Page 52 of Just One Season
“Me too. Let me help you clean up.” I glance around at the balls and cones.
When we’re done, I walk Lucy to her car and make sure she pulls away safely from the parking lot.
I drive home with a giant smile on my face.
CHAPTER 15
Almost Definitely a Fake Kiss
LUCY
Thursday, October 3
Kellen sits on the edge of the fountain in Old Town Square—the heart of Fort Collins—looking down at Ava, who’s shoving a chocolate sprinkle donut in her mouth. I feel like a bit of a voyeur stopping to watch them, but I can’t help myself. Bear sits at my feet, for once not being a menace to society.
We’re meeting up before heading to Deep Roots Cafe for our first public moment in front of Paul and Savannah.
The moment when we’re supposed to kiss.
Which we agreed to do by committee vote last weekend.
The idea of kissing this man is freaking me out. It’s got my pulse racing a bit faster than it should, and I brushed my teeth for more than the required two minutes this morning.
Here we go.
I approach Kellen and Ava, and when she sees me, she squeals.
“Coach Lucy!” She drops her donut on a napkin and jumps up, then spots Bear and gasps dramatically. “Your dog!!”
I nod down to Bear. “He’s super friendly. Go on and pet him if you want to.”
Ava drops to her knees and holds her hands out to Bear, who licks her enthusiastically. Kellen’s daughter is so darn cute. She’s an exact mix of Kellen and her mom, and the little girl is super friendly and sweet.
“I love the name Bear! But Daddy told me he used to be Waffles?” Ava looks up at me with big blue eyes.
“It was Waffles when I first got here, but he wasn’t listening very well.”
Kellen scoffs gleefully behind Ava, and I shoot him a dirty look.
“Since then he’s been Zeus, Taco, Harry, Prince Harry, and now Bear. But I don’t think he likes the name Bear.” I stop myself from revealing that her father suggested his current name.
“That’s so funny!”
“I’m still trying to find the right name for him. But he keeps changing his mind.”
“Really?” Ava stares with wide eyes. Bear sits and gazes lovingly up at the little girl. “How do you know if he likes the name?”
“Well. If he responds to it. If he seems happy when I say it. I’ll show you.” I clear my throat. “Bear, roll over.”
He doesn’t react to my voice.
“Bear. Do you like your name?” Nothing. “Hello?”
At that, Bear turns to look at me.
Ava bursts into giggles.
“Do you have any good name ideas?”
