Page 20 of Fake-Off with Fate
I raise my hand in Peggy’s direction. “I think I’ll take my supper home.” But then I remember the bear family in my yard. If I go home, I might have to eat in the car. I briefly consider checking into a hotel until they go into hibernation.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Ashlyn says.
“You don’t think calling me a man whore is offensive?”
“Not you, personally,” she says. “Professional sports figures in general. The single ones anyway.”
“Being that I am a professional hockey player,andsingle, it seems like you’re grouping me in there.”
A slow smile crosses Ashlyn’s face. The result is enough to cause me to nearly gasp like a heroine in a romance novel. Ashlyn Thompkins is beautiful. Her green eyes sparkle with such humor that I can’t help but feel like I’ve been a little thin-skinned regarding her comment. Hockey playersdohave a reputation, and for a reason.
“I’m sorry,” Ashlyn says. “I didn’t mean to cause insult. I just don’t think a kissing booth is a smart idea in today’s day and age.”
Peggy comes over and puts our food down in front of us. She tells Ashlyn, “I gave you extra coleslaw. I know how much you like it.”
Once she leaves, Ashlyn explains, “I don’t want anyone to get sick.” Then she reaches across the table and picks up the discarded paper from both of our straws before crumpling it up and tucking the wad under her plate.
“Germ-a-phobe?” I ask.
“Half the world is walking around with masks on these days,” she says. “I just think we’re all being a bit more careful.”
The cheeseburger looks amazing, and I’m suddenly ravenous. “How about we call a truce?” I ask.
“Being that I didn’t know we were fighting, I’m good with that.” She picks up a french fry and bites into her fish. She groans with such intensity I can’t help but wonder what her response to being kissed would be like.
After taking another bite of her food and enjoying it as much as she did her first, she asks, “So, you’re not married. Are you seeing anyone?”
I shake my head slowly. “No. You?”
She grunts loudly. “Not even a little bit. I don’t know what dating is like in New York, but Los Angeles is a real zoo. The lastguy I went out with left me for a casting director who claimed to want to hire him for a big-time soap opera.”
“Did she?” I ask.
Ashlyn shakes her head. “Last I heard, he was doing soft-core porn.” She snorts when she sees the look on my face. “I’m pretty sure if I ever want to get married, I’m going to have to move to Utah or something.”
“According to my coach,” I tell her, “Maple Falls is Cupid’s headquarters, and no one is safe here.”
“I suppose that’s good news for the single ladies who live here, but that doesn’t do me any good.” With a pointed look, she adds, “People in Maple Falls don’t need me to organize their closets.”
“But people in Utah do?” I tease.
“Let’s hope.” Her smile really is beautiful. Ashlyn Thompkins has a good sense of humor, and even though we got off to a rocky start, I’m starting to like her.
“I might know of a single hockey player or two in LA, if you want me to set you up,” I offer.
She fakes a full body shiver. At least I think it’s fake. “I thought we’d already decided that sports figures were too free with their charms for my tastes.”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
“What about you?” she asks. “Are you looking?”
It seems like the whole world has been talking about Allegra and me, so I’m surprised she can’t guess the answer to that question. “Do you know anything about me?”
“I know you’re named Jamie and that you’re the captain of the Ice Breakers.” Then she takes a bite of her fish and moans again. I make a mental note to order the fish and chips next time I come in here.
“My girlfriend left me for someone else,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “I don’t understand people who cheat. It’s degrading to them as well as the person they’re cheating on.”
