. He seems like a nice guy, so I’m not sure why I’m so nervous.

If that’s even what I’m feeling.

I guess I’m also a little sad, as if going on this date, moving on with another man, might close the chapter on Christian for good.

That’s what I want, though, so I’m not sure why the thought nearly brings me to tears.

When I arrive at the restaurant, I’m a little taken aback by how fancy it is. Spencer picked one of the nicest restaurants around, and I suddenly feel underdressed. At least I wore a dress and not jeans that would be way too casual.

Inside, the place is all warm lighting and polished wood, with white tablecloths and soft music playing in the background from a man sitting at a piano. It’s intimate, classy, and definitely not the type of place I’m used to going to with Preston and Finley on the rare occasions we would go out to dinner. Preston hated the attention, and Finley is a picky eater, so takeout was usually a better option for us when nobody wanted to cook.

I spot Spencer at a table for two right away. He stands up when he sees me, a broad smile on his face. He’s certainly not underdressed. The tall, lean goalie looks good in his blue suit, but he also has a tight smile on his handsome face that makes him look almost as nervous as I feel.

“Hi Maya,” he says in greeting. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you,” I say, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “You look pretty great yourself.”

He pulls out my chair for me, and I sit down, still trying to shake off the nerves. It’s just one date. It doesn’t mean it’s the beginning of anything, or necessarily the end of anything either.

“I’m glad you came,” Spencer says as he takes his seat across from me. “Even if it was just to get a jersey from me.”

“Me too,” I admit with a smile. “But I’m not just here for the jersey.”

“Good,” he replies. “And the jersey is in my truck, so don’t leave without it.”

“I won’t, thank you. Finley will be so excited,” I tell him. “And I should warn you right now that it’s been a long time, years, since I went on a date.”

“I don’t do this much either.” He gives me a shy smile, and for a moment, it feels like we’re both able to relax a little bit.

We start with the usual small talk—what we’ve been up to this summer, hockey, living in the area. It’s a simple, easy conversation.

By dessert, a raspberry cheesecake I can’t resist trying, the conversation deepens into how life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will, but we should still be thankful for what it gives us.

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