“I don’t know why you insist on calling me that. I am not a pixie at five foot six.”
“Well, you’re tiny to me.” Her cheeks flamed pink. “And there’s just something about you. Maybe it’s the blonde locks or the attitude.” I shrugged. “You’re pixie-like.”
“I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on that.”
“Maybe. So what are you doing over here?”
“I had a meeting with a potential client, but they no-showed me.”
“In that case, do you mind if I join you?”
Her sweet smile had me relaxing instantly. “Well, it looks like you already have.”
She motioned to where I was sitting.
“If you don’t want company, I can find somewhere else.”
“No, it’s nice to see a friendly face. Don’t you work, though? It’s the middle of the day during the week.”
And here it was, the moment it was all out there. “My... schedule is a little more relaxed.”
“What does that mean? Are you a paperboy or something? Do you only work at night?”
“No, I’m not a paperboy.”
Before I could tell her what I did, a pair of young women pointed and giggled as they realized who I was. Bugger, I shouldn’t have taken off my bloody hat. The closer they got, the younger they appeared. And finally, they approached me.
“Can we get a picture?” one asked, her eyes shining.
“Of course.” They flanked me, and I held out each of their phones one after the other and took a photo. “Have a nice day, lassies.”
They giggled at my Scottish accent. To be fair, I was laying it on pretty thick for them. They ran off without so much as a request for a hug and—thank God—no slyly delivered phone numbers.
Becca narrowed her eyes at me. “What was that?”
“My job.”
“Your job is to take photos with girls young enough to land you in jail?”
Fuck. No. This wasn’t going well at all. “I’m a professional hockey player, and sometimes I get recognized. Fans want to take photos and have me sign things.”
“Oh my God. You play for the Cyclones.”
And here it was, that awkward moment it dawned on her. She was a fan, and she hadn’t realized she was talking to me.
“Aye. I do.”
“Taylor Savage.”
“Yes.”
“Taylor Savage. The Scottish one. How did I not see it before?”
“Maybe you weren’t looking hard enough.”
“Maybe.”
“Are you a hockey fan?”