Page 9 of To Tell the Truth
"Hi."
Fletcher reached for her hand as she got closer and pulled her in for a peck on the cheek. It was kind of like last night and somehow much better. He smelled like some woodsy cologne and it was delicious. Then he pulled away and smiled down at her before turning to his car and opening the door.
"A Land Rover?" she asked as he helped her in.
"I'm a professional hockey player now, you know."
"I'm aware."
He gave her a teasing smile and closed the door behind her and he jogged around to the other side. And of course, she had to check out his ass in those shorts. There was something about a hockey butt -- and especially his hockey butt -- that no woman could resist.
Fletcher climbed in and closed his door, giving her a good look over in a way that made her feel hot and scandalized at the same time.
"You really look great," Fletcher said. "I'm glad we were able to catch up before you left."
She smiled. "Me too."
Samantha really did mean it. She suddenly felt calm in his presence like she didn't need to worry about what she was wearing or over thinking texts. She was just going to stay in this little moment for awhile and not worry about all the rest of it.
Catching up with Fletcher was going to be a good idea.
"So," he said as he brought the Land Rover to life. "Do you want to do artsy fartsy stuff or the touristy Hollywood thing?"
She should say the art stuff and sound mature or something, but she really wanted to do the Hollywood thing. After all, it's not every day that she was in southern California.
"Actually, I was just trying to sound sophisticated or something," Fletcher said. "Please don't say artsy fartsy."
She snickered. "Well, I guess we can do the touristy stuff."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, definitely."
He pulled his fist in and gave her one of those "yes" things he used to do when she told him he got a math problem right. And then he put his car in drive and pulled away from the curb.
And as he drove away from the hotel and the beach, Samantha's eyes weren't on the scenery or the palm trees. They were on him.
Chapter Five
Fletcher couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun with a woman.
Being with Samantha was just nice, although calling it "nice" felt stupid because it was more than that. Comfortable? That was probably a better word for it.
He was surrounded by California and hockey, but Samantha was something that wasn't either of those things. She reminded him of Duluth and winter and sitting in his parents' dining room drinking hot chocolate and eating her cupcakes.
And today, she reminded him of who he used to be back then. Fletcher watched her as they wandered past stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theater where the Oscars were held every year.
"I'm kind of disappointed."
Fletcher had started to freak out at that point. Was he disappointing her? Because she was definitely not disappointing him.
"I mean, look at this place! They hold the Oscars in a mall."
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Well, it's an outdoor mall."
She rolled her eyes and gave him a smile that made him feel warm all over.
The whole time he was with her was like that. The warm feeling never went away. Even now as they were wandering around Santa Monica and there was a breeze off the beach, he felt cozy and content.
