Chapter 9
Gwen
I still can’t believe this day is real by the time we reach my apartment building. What I thought was the worst date of my life has turned out to be the best.
“I don’t know how to thank you for today,” I say, retrieving my keys from my purse.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you again,” Zane replies, his palm brushing gently against my cheek. I close my eyes for a brief moment at his touch.
“Will you stop by the bakery soon?” I ask hopefully.
“I have practice tomorrow, but I’ll definitely come by soon,” Zane promises. I don’t want the night to end, but it’s nearly midnight, and we both have work in the morning.
“Can I take you on a second date?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. Zane looks surprised, but in a good way.
“I thought you’d never ask,” he jokes, making me laugh.
“It’s the books. Buying me books is my secret love language,” I admit, and Zane smirks.
“Then start building a library,” he says softly before leaning in and kissing me again. This time, it feels even better than before. His lips are warm and soft, and I don’t want to pull away, but I know we have to.
“Text me when you get home, ok?” I ask as he leans back slightly.
“I will, Sassypants. Talk soon. Goodnight, gorgeous,” he says, turning to leave.
“Goodnight,” I whisper. It’s all I can manage. My mind is spinning, and my heart is racing.
I hurry inside, set the books on my coffee table, and pause. Did this really happen?
I let myself sink onto the couch and take a deep breath, pressing a hand to my cheek. It’s still warm, and I can’t help but chuckle.
I sit there in silence until, fifteen minutes later, my phone buzzes.
ZANE: I’m home. Can’t wait to see you again.
ME: Thank you for everything.
ME: Can’t wait to see you either.
I smile down at my phone as I pick up Rina Kent’s latest book and open it. The scent of the pages alone brings me more joy than it probably should.
ZANE: Goodnight, Sassy. Don’t stay up too late reading xx
My eyes widen at his message. How does he see right through me after meeting me so recently? It both terrifies and comforts me.
ME: Goodnight xx
I set my phone aside and try to read, but I can’t focus.
The entire day keeps replaying in my mind the way Zane told me he liked me, how he might have hinted at love at first sight, the kiss in the bookstore, the fact that he opened the bookstore just for me, and the dinner at Black Pearl Restaurant. My cheeks ache from smiling so much.
I eventually close the book and head to my bedroom. The moment my head hits the pillow, I drift off to sleep.
My alarm goes off, which feels like five minutes later. I slowly open my eyes, still exhausted but far too excited to keep it to myself. I need to tell Tess everything.
I get ready quickly and arrive at the bakery in record time, relieved to see the lights already on. Tess is inside.
“Why did we decide to open on Saturdays again?” I ask as I step through the door.
“I want to know everything!” Tess calls out, hurrying toward me and pressing a cup of coffee into my hands. “How was it? How was the second first date?”
“I don’t even know where to start,” I admit before the words start pouring out.
I tell her everything about the dinner, the bookstore, and how kind and attentive Zane was. I’m just finishing when the back door opens, and Leo walks in.
“And then he said he wanted to kiss every inch of my body,” I say to Tess.
“La, la, la, la,” Leo interrupts loudly, covering his ears as he walks in. “Gwen, you’re like a sister to me. I do not need details about this.”
“I thought you were the queen of gossip,” I say, giving him a confused look.
“What?” Leo shrugs as he hangs up his jacket.
“Well, I do want all the details,” Tess says with a smirk. “So… did he kiss every inch of your body?”
“He was a gentleman,” I tell her with a wink.
“Ok, that’s it. I’m leaving,” Leo says, and without another word, he turns and walks back out through the door.
“What really happened?” Tess asks, her tone softer now.
“We kissed in the bookstore… and when he walked me home, but that’s it,” I laugh lightly. “It was magical, though. Really.”
“Well, this definitely sounds like an amazing first date,” Tess says with a happy sigh.
“I told him I’d plan the second date, but I’m drawing a blank. Where do you take a famous ice hockey player who already has everything?” I chuckle.
“Don’t treat him like a famous hockey player,” Tess replies. “Treat him like Zane. What does he like to do?”
I pause, thinking for a moment.
“He really likes watching movies,” I say. “Maybe I could cook meals inspired by a movie, and we watch it while we eat… or something like that?”
“Gwen, that’s such a cute idea,” Tess says, smiling. “What movie are you thinking of?”
Before I can answer, the back door opens again, and Leo reappears. He grabs his jacket, avoiding eye contact as he heads toward it.
“And that all happened before the bedroom, you can imagine,” I add with a wink at Tess, knowing Leo can’t see me.
“Gwen!” Leo groans in frustration before quickly rushing back out again.
“Sorry, not sorry, bro!” I call after him as he disappears from view.
“You are evil,” Tess laughs.
“I guess that’s called sisterly love,” I say with a shrug and a grin. “So… which movie should we watch?”
“Hmm,” Tess muses. “Maybe something new? Or a classic?”
“I’m sure I’ll get inspired somewhere today,” I say, taking a sip of coffee as I begin prepping for the day.
I’m elbow-deep in croissant dough, literally elbow-deep, because the butter is cold and stubborn, and I am apparently just as determined to out-stubborn it, when Tess suddenly rushes toward the back. A moment later, the doorbell rings.
“Hey.”
At the sound of his voice, I look up immediately. Zane is standing at the entrance in a hoodie, which somehow makes him look even better than usual. The cold has brought a flush to his cheeks, and his hair appears slightly damp, as though he’s just come in from the outside air.
“Hi,” I say, my voice coming out louder than intended. I quickly regain myself. “Were you done with practice already?”
A slow smile forms on his lips. “I left a little early. Wanted to make sure I could still get a pastry from the best bakery in town.”
Behind me, the espresso machine hisses to life. The bakery buzzes with movement, voices, trays, and timers, but somehow my attention narrows to the space between Zane and me.
I reach for my tools on the counter just to give my hands something to do. “So,” I say, gesturing toward him with my dough scraper like I’m conducting an orchestra, “how’s life as a human Zamboni?”
Zane blinks. “Is that… what hockey players are?”
“You clean up messes other people make,” I explain with mock seriousness. “You move in circles. You wear layers.”
He studies that for a moment with a level of seriousness that would be funnier if it weren’t… kind of attractive.
“That’s uncomfortably accurate,” he admits.
I grin, satisfied. “Thank you. What can I get you today?”
He smiles slowly. “What do you recommend?”
“Maybe a croissant?” I suggest.
Zane nods immediately. I can’t help but wonder if he would’ve agreed to anything I said.
“Coffee as well?” I add.
“Black, please.”
A minute later, I hand him his coffee and pastry. He takes them with an easy familiarity that somehow feels natural, like this moment has already happened a hundred times before.
“I figured out a second date,” I tell him proudly. “Are you free Friday night?”
The confidence in my voice feels unfamiliar in a good way. Two weeks ago, I never would’ve asked him out. Now here I am.
“I am now,” Zane says with a smile before taking a bite of his croissant.
“Good?” I ask.
He swallows. “Ridiculously good.”
I nod, as though I expected nothing less. “I told you.”
“I have to get going, but I’ll see you Friday,” he says, grabbing his coffee to go.
“See you soon,” I reply with a smile, watching him leave.
He pushes the door open, and the bell jingles lightly as he steps out, as if nothing significant had just happened.
As if my heart didn’t stumble over itself.
The bakery settles back into its rhythm. The door closes. The cold air fades. The world keeps moving.
And then Tess is beside me. Of course she is.
She leans against the counter, arms crossed, eyes observant. “So,” she says. “That happened.”
I snort softly. “He bought a pastry.”
Tess raises a brow. “He sure did.”
“It’s strange,” I admit, glancing down for a moment. “But I feel like he… sees me.”
Tess nods slowly. “Yeah.”
“It makes me feel like I’m standing on ice,” I whisper, the metaphor feeling too accurate to ignore. “Like one wrong move and I’ll fall flat on my face, but at the same time, it feels… good.”
Tess rests a hand on my forearm, warm and grounding. “Being seen is scary,” she says gently. “Especially when you’re used to being the one who keeps everyone else comfortable.”
I swallow, my eyes stinging slightly, though I refuse to let the feeling take over.
“I don’t want to want it,” I admit quietly.
But somewhere deep down, I already do.