Page 19 of Face Off
“You look like one too,” June adds, and I blow a raspberry on her cheek.
“Pretty sure I wanted to bark when I saw her for the first time,” I say. “It’s fine. Everything’s going to be fine. I’m either going to charm the pants off of her so she has no choice but to like me, or I’m going to annoy her so much, she’s going to demand a trade.”
“Definitely a trade.” Dallas and Maven exchange a look. “Gorgeous, you said?”
“Oh yeah.” Maven nods and grabs a tube of lipstick from her purse. “Hottest woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Why does she have to be a hockey player? Why couldn’t I have met her in a bar? Or in an airport? Or at some charity gala where I could throw a million dollars at whatever environmental cause she’s passionate about so she’d fall in love with me?” I groan. “This is so unfair.”
“Your life is so difficult. Truly, I’m not sure how you get through the day,” Dallas says.
“Some best friend you are,” I huff. “I’m suffering here.”
“You’ll be fine.” He drapes his arm around Maven’s shoulder and brushes his lips across her forehead. “Ready, honey?”
“Hey. Knock it off you two. There are kids around,” I say, covering June’s eyes. “There’s a time and a place for that.”
“Yeah and you’re one of the kids.” Maven sticks out her tongue. “Maybe you’re jealous. You want what we have.”
I burst out laughing. “Christ, woman. You’ve lost your mind. That’s never going to happen. You know I enjoy staying out late with women I won’t see again and fu?—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence in front of my daughter.” Dallas glares at me. “Or I will break your fingers.”
“Sorry.” I hold up my hands in apology. “I’m keeping it G-rated from here on out. Starting with our date with Anna and Elsa. Are you ready, June Bug?”
“Yeah!” June lifts her arms in the air and cheers. “It’s time forFrozen!”
“Third time this week. Bring it on, snowman.”
I turn on the TV and lean back, letting June get comfortable, and I don’t think about Emerson the rest of the night.
SEVEN
EMMY
Unknown Number
Morning, Hartwell. Happy first day of practice.
Me
Who is this?
Unknown Number
Some people have referred to me as pretty.
I think hot was thrown around too ;)
Me
Does using winking faces in your texts normally work on people?
Unknown Number
IDK. I’ve never had to work to get someone to like me.
Me
