So far, Marty loves the style of the photos I’ve taken and my plan for the structure of the series. With a few tweaks, of course. I may not have been thrilled about doing this assignment in the beginning, but now, my creative juices are going wild with all kinds of ideas. By the time I’m finished with this project, Marty will have plenty of proof that I’m more than capable of creating a captivating column about Sarabella.
Mia taps the cover of my journal. “You better not lose that. Maybe you should take pictures with your phone. Just in case.”
I nod. “Great idea. I’ll do that once I have it all filled out.”
She sighs and stares at the ceiling. “What’s it like?”
I stuff my notebook back into my bag. “What’s what like?”
“Being around all those hockey players.”
“Sweaty. Stinky. Noisy.”
She snorts. “Come on. There have to be some perks. Like, what about all those muscles?”
“Did you miss the sweaty, stinky part? I don’t go in the locker room, Mia.”
“Not even to peek?”
I shake my head. “There’s plenty to see on the ice.”
Images of Luke gliding over the ice and doing those turns without missing a beat fill my thoughts yet again, along with those broad shoulders and graceful maneuvers. He moves like a panther, and he does this thing where he runs one hand through his wavy hair, combing it back before he puts his helmet on. I know it’s to keep his hair from getting into his eyes, but I find the whole thing rather powerful…and very attractive.
Funny. I don’t recall noticing anything like that with the other players…
“Earth toSophie.”
Mia’s sing-song voice snaps me back to the present. “Yes?”
“Where did you just go?” She points at me, then makes a circle with her finger. “What’s going on up in that head of yours? Because you kind of looked like Ethan did on our first two dates.”
No way. She has to be mistaken. “What, agitated?”
She blurts out a laugh. “No, more like a love-sick puppy.” Her laughter turns into a gasp as she grabs my hand. “You have a crush on one of them?”
“What? No. I do not. That’s ridiculous. I just want to finish this assignment so I can move on to doing what I really want.”
“But what if he’s the one?”
I snicker. “Then I’ll be one of those older women who carries a miniature chihuahua with her wherever she goes. And his name will be Sparky, and he’ll wear?—”
“A bright pink, gem-studded collar. Yes, yes, I remember.” She grabs both my hands and holds them between hers. “But I want my best friend to have what I have.”
“You and Ethan are not the norm.”
“I don’t know about that. But what I do know is there’s someone out there for you. You just haven’t found him yet.”
I lift our tangled hands and kiss the back of one of hers. “I love you, but I’ve made peace with my future spinster status. I’ll live vicariously through you. I’ll be an eccentric aunt to your kiddos. How’s that sound?”
She drops my hands and leans back against the cushions. “Sad and pathetic.”
I sigh. “I’m fine, Mia. I gave it a shot. It’s not for me. Let’s just leave it at that, okay?”
“I still think you’re crushing on a hockey player.” She shoots me a mischievous smile.
I grab my bag. “Okay, I’m leaving. I have to pack and get ready for tomorrow.”
She jumps up from the couch and points at me again. “See? You’re avoiding the question.”
