Page 24 of Keeper
“Aren’t you the quarterback?”
Ah.I understood it then—she’d been setup with a pro football player. Those guys makewaymore dough than us hockey players. A guy like me never had a shot with a girl as drop-dead gorgeous as her. She was hunting for the big game, wasn’t she?
“No, I’m not a quarterback,” I said.
Ialmostfollowed that up by telling her I was a goalie for the Dallas Devils, just to see if that moved the needle in my favor. But I didn’t want to play the pro athlete card—especially when the back of my card currently read,struggling NHL goaltender in the worst slump of his career.
“Sorry,” she said, “I thought you were someone else.”
Sensing opportunity, I took my shot. “Can I take his place?”
She pretended as if she struggled with the decision. Might’ve been the biggest pump to my ego I’d had in months and man, I’d needed it.
“I’m sorry, no,” she said at last.
I grinned. I had no regrets. “Worth a shot. You’re so beautiful. Anyway, have a good night.”
I pulled the curtains shut and left her alone.
***
Over the blaring beat of the hypnotic music, I thought I heard a feminine voice faintly yell:
“Hey! Wait!”
I was sure I’d imagined it. My mind was playing tricks on me. I kept walking.
“Hey! Guy! Come back!”
There it was again.
Just to makesureI was imagining it, I glanced over my shoulder, not expecting to see a thing.
But there she was. Standing outside her booth, smiling and waving in my direction.
I stopped in my tracks—me?
She waved me over—yes, you!
Well hey,I thought.Maybe my luck’s about to change, after all.
I walked back to her, the confident swagger sneaking its way back into my stride.
“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to be rude.” She slid into the U-shaped booth, making room for me to sit. “You can join me if you really want.”
“Thanks. I’d love to.” I climbed in and offered her my hand. “I’m Tanner.”
“Ainsley,” she said.
Gently, I took her delicate fingers in my hand and gave a small squeeze. I was almost afraid to break her. “Nice to meet you, Ainsley.”
“You too,” she said. “Even though you probably think I’m crazy.”
“Why?”
She grimaced. “Because I told you to go away and then called you right back?”
I smiled. “I’m glad you did. I don’t think you’re crazy.”
