You Had Me at Hockey (Bears Hockey #2) - Kelly Jamieson Page 0,32
outside is crisp, the city glittering around us as we stroll along Second Avenue, then cut over a block to Third. We approach the entrance of the restaurant, flanked by shrubs sparkling with tiny white lights, a neon sign glowing above the door. The front is all glass windows, the inside shadowy and glimmering with lights and bottles and glass.
The décor is an interesting mix—worn wooden floor, simple wood tables and chairs, contrasting with elaborate crystal chandeliers and heavy velvet curtains separating the bar from the restaurant. Our table is at the window.
“This is nice,” Sara says as she takes her seat, looking out the window at the passing pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
So far, so good.
It’s busy here and the place is buzzy with conversation and music, the clink of cutlery and glass.
“I just want you to know I’m prepared for anything to happen,” I tell her as we pick up our menus.
She laughs. “I’d like to reassure you that the evening will be uneventful, but I don’t know if I should make any promises.”
“Fair.” I grin.
We discuss drinks and food, place our orders, then chat as we drink our old-fashioneds. I don’t drink a lot of cocktails, but this place specializes in them along with a vast array of draft beers.
“This is so good.” Sara licks her lips after tasting her drink.
“I thought you might order something…” I pause.
She lifts an eyebrow. “Something…what?”
“Girly?”
She grins. “I knew you were going to say that. I’m a girl but I’m not into sweet drinks.”
“You like wine.”
“Yes. I love rosé wine! But you know…” She shrugs. “Sometimes you wine, sometimes you booze.”
I burst out laughing.
We talk and joke around more as we eat our meals, both of us opting for seafood—her pan-seared salmon, me ahi tuna medallions. The food is fantastic, Sara keeps me laughing, and we order another round of drinks.
“Did you hear we have a new coach?” I ask her.
“I did hear! How is that?” She awaits my answer with curious eyes, and I get the feeling she’s thinking about how I don’t like change.
“It’s been okay, I guess. He’s a good defensive coach, so maybe I’ll learn from him.”
“That’s good.” She nods encouragingly.
“He put me on the number one power play unit today.”
“Okay, that sounds like something good, but you’re going to have to explain that to me.”
“You know what the power play is, right?”
“When the other team has a penalty.”
“Yes. So every team has different power play systems that they use to try to make the best of the power play and score.”
“Okay.”
“There are lots of different factors in who plays—right-hand versus left-hand shots, who’s your best shooter, who’s strong in front of the net, and who’s good on the point who can find passing lanes.”
“Wow. That’s a lot of strategy.”
I nod.
“But doesn’t that mean you’re one of the best players, if they use you on the power play?”
“Well, it means I’m good on the point.” I smile wryly.
“So modest. But you’re happy about this, aren’t you?”
“I am. Sure. It’s a good opportunity for me. But…you know. It’s a change. I’ve had my share of changes lately.”
She smiles, a slow, gentle smile. “Yeah. But maybe a good change.”
When the waitress inquires about dessert, I shake my head. “I have something else planned for dessert,” I tell Sara.
She makes an excited face that’s adorable.
We take our time finishing our drinks and paying the bill, then head out.
As we leave, we pass by the bar and someone calls Sara’s name.
She looks over, smiles, and waves. “Hi!” She turns to me. “Come meet my friends.”
I follow her through the crowded space to the bar. She exchanges hugs and cheek kisses with two men, then they introduce her to another couple with them, Kamal and Sunny. Then Sara introduces me to Connor and Eli and their two friends. We shake hands.
Connor has a big brown beard and mustache, neat brown hair, and a strong handshake. Eli’s not as tall, slender, wearing a fedora, black-rimmed glasses, and a scarf.
“We’ve heard about your podcast,” Eli says to me. “Sara thinks it’s going to be a big hit with her fans.”
“When will it air?” Connor asks.
“Thursday next week,” Sara says. “I can’t wait!”
We make some small talk, and then Eli asks where we’re off to.
“We’re going to get dessert,” Sara says. “How about you guys?”
“We’re going to a poetry reading.” Connor raises his hands. “You should come with! It’s going to be fab.”