Page 73 of Time to Shine

“Seriously?”

“Right? I’ll bet I’m twice as attractive now. Those are my friends.” She pointed at three women who were sitting with some of the other guys. “We like to think of ourselves as the gorgeous gals of groundwater.”

Landon laughed, more easily than he usually did. Casey had taken a step back and was watching them with a smile that seemed a bit...off. Landon couldn’t quite figure it out. When Casey noticed Landon staring at him, he said, “You guys want a drink?” He gestured to the table where all the bottles were.

“I’d love a vodka soda,” Kelly said.

Landon nodded. What the hell. “Me too. Thanks.”

Casey left, and Kelly leaned against the railing next to Landon. They were facing one another. “So you guys are the Calgary Outlaws?”

“Most of them, yes.”

“And your name is... Stacks?”

Oh god. He hadn’t even introduced himself. “Landon. Stacks is a nickname. Short for Stackhouse. Hockey, y’know?”

“Landon,” she repeated with a flirty smile. She was very pretty, with long, light brown hair and big blue eyes. Her dark blue dress hugged her curves, and her bare arms looked strong, like she was maybe an athlete herself.

“Do you play any sports?” he asked, and hoped it didn’t sound like innuendo.

“I used to play varsity volleyball,” she said. “Now I mostly do Pilates and distance running. I’m training for a half-marathon.”

They talked about running for a while, because it was something Landon was into as well. He’d like to do a marathon someday, if his body wasn’t a complete trash heap by the time he retired. They talked about Maine and Nova Scotia, and the best places to get fried clams. Landon’s voice was growing hoarse from shouting over the music, but he was enjoying the conversation. He only flinched a little when Kelly’s hand brushed his arm.

“Casey is taking his time with those drinks,” Landon observed after what must have been twenty minutes.

Kelly laughed. “I think he was just trying to leave us alone.”

“Why?” Landon said, before his brain caught up. Jesus Christ. “Oh. I get it.” Heat crept up his neck.

Kelly looked confused, which was understandable.

“Sorry,” Landon said. “I’m not good at this stuff.”

“At talking to girls?” she teased.

“To anyone, really. But, um. I’m not...” He had no idea how to finish that sentence. Interested would sound mean, while into women would be kinder, but would make Casey look like an ass for wasting her time.

“Got it,” Kelly said, saving him the effort. “It’s okay. Too bad, though. You’re hot.”

Landon coughed out a very weird laugh. “I am?”

“Totally. I like tall boys. Your friend is cute too, though.”

“Casey? Yeah, he is,” Landon said without thinking. Stupid vodka.

Her smile shifted from flirty to knowing. “So we have something else in common, maybe?”

He shook his head, and then lied his ass off. “No, not like that. I’m just saying that, like, objectively, he’s attractive.” He attempted a smile. “Just ask him.”

Her gaze shifted toward Casey, who was at the far end of the booth talking to Lee. “Maybe I will.”

Landon’s stomach twisted with something that he refused to acknowledge as jealousy. “How about I get those drinks?” he offered.

“Sounds good. And by the way—” she touched his arm again, briefly “—I like talking to you. It’s okay if that’s all you want to do.”

Something unclenched inside Landon’s chest. “Thanks.”

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