Chapter 11
Lisa
“I still can’t believe I said yes. Not just yes to a date. Yes to Blake,” I sigh to Anna. Every time I think about it, my stomach does something inconvenient and dramatic. It feels like I auditioned for a romantic comedy I didn’t sign up to star in.
Which is exactly why I text Gwen and Tess first thing in the morning and tell them we’re going shopping.
Retail distraction is a legitimate coping mechanism.
And if that distraction happens to include finding a dress for the first date I’ve agreed to in years with the most persistent hockey player in Chicago, then that is purely incidental.
Mostly.
“I don't see why it’s a bad thing,” Anna tells me over the phone.
“It’s not necessarily bad. It feels weird. He’s my brother’s best friend and a total player,” I tell Anna, and she laughs.
“And yet, you said yes. There must be something there,” she insists, and I take a deep breath again.
“I guess you’re right,” I sigh. “Did you book your flight yet?”
Anna confirmed she is coming to Chicago in three months, and I have been counting down ever since.
“Not yet, but I am doing it tomorrow once I am done with work,” she tells me. The sound of her voice tells me she is smiling just as wide.
“I can’t wait,” I tell her. “I have to go, but I’ll text you later, ok?”
“Sounds good,” Anna replies. “Don’t get stuck in your head. Enjoy what’s coming your way,” she tells me before we say goodbye, and I promise her I’ll try.
“Get in, ladies,” I say as I roll the window down, maybe thirty minutes later. “I got you some coffee. I figured that wouldn’t hurt.”
I assumed shopping would be a great way to distract Gwen from this terrible gossip article about her. The entire story is fake, but the world doesn’t know that. Zane said he would take care of it, but I wanted to help out as much as I could.
Gwen smiles as she slides into the back seat while Tess gets in the passenger seat.
“Thanks,” Gwen says. “And for picking us up. I can definitely use the distraction.”
I glance at her through the mirror. She still looks a little shaken from the party. Softer than usual. Careful in the way people get when they’ve had their confidence knocked sideways.
Which means today officially has a mission.
“I need a dress for a date,” I say casually as I pull away from the curb, “and you, Gwen, need an outfit for your first ice hockey game as the star player’s girlfriend.”
Her eyes widen immediately. “I never really thought of that,” she says, voice small.
Tess turns around from the passenger seat. “We’ll all go to the game,” she says reassuringly.
“Yes, we will!” I add. “And we’ll have drinks at Zane’s place after. He’ll love it.”
Gwen leans her head back against the seat like she’s trying to process the phrase star player’s girlfriend.
Honestly? Same. Not because I’m surprised she and Zane are together. Because they make sense in that quiet, inevitable way. But still. It’s a lot.
“Wait,” Tess says suddenly. “What date? What do you need a dress for?”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. Too soon. Way too soon.
“It’s too early to talk about it,” I say quickly. “But I am going on a date with this really cute guy. I’ve known him for some time, but they say sometimes people change, right?”
That part isn’t even a lie. Blake has changed. Or maybe I’m just seeing him differently now.
“I’ve seen it first hand,” Tess says confidently, crossing her arms. “A year ago, I would’ve laughed if you said I would date Leo, but now he is the sweetest man.”
“You two are adorable,” I say honestly.
Because they are an adorable couple. And also because it distracts the conversation from hockey players named Blake Saxon.
“I didn’t know you were an Ella Langley fan,” Gwen says as Dandelion starts playing through the speakers. I grin.
“Are you kidding me? I have seen her live like twenty times.”
“Twenty?” Tess asks in shock.
“I haven’t even been to a single show,” Gwen laughs. “What am I doing wrong?”
“We are so changing that,” I tell them immediately. “Next time a cool band is in town, we are going to a show.”
Preferably one that does not involve Blake showing up unexpectedly and watching me sing every lyric like a lunatic.
Although knowing him, he probably would.
We’re almost at the mall when Gwen’s phone buzzes. She glances down at it and immediately smiles in that soft, private way people do when they’re trying not to look obvious.
“What are you smiling about?” I ask, watching her through the mirror. Then I pause. “Actually, if it’s related to my brother, maybe don’t tell me unless you want to. But don’t.”
She laughs.
“He’s so dreamy and sweet.”
“I don’t know about the dreamy part,” I say. “But he definitely is sweet.”
“Since Leo is not your brother,” Tess says thoughtfully, “I need some fun lingerie.”
“He kind of feels like a brother to me,” Gwen teases, making me laugh.
“Alright,” I say, pulling into the parking structure. “Let’s get to shopping.”
The mall feels crowded. There are so many people, I immediately regret wearing heels. We’re going to have to wait a lot today.
People everywhere. Music echoing. Perfume clouds drifting through the air like tactical obstacles.
“You’re going to be fine,” I tell Gwen as she hesitates outside the entrance. “And if someone tries to bring us down today, I will come for them.”
“You know,” she laughs, “I actually believe you.”
“Good.”
“Malls always feel overwhelming,” Tess says. “I never really go shopping anymore.”
“Ok,” I say, switching into strategy mode. “We’ll be efficient. We need lingerie for Tess, a super cute ice hockey outfit for Gwen, and a date outfit for me. Let’s start here.”
“Didn’t you move back only recently?” Gwen asks.
“You know this place better than we do.”
“I remember the things that are important.”
Like where to find emergency smoothies and last-minute confidence dresses.
And apparently, where to park Blake’s car without feeling weird about it. I still can’t believe he gave it to me. I definitely did not tell them that part either.
Inside the first store, Gwen and Tess start flipping through racks. I head straight for the dresses.
Something simple. Something elegant. Something that says I am not intimidated by you, even though I absolutely am.
I pull out a dark green dress that catches the light like silk.
“That color would look gorgeous on you,” Gwen says. I hold it up against myself in the mirror.
“Do you think it’s too much for a first date?”
“What are you doing on the first date?” Tess asks.
“It’s a little bit of a strange story,” I admit. “I told him he had to prove to me that he can be a gentleman.”
That part is still surreal.
“He said he would take me to a fancy restaurant and maybe for a cocktail after.” Which sounds suspiciously like something Blake planned before I even agreed.
“This seems like a great fancy dinner cocktail dress,” Gwen says. “Try it on.”
I don’t argue. Inside the fitting room, I change faster than necessary. Partly because my heart suddenly starts beating like this dress decision is life-altering, which is ridiculous. It’s just a date. With Blake. Ok. Maybe not ridiculous.
I step out.
“It feels like a lot,” I say.
“Are you kidding me?” Gwen says immediately. “This is perfection.”
“I could not agree more,” Tess adds. “You are obligated to buy this dress.”
I turn sideways, checking the mirror again. I do have heels that would work with this. And Blake’s face when he sees it… No. Not thinking about that.
“Ok,” I say quickly. “I’ll do it.”
After paying, we head toward another store.
“The team’s colors are blue and orange,” I say, studying Gwen. “Orange is the best option for you.”
Both of us stare at her like she’s a puzzle we’re solving.
“You are officially making me feel weird,” she laughs.
“Orange,” Tess confirms. She finds a linen blouse almost immediately.
“That one,” I say. “Try it.”
She does. It’s perfect.
“Wear it like this and Zane will lose his mind,” Tess jokes. I glare at her automatically.
“I am refusing my brain to go there,” I say. “But yes. It looks amazing.”
By the time Tess triumphantly finds a purple bra hanging exactly where it shouldn’t logically be, I’m convinced today counts as productive.
We carry our bags toward the smoothie bar.
“This side of the mall has changed a lot,” I sigh. “The smoothie place used to be over there.”
“I’m sure it still tastes great,” Tess says.
We sit. I take a long sip and finally relax into the chair.
“I needed this,” I admit.
“It sure has been a day,” Gwen says.
“Is the ice hockey life always this dramatic?” Tess asks me.
“You think hockey is dramatic?” I laugh. “Try figure skating.”
“You were a figure skater?” Gwen asks.
“Yep. Silver at nationals.”
They both stare at me.
“That’s incredible,” Gwen says.
“Zane and I both loved the ice,” I shrug. “Still do, I guess.”
“What made you stop?” Tess asks. I hesitate because the real answer isn’t pretty.
“I couldn’t handle the pressure anymore,” I admit. “The culture in my hometown was brutal. It’s one of the reasons I moved West. I still get triggered when I’m near the ice sometimes.”
“I’m sorry,” Tess says softly.
“Well,” I smile, “like everything in life, there’s a good side and a bad side.”
And sometimes life brings you a hockey player from your past who shows up years later and refuses to let you pretend you disappeared.
“Should we have dinner together tonight?” Gwen asks quickly, changing the subject. “Maybe pizza at my place?”
“I’m definitely down,” I say immediately.
I just know I cannot sit alone tonight thinking about Blake picking me up at seven tomorrow.
“Me too,” Tess says.
Perfect. Distraction. Exactly what I need. Except unfortunately, no amount of smoothies, shopping bags, or pizza plans is going to stop me from thinking about the way he looked at me when I said yes. Or the fact that in only a few hours…
I’m going on a date with Blake Saxon.