Page 32 of Slap Shot
“The menus aren’t going anywhere, and I have the Thai restaurant around the corner on speed dial. You’re in charge here, Madeline. Tell me how you want me to introduce myself to her, and I’ll go off your directions,” Hudson says. “And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll help you find a place where you and Lucy can be comfortable.”
“I really like the frozen yogurt idea. Let’s do that.”
“I’ll text you when I get back from our away game. If you need me before then, you know where I am.”
“I do. Have a good day, Hudson.”
“Later, knife girl,” he says, and I hand the phone back to Lexi.
They finish their conversation, and when Lexi hangs up, all three women look at me.
“What?” I ask, put on the spot by their attention.
“I can understand why you’re hesitant. Bringing your daughter around a man she hasn’t met is a big deal. I’m not a mom, so I’m not going to pretend to tell you what to do, but Hudson is the best guy,” Piper says.
“We can vouch for him,” Lexi chimes in.
“I don’t feel safe around many men, but I feel safe with him.” Emmy twists her hair around her finger, and I can tell there’s a secret there. Something deep and meaningful buried behind her reassurance, and it makes me want to hug her tight. “You’ll be in good hands.”
“Yeah,” I say, giving into their praise. It’s impossible not to. “I got that impression from the moment I met him.”
Lexi lifts her water glass, and we all mimic her. “A toast,” she says.
“What are we toasting?” Piper asks.
“To new beginnings and new friends.”
I blush and dip my chin. A smile pulls at my mouth, and I let it burst into a grin. “To new beginnings and new friends,” I repeat, glad for the twist of fate that brought me here with these three.
TEN
MADELINE
Hudson
Hey, I’m here. I left the dogs at home. Didn’t want to create too much chaos.
I’m sitting on a bench under a tree.
Me
We’ll be there in just a second. Sorry to make you wait! We accidentally went the wrong way on the Metro and it took me three stops to realize my mistake.
Hudson
Happens to the best of us. At least you didn’t end up in Shady Grove. I did that once after a night out with my teammates. Never again.
Me
I don’t think I’d be able to find that on a map.
Hudson
I definitely can’t, and I’ve lived here for years.
Isthis the way to the frozen yogurt shop?Lucy asks as we walk down the sidewalk.
It is.And remember how I said we’re meeting someone special today?
