Page 65 of Ice Ice Maybe
“You’re kidding,” I said, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
Zena nodded. “Yep. Apparently, they hit it off after the whole arrest fiasco. And get this, Dad is trying to convince him to move back to California, to take over as head of security for the San Diego area.”
I shook my head, amazed. “Your dad never stops working, does he?”
“Nope,” Zena said with a fond eye roll. “Even getting arrested turns into a networking opportunity for him.” Her phone buzzed, and she grimaced at the screen. “Hmm.”
“Trouble at work?” I asked.
She shook her head. “It’s my best friend, Jing. I haven’t talked to her all week, and she’s wondering what I’ve been doing. I have totally neglected her.”
“I guess we’ve been too busy having fun,” I grinned. “Speaking of work, how come I haven’t heard you mention a single thing about your job or the Sea Lions Foundation the entire week?” I dramatically grabbed her arm, pretending to look scared. “Wait, are you still employed?”
“Gainfully,” she said. “I took the week off. And when I’m on vacation, I disconnect one hundred percent. No emails and no calls unless the building’s on fire. And even if the office goes up in flames, they simply need to tell me if everyone got out safely and if someone brought a hose.”
“I’m impressed,” I said. “You’re the complete opposite of your father.”
“That’s the truth,” she said. “I have no problem delegating. Dad, on the other hand, wants his hands in everything.” She tilted her head toward the bar. “Although right now, the only thing I’d like to get my hands on is a drink. Thirsty?”
“Yes,” I said, walking with her to the bar. Then a mischievous thought crossed my mind. “You know the best part of not pretending anymore?” I pulled her close and kissed her softly. “I can do that.”
“Nothing has changed—you could do that before,” she said.
I smirked. “Yeah, but this time, I mean it.”
“Like I mean this,” she retorted, looking around to make sure nobody was looking, then reaching down to pinch my butt.
I jumped and pretended to be surprised. “Hey, not so rough!”
We both laughed as I poured us two glasses of Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz. We kept to ourselves mostly, except for ten minutes when we chatted with General Manager Steve Barlow and his wife, Daisy, who had flown in for the game. Then, when it was about game time, we took our seats in the front row of the suite. Imagine my shock when Mr. and Mrs. Dalton came over and sat next to us, with Mr. Dalton right beside me.
This should be interesting.
Zena leaned forward to glance past me toward her parents, eyebrows raised. “Wow, actually sitting for the game?”
Mr. Dalton nodded with a rare smile on his face. “It feels good to relax.”
Mrs. Dalton patted his hand affectionately. “Your heart will thank you, dear.”
The lights dimmed around the arena and upbeat music started as the announcer’s voice boomed through the PA for the players’ introductions. The crowd’s energy was at a maximum, and the arena erupted in cheers as the puck dropped at center ice.
Most of the first period was pretty uneventful, no scoring, but things got interesting off the ice when the kiss cam started making its rounds. Couples around the arena were hamming it up for the camera, much to the delight of the fans.
Suddenly, Zena and I were projected onto the big screen. I wiggled my eyebrows playfully before leaning in to kiss Zena. The crowd cheered us on.
“How fun!” Zena said, clapping her hands. “Hey, can we do it again?”
“No, but I know who can,” I said, nudging Mr. Dalton with my arm as the camera zoomed in on him and Mrs. Dalton.
“Yes! Go, Mom! Go, Dad!” Zena said.
But Mr. Dalton looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. A deer caught in headlights as he awkwardly half-smiled at the camera.
The crowd chanted, “Kiss her! Kiss her!” but then started booing when he wouldn’t make a move. When the boos got louder, I couldn’t help myself, leaning closer and blurting out, “Don't be such a wimp! Kiss her!”
Luckily, that did the trick.
Mr. Dalton leaned in and kissed his wife, and everyone in the arena went wild. The crowd had no idea they were cheering for the owner of the opposing team.
