The game intensified, and the Kraken took the win. The bar roared with applause. Without a hockey team of their own, Alaskans were strong supporters of all the Seattle sports teams.
Once the excitement of the win mellowed, and the crowd began to thin, I stood to make my own departure. “Thank you for including me tonight. I had a lot of fun.”
Kate smiled up at me from where her head was resting on Tyler’s shoulder. Her eyes were glassy from one too many beers. “You’re welcome, Liz.” The she hiccupped. “I mean, Dr.Cain.”
I smiled at her. “Liz is fine.”
She gave me a thumbs up.
Thomas stood and helped me with my coat. “I’ll walk you out.”
Outside, the noise from the bar was muffled. A chill had crept back in to the air. I wrapped my scarf around my neck and tied it snugly.
“Thank you for inviting me. It felt good to get out.”
“Of course.”
We stood awkwardly staring at each other. Thomas shoved his hands in his pockets. “I didn’t see your name on the schedule for patrol next weekend.”
“No, I’m working on an article for a medical journal. Stretching for skiers.” I shrugged. “They only gave me two weeks to send it in.”
“I know we haven’t talked much since you’ve been back from Colorado…” he left his statement open ended. When I didn’t say anything, he added. “I don’t know if things have changed for you, but I would still like to see you. Maybe take you to dinner.”
I had no reason to say no. “I’d like that.”
“Friday night?”
“Friday it is.”
“And I promise, I won’t keep you out late. I know that article is important to you.”
I double clicked my key fob to unlock my car door, opened it, and said, “I’ll see you Friday.”
Gently, he shut my car door behind me and I drove home. Thomas was peaceful and kind. I was looking forward to dinner.
As expected, Todd was waiting for me at the window. He was the best gift I had given myself when I moved here.
I had just settled into bed when my phone pinged with a text. I turned on the lamp.
Is it thawing inAlaska?
I smiled, reached for my reading glasses on the nightstand, and put them on. Was he talking about my heart, or the snow?
Instead of answering, I congratulated them on the win.
The dots bounced on my screen almost immediately, then stopped.
Then,Were youhere?
I could almost feel him wanting to crawl through the phone and shake me.
Tonight, I wanted to respond with more than “No.” I snuggled under the covers, pulled the comforter up to the middle of my waist, and rested my elbows at my side. I held my phone over my chest and texted,Watched from thebar
And?
I laughed. Interesting that he was looking for a compliment. Part of me wanted to impress him. Part of me wanted to cut him down. I responded,You have great flow, but you spend too much time around the redline
His response came fast.I’m looking for breakawaypasses