Page 17 of Romancing the Grump
“Pretty obvious, yeah,” Lucy says. “But why are you trying to avoid it? A crush is a good thing, right?”
“Lucy. Do you remember the story about the guy who complained about his parking space? We’re talking about the same guy. How rude was that?” I pull into the Summit parking lot and ease to a stop beside an enormous black bus.
“I mean, rude,” Lucy says. “But I think that makes him seem like a challenge. And when have you ever backed down from one of those?”
“In the tenth grade when you told me you had a crush on Grady Peterson.”
Lucy is silent for a beat before saying, “What? Youalsohad a crush on him?”
“I had for months.” I shift the car into park but keep the engine running. “But you were so earnest. You almost seemed like you were going to cry when you told me how you felt, so I just…decided you were more invested, and I should back off.”
“That’s so dumb. I never even talked to him! You would have, and he totally would have liked you back.”
“Meh. It wouldn’t have lasted. After how mean he was to his little sister at the homecoming dance, I would have dumped him.”
“Oh my gosh! I remember that. He made her cry in front of all her friends, but I can’t remember why.” Through the phone, I hear Lucy walking, then make out the sound of her keys jangling before she pushes open the squeaky wooden door of the old house she lives in. The house Iusedto live in.
She lives there on her own now—which is the strangest thought. A year ago, she and Audrey and I all lived in Silver Creek together. Now Audrey is married to a movie star, and I’m living ninety minutes away in Harvest Hollow, leaving Lucy all alone.
She’s fine—I know she’s fine. And she knew better than anyone how much I needed a fresh start, but hearing that old squeaky door still makes my heart hurt a little bit.
“Who cares why?” I say. “It proved Grady Peterson wasn’t worth our time. That’s all that matters.”
“So, is this hockey player worth your time? Be objective for a minute. Even though he grumbled about his parking space, do you think he’s a nice guy?”
I sink back into my seat, thinking of the way Nathan stood up for me when Dominik ran his mouth. “The jury’s still out on that one. But my instincts are telling me he probably is.”
“Tell me what he looks like,” she prompts.
I bite my lip, immediately conjuring the image of Nathan looming over my desk, shower-damp and smelling delicious. Nathan gliding across the ice, somehow looking powerful and graceful all at the same time. Nathan washing dishes in Felix’s kitchen.
“You should see him, Lu. He’s…I don’t know. Massive, for one. All the guys are. So much muscle and broad shoulders, but he’s so tall, too. And I know I’ve never liked guys with long hair, but on him, it just works, and…oh man.” I sigh. “I really do have a crush, don’t I?”
“Sounds like it. Which could be fun, you know? Maybe just let it be and see what happens?”
“Maybe. But it could be risky, right? I just started this job.”
“Whatever. People date coworkers all the time. It alwaysmatters in books more than it matters in real life,” Lucy says. “Just be a little more careful than usual, but I wouldn’t sweat it. You won’t let it mess up your job.”
Assuming there’s even anitto consider. Which there probably isn’t, so it doesn’t matter.
“How are things in Silver Creek?” I ask, ready to stop talking about my own silly problems. I glance through the rearview mirror to see Appies’ support staff loading piles of gear into the bottom of the bus. I still haven’t seen any players, so I don’t feel a need to hurry.
“Lonely,” Lucy answers. “But okay. It’s nice having Mom and Dad back in town.” Our parents spent the last two years of their retirement traversing the country in an RV, but they’ve finally returned home, something that made it that much easier for me to leave Lucy and move here.
“And work is good?” I ask, hoping to hear a little more from her so I can truly gauge how my sister is doing.
“Same as usual, though we did just get a new attending who literally looks just like Patrick Dempsey in his Dr. McDreamy phase. Pretty sure he’s married and has like twelve kids or something, but he’s definitely improving the scenery.”
Okay.She sounds okay.
“I miss you, Lu.”
“Miss you too. Keep me posted? And I’m just saying, I wouldn’t mind a bus selfie with you and all the Appies.”
“For you, I’ll see what I can do.”
By the time I say goodbye and disconnect the call, it seems like most of the team has made it onto the bus, so I hurry out of my car and retrieve my suitcase from the trunk. I wheel it over to the rest of the accumulating travel gear, then make my way to the bus door.
