Page 37 of Dating Goals
“You and your sweet tooth,” says Sawyer, kicking me under the table.
“So, you got to admit,” Maggie says, jabbing at me with her hot pink fingernail. “You love Zürich .”
“Beats getting pucks to the head.” I shrug. “But it’s a little loud, you know? And I’m used to small village charm these days.”
“Oh, you mean your little alpine fairy tale?” Maggie teases.
“Grächen.” I let my voice go all dreamy. “Fresh mountain air. Stone cabins. Tiny goats.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “And beautiful women?”
I nearly choke on my coffee. “Where?”
“Everywhere you look!” Sawyer says, raising his mug in a toast.
Maggie gives him a hard stare, and Sawyer timidly sets his mug back down. “Everywhere I look because I’m only looking at MY WIFE! Ha ha!”
Maggie rolls her eyes dramatically, then leans on her elbows to ask me, “Do the locals know you’re a hockey player or think you’re just an enormous tourist?”
“Har har. I’ve actually made a few friends at the local bar, so there.”
Maggie leans closer, perching her chin on her palms. “Oh, do tell.”
“Just some guys that play Jass. It’s a card game. They take all my money, and I get to learn some Swiss German. Which is apparently just German, but a lot more confusing.”
“So they’re giving you lessons or what?”
“Well, I mean, not exactly. The bartender said she’d teach me.”
The minute it slips out, Maggie pounces. “She? Griffin McGregor, ooh la la!”
I groan, knowing where this is headed. “It’s not like that,” I insist. “She’s got a guy she wants to date, and I’m going to help her in exchange for language lessons.”
They both share a look that screams disbelief, then burst into laughter.
“What kind of language exactly?” Maggie blurts out. “Body language?”
“And you’re going to teach her…tonsil hockey?” Sawyer gaffaws.
“Are you two in middle school?” I put my hands up, knowing I’m outnumbered. “Look, she wants to learn how to impress this guy. I’m her dating coach. That’s it.”
If I didn’t love these guys, I’d be terrified. It’s like a two-against-one cage match with an enthusiastic wife and her tenacious husband.
“The best-laid plans, Griff,” Sawyer says, shaking his head. “That’s all I gotta say. Best-laid plans.”
I give him a sarcastic smile. “I can be an adult about this. Try not to faint.”
Sawyer leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. He ticks his chin at me. “What’s her name then?”
The corner of my mouth twitches as I say, “Anika.”
It couldn’t be helped.
Maggie gasps and slams her hand on the table. “You’re crazy about her!” She practically sings the accusation.
“No.”
“Oh yes you are!” She claps her hands and squeals. “You’re grinning ear to ear!”
