Page 88 of Grumpy Darling

“Well, I’m always around to hang.”

“How about Saturday night? Want to grab dinner?”

“Dinner?” I practically choked on the word. Had Damien Stone just asked me out? Bonnie was convinced this outfit and the interview would catch his eye, but I hadn’t expected either of them to work their magic so soon. Was he really asking me out? Or did he simply want to hang out as friends? How was I supposed to know the difference?

“Yeah,” he continued. “I know we have a game in the afternoon, but I’m always starving after we finish.”

“You want to get dinner together? Like a date?”

“Yes, like a date.” He chuckled. “If that works for you?”

“Uh...” My voice trailed off as I wondered what Grayson would say. I wasn’t sure why I wanted his opinion. I didn’t need his permission or approval to respond to Damien, and this should have been the easiest question and answer to happen on this bench all evening. So, what was stopping me from saying yes?

“Unless, of course, you’re already spoken for,” Damien said.

“Spoken for?” My attention snapped back to him, and I saw he was looking across the ice. “What do you mean?”

“You and Grayson . . .”

“Me and Grayson, what?”

“You guys are close . . .”

“We’re just friends.” It was the same response I always gave, so why did it sound like I’d answered too quickly? Why did it sound like I was lying?

“I know, I know.” Damien nodded. “Grayson already told me. He was pretty adamant there was nothing going on between you. But you guys are so close these days, I wanted to check with you too.”

Grayson was “adamant”? Just how adamant were we talking? Hearing confirmation of his all-too-platonic feelings should have been the final push I needed to accept Damien’s invitation. But still, I wavered.

“I probably can’t do Saturday night,” I said. “The boys are signing their letters of intent after the game...”

“Sunday then?”

I was shocked by how interested he sounded. But my reluctance was even more surprising. It was just dinner, and this was all part of my plan. Date Damien, kiss him, tick it off my bucket list and break the silly crush I’d developed on my best friend. I was supposed to want this. I was frozen though, unable to just say yes.

Damien must have noticed my hesitation because he eventually broke the silence. “Or whenever works best for you. Think about it and let me know, okay?”

There was nothing to think about. The right answer was clear. But I found myself nodding gratefully in reply.

He smiled and gestured to my notebook. “Anyway, I hear you’ve got some questions for me?”

I felt guilty for not giving him an immediate response about the date, but the ease with which he moved on reminded me why I’d always liked Damien. He was so carefree as a kid, and it seemed he’d retained that cheerful, lighthearted personality as he grew up. If I could keep up my newfound confidence around him, I knew a date with him would be a breeze.

“Right, yes.” I cleared my throat and dived back in, relieved to be off the topic of dinner dates, at least for now.

As we worked through the interview, I nodded along with all his answers and laughed when he cracked jokes. He knew all the lines toSuperbad, and his idea of a perfect date was rock climbing. He casually admitted to being a boxers and boobs man, and that his first kiss was under the bleachers during a football game. He was fun to talk to and had no qualms about answering my intrusive questions. It was entertaining, interesting, and fun. Like catching up with an old friend was supposed to be.

“Are you sure you’ve got everything you need?” Damien asked when we were done. The interview had flown by.

“Yeah, that’s everything,” I said. “Thanks, Damien.”

“Great. I better rejoin the team. I’ve got to earn my spot here after all.”

He gave me a friendly smile before skating off. It was only as I watched him go that I realized I still hadn’t answered his date invitation. I’d had plenty of time to think it through while we were talking. How could I have let him skate off without responding?

What was wrong with me? What was I thinking? Had I really just let that opportunity pass me by?

I needed help, and I reached for my phone as I packed away my notebook.

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