Page 10 of Cross Checks

Hank took my hand. “Kind of.”

We laughed and hugged. Snow started to fall. I pointed up at the sky. “If we stay here too long, we might turn into two snowmen.”

“Would that be so bad as long as we were in each other’s arms?”

I took a deep breath. “This is a little dangerous if you’re going to be such a romantic, Hank.”

“I’m a firefighter. Danger’s my middle name,” he reminded me.

“You’ve got a point there. I’m not sure what to say. I…uh…hoped something like this might happen, but it seemed beyond my wildest dreams.”

“Yeah, I get that. I’m there, too, but maybe…we should say goodnight for tonight?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Being a guy, I knew it would be easy to end up in bed together, but I knew I liked Hank a lot and had wild dreams of a possible future. If we were going to consider that, it seemed a little early to hop in bed.

“I think that’s good,” I finally answered. We shared another kiss before I said, “You…damn, I can’t even talk. Let’s just say I think I’m incredibly lucky to be right here with you in this place at this time.”

“Same here, Chase.”

We kissed one more time. “Does this mean I get to see you again soon?”

“Of course. One more kiss, and we’ll exchange numbers and then call it a night. I’ve got an early morning at the station tomorrow.”

“And I’ve got a morning practice,” I said. “Let’s hope I can focus.”

He laughed and kissed me again. “You’ll find a way.”

Chapter4

Hank

The memory of kissing Chase outside Lou’s lingered on my lips while I tidied up my apartment for a private dinner. Instead of going out somewhere for a date, I invited him over to my house to be away from the watchful eyes of our small town.

It was a Saturday evening, and I was nervous. The living room's surfaces were clean since I’d dusted them twice already, but that didn’t stop me from going over it all one more time.

I spent hours in the kitchen, trying to assemble a meal that might impress Chase. The aroma of fresh garlic and herbs from my baking lasagna filled the air while I set the table. I placed candles in the center and lit the wicks.

A soft knock at the front door made my heart pound. I rushed to open it. With a shy grin, Chase stood there looking good enough to eat.

He wore a casual button-up shirt that stretched in just the right places across his muscular chest and broad shoulders. I swallowed hard, remembering the body that lurked beneath the clothes.

I leaned in for a quick kiss and then said, “Come on in,” as I stepped aside to let him enter. “I’ve been looking forward to this since we set the date.”

“Me, too,” Chase admitted. “Thanks for inviting me.”

He pulled a bottle of wine from behind his back. “Thank you so much,” I responded. “Would you like a glass of it while we wait for dinner to finish in the oven?”

I also had an ulterior motive for cracking into the wine. I hoped that it would help calm my nerves.

After I poured each of us a glass, I held mine aloft. Chase lifted his, and our glasses clinked.

“Cheers,” we declared simultaneously, and I swallowed an entire mouthful of the ruby liquid.

In the lasagna’s remaining baking time, we talked about dreams for the future. Our conversation was still a little awkward and hesitant, but the more we talked, the more we both began to relax.

Chase suggested, “I’ve always wanted to coach kids someday. I’d love to share my passion for the sport with them.”

“Really?” I asked, genuinely intrigued. The thought of Chase working with kids sounded perfect. He was both laidback and genial. I was confident they would love learning hockey from him.

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