Page 85 of The Fake Date Agreement

“Got it,” the kid says with a salute.

The game continues, so I don’t have long to dwell on what Caleb just said.

My girl.

He called me his girl.

I should be outraged about a man laying claim to me like that.

I’m not.

I’d give anything to hear him say that again.

We lose. But only because our opponents work out fast that I’m the weak link, so Caleb spends more time protecting me than scoring. He doesn’t seem to mind getting his ass whooped by a bunch of kids. I don’t mind losing because none of them kill me, and Caleb has such a beautiful smile, I wish he did it more often.

We’re at the park for nearly two hours, and I lose track of how many times Caleb grins. I learn more about hockey than I ever thought I wanted to, and at no point do my eyes glaze over.

“We’re playing in a couple of days,” the coach says when Caleb and I say we have to go. “It’s just a small tournament with the local kids, but it would mean a lot to them if you could come.”

“We have a big game to prep for, but maybe,” Caleb says.

I think this is a case when maybe means no. The coach must know it, too, because his smile dims.

I thought he was having fun today, but maybe he wasn’t. Maybe all along he was thinking of all the practice he was missing by being with me.

“Will it be here?” I ask the coach.

He nods. “Sunday, ten o’clock.”

“I’ll be there,” I say, smiling. “I didn’t think I liked hockey, but this was fun.”

After we say our goodbyes to the kids, who remind us to come back and watch their team, the Lamont Hurricanes, win, we head back to the parking lot.

Caleb is quiet until we’re nearly to his car. “Do you, uh… want to get something to eat?”

Wow. It really sounds like he’s asking me on a date, and I wish I hadn’t already made plans to help Reid with his paper this afternoon.

“Can’t. I have something I have to do later. But thanks for today. It was fun.”

“Sure.” He opens my door, but it’s clear he doesn’t believe me.

“Promise,” I say with a smile. “At no point did I nearly fall asleep on my feet.”

“In case one of the kids took you out?” The barest hint of amusement turns dark green eyes a lighter, warmer shade.

“That too.” I laugh and look away, hesitating to do something I never do. “Maybe…”

“Maybe…” he prompts.

“Maybe we could do the food thing another time,” I blurt out. When he doesn’t respond, I peek at him. “But we don’t have to if?—”

“I want to,” he interrupts. “Why didn’t you want to ask me?”

“I don’t usually do the asking.” I make a face. “Putting myself out there is hard.”

“I know.”

I blink at him, surprised. “Really?You? You knew what you wanted to do since you were a kid and you didn’t let anyone or anything stand in your way.”

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