Page 21 of Behind the Net

CHAPTER12

PIPPA

The walkto the dog park is silent and tense. When we arrive, Jamie scans the fenced-in area before his shoulders relax and his frown lessens. I wave and smile at a few people before I let Daisy off the leash to greet the other dogs.

Does he not trust me with Daisy? I chew my lip as I run through possible reasons he came with us. The guy’s been avoiding me for a week.

“This park is really safe,” I tell him. He’s leaning on the fence, arms folded over his chest, with a scowl on his face. “I’d never bring Daisy somewhere unsafe.”

His scowl softens. “I know. I trust you.” The corner of his mouth twitches, and his eyes almost look… amused? “I wouldn’t have asked you to move in if I didn’t trust you.”

I make a dubious face. “You didn’t ask.”

He coughs and looks away. Was that a laugh? It’s so hard to tell with him.

“We should get to know each other better.” His eyes are back on me, and it’s tough to look away. They’re the color of Douglas fir trees. Of the earthy green moss in Stanley Park. Of a deep green rock at the bottom of a creek.

“Um.” I blink stupidly in surprise, feeling shy. “Okay. What’s your favorite food?”

His eyebrow goes up. “That’s your question?”

“I had zero warning you were going to want to talk today, or I would have prepared a list of questions.” My smile turns teasing.

The corner of his mouth twitches again, and his eyes almost look soft. I like this look on him.

He watches me for a long moment. That girl who demanded her job back surfaces, and I stare back at him.

“Christmas dinner,” he says, still watching me in that unnerving way that makes my stomach flutter. “Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli casserole.”

“Cranberry sauce?”

He nods. “Homemade, not canned.”

“Of course.” I smile. “Are you crazy about Christmas?”

“Not really, but my mom loves it.” He looks over at Daisy, who has a stick in her mouth and is trying to bait another dog to chase her. “We spend most of the time cooking together and watching Christmas movies.”

The way he says it makes me think that he just likes seeing her happy.

He slides a glance at me, studying my face. “I liked those enchiladas you made, too.”

Pride fills my chest at a job well done. “Great. I’ll make them again.”

Daisy sprints past us, chased by a golden retriever, having the time of her life, and I smile at Jamie. His mouth twitches as our eyes meet.

Every time I smile, his mouth twitches. That realization makes my stomach warm and liquid, and I smile wider at him.

Maybe he’s not such an asshole, after all.

“Next question.” My hands are getting cold, so I tuck them into my jacket pockets. “Why hockey?”

Looking around the dog park, his eyes narrow as he puts his answer together. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start at the beginning.”

He snorts. “I got my first stick at two years old.”

“Wow.” My eyebrows shoot up. “Your dad’s a big hockey fan?”

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