Page 129 of Stick Side
This wasn’t a date. It couldn’t be a date. She needed to make that clear. Both to herself and to him.
“We’ll see,” Nolan responded noncommittally as he led the way toward the entrance to the exhibit.
They spent a couple of hours working their way through the museum. Melody had never been, so she found herself drawn to both the permanent and temporary collections. Every artist had their own unique flair, but the displays were bold and thought-provoking overall. It was a cultural immersion that she enjoyed very much.
She had a great time both observing the art and hearing Nolan’s take on it. Who would have thought he had such an eye for artistry?
“Are you still up for some Mexican food to cap off our evening?” Nolan asked as they were putting their coats on and preparing to venture back outdoors.
Melody couldn’t stop a laugh from escaping her. “Definitely,” she assured. “After all of the food art featured in that last exhibit, I’m feeling kind of ravenous.”
Nolan grinned in shared good humor. “How are tacos for you? I was doing some research earlier and there’s a well-rated taco place not too far from here.”
“That sounds great,” Melody consented. Guacamole was calling her name.
With a little help from their cellphone maps, they found the restaurant without too much trouble. To say it wasn’t what they were expecting was putting it mildly.
“Are you still up for this?” Nolan asked as they made their final approach.
Melody understood why he was asking. The restaurant looked like a hole in the wall. And yet, the aromas escaping through the front door were just short of heavenly.
“I’m game if you are,” Melody replied. “I mean, if worse comes to worst, we’re both medical professionals with up-to-date CPR training, right?” She was mostly joking, but not fully since the place really did look a little dilapidated.
Nolan rubbed the back of his hand against his forehead and chuckled lightly before reaching out to pull open the front door. “There is that,” he affirmed as he held the door for her. “I mean, I wouldn’t say no to a little mouth-to-mouth, but I’d rather it not be because I needed to be resuscitated.”
Melody smiled but rolled her eyes when Nolan angled his head over his shoulder to wink at her.
Things didn’t improve once they stepped through the front door into the restaurant proper. Nothing matched, the wallpaper was peeling, and the tables were all scratched up. To call the place shabby chic would be a great compliment. And yet, nearly all the tables were filled with seemingly happy patrons—none of whom were displaying overt signs of food poisoning.
A hostess arrived quickly and led them to one of the few empty tables. “I’ll give you a few minutes,” she said before pouring them each a glass of water and leaving two simple laminated menus on the table.
Melody perused the offerings, quickly deciding on a traditional beef steak taco with a soft blue corn shell. And an extra side of guacamole. She looked around the restaurant as she waited for Nolan to make his selection.
Her attention caught on a small television screen behind the bar. From her angle, she had an almost unobstructed view of it. And wouldn’t you guess, it was tuned to the Challengers game.
Nolan must have followed her gaze because he whistled when the game coverage showed Ben carrying the puck up the ice, deking around the opposition, and making a flawless straight-line pass to Kyle Knight, who didn’t waste a second before snapping the puck into the net.
“I have to give the man credit,” Nolan commented, confirming her suspicion. “He’s a great hockey player. The way he dealt with the pregnancy scandal was also very classy.”
Melody turned her head to look at Nolan. “Did you watch the press conference he gave?” she asked curiously.
“Yeah, I looked it up after you told me about it,” he revealed. “I couldn’t help but want to see it all for myself.”
Melody nodded in understanding. She could appreciate that.
“Especially after that picture of you and me found its way into the media,” he added with something of a look of awe on his face.
Melody squirmed uncomfortably. She’d been so caught up in her upset over the tumultuous turn her relationship with Ben had taken that she’d somehow overlooked the way that Nolan must have felt finding a picture of himself in the paper, linked to her relationship with Ben. Talk about behaving like a bad friend.
“I’m so sorry about that, Nolan,” she apologized. Honestly, how could she not have thought to check in on him when theirpicture had landed in the paper? She felt awful. She prided herself on being thoughtful and considerate, so it definitely stung to feel like she’d dropped the ball.
Nolan brushed her apology aside. “I won’t lie,” he teased, “there are far worse things than finding yourself touted as a more appealing romantic option than a professional athlete.”
Nolan gave her a winning smile that did much to assuage her guilt.
“I must say, though,” Nolan continued, “I was kind of blown away when he said his lawyer had ordered a paternity test to lay all doubts to rest, and he could guarantee he wasn’t the father because only one woman had caught his interest since moving to Chicago, and he would never disrespect her by stepping out on her with someone else.” He raised his eyebrows as he finished recounting.
“Can I assume he was talking about you?” Nolan asked directly.
