Page 10 of Making the Call
“Will I get to see your Mustang? I love classic cars,” Dani hedges.
“Sure. She still has a lot of work left to do, but I’ll show you the progress I’m making,” I say as I pull out of the parking lot. Within minutes, we’re in my driveway.
Once inside, we make our way to the kitchen. I notice Dani takes her time as she takes in my home even more than earlier today. I’m sure her injuries made her preoccupied earlier, but I find myself enjoying her reaction to the view of both Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, and the Olympic mountains from my living room. Her eyes are wide, but she doesn’t give any of her other thoughts away. I pop out to the deck to turn on the grill while she admires the view.
Within minutes, I settle into the kitchen and pull steak, mushrooms, asparagus, and baked potatoes to fix for dinner. I quickly prepare the potatoes and slice the mushrooms. By the time Dani makes it to the island, I’ve already begun chopping the asparagus to steam.
“What can I do to help?” Dani asks cheerfully. “You seem very efficient in the kitchen. Lots of practice?”
“Well, I have to eat,” I say nonchalantly. “If I didn’t cook for myself, I’d either have to go out for every meal, or starve. Being nearly thirty, and on the road a lot, I’d prefer a home-cooked meal.” I point to the barstool at the counter and gesture for her to have a seat.
“You travel for work?” Damn, she picked up on that. I walk out to the grill to start the steak. Dani follows, eagerly awaiting my response.
I might as well be honest with her. “Yeah,” I admit as I return to the kitchen. I place the chopped vegetables into two different pans, one to steam, the other to sauté. “I’ll be traveling a lot of the next few months.” I open the fridge and pull out a beer for myself, and offer one to her. “Beer?”
“Sure.” I quickly pull out an opener and hand her one, after popping the top. She takes a long pull on her beer and instantly has my full attention.What is it about women who aren’t pretentious and are able to relax and enjoy a beer now and then?“Ahhh,” she sighs after her first drink. “I haven’t had this in forever. It’s my favorite.” I smile, knowing that most don’t know Irish Death, or like the dark ale from Ironhorse Brewery in Ellensburg.
“It seems we have something in common.” I set the burners on low and head out to the barbeque on the deck, checking on the progress. When I return, Dani’s sitting at a barstool at the kitchen island.
“Are you sure I can’t help you with anything?” Her ocean-blue eyes widen with disbelief that I’m doing everything.
I shake my head. “Naw, I got this. Have a seat and relax. Dinner will be ready before you know it.”
“You sure know how to spoil me,” she teases, and the smile on her face is infectious. “So, where do you travel?”
“I get to travel all over the country,” I admit. Not that I want to hide what I do for a living, but that usually tends to have certain expectations. I’m enjoying her company and don’t really want it to change.
“That has to be interesting,” she assumes. “Where’s your favorite place to go?”
“I don’t get to see many sights, but when I’m not working, I’ve enjoyed going to New York and Boston. All of New England is actually a great place to visit.”
“Those are some great places.” She takes another pull on her beer before she continues, “I’ve always loved going to New York. I’ve gone there a few times but recently have only gone for work and didn’t get to see much either.”
“Another thing we have in common.” I spend a lot of time in airports but don’t get to see much of the cities I travel to. “I see more of the stadiums as well as hotels, than landmarks.”
Dani cocks an eyebrow over her searing-blue eye and prompts, “Stadiums?” as she leans in on an elbow, resting her chin on her palm.
“I… Uh… Work for the Rainier Renegades. Lots of travel with the team,” I finally admit.
Nothing. No recognition whatsoever. Just a deer in the headlights look.Does she live under a rock?Or does she just not follow sports? Maybe I should give her a hint.“Football?”
“I’ve heard of it. You play?” Her eyes go wide with disbelief as she pulls her chin in and looks me up and down with care.
“I used to.” It’s been so long since I’ve had to explain this. “But not anymore.”
“Oh,” Dani whispers as she pulls her brows together, contemplating. “Why not?”
“Blew out my knee,” I admit as I tap on my left knee.
She looks at me in disbelief. “But you were running this morning. You didn’t seem like there was anything wrong with you.”
“I’m about ninety-five percent recovered, but it won’t last on the field.” I plate the vegetables and motion for her to follow me out to the deck again with a plate in each hand. Once outside, I flip the steak once more, realizing they’re not done. “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium, please,” Dani states. “So… Now you work for the Renegades?”
“Yep.” I realize one steak is done and pull it off and place it on her plate. Then I cover the grill to give the other a few more minutes.
“Wow, that has to be exciting. I’ll admit I’m not one to really watch football, but I’ve lived here all my life and know the Renegades are a good team. Didn’t you guys do really well last season?”
