Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
MIKAEL
I climbed into my vehicle after I left the shop. I take another sip of the coffee. It's incredible. I love blueberries because they are low in sugar. But who knew they were fantastic as a coffee creamer? I took the cupcakes to be polite since I blew her off yesterday. She’s even prettier than I remember. Her long hair is in an updo today. I’m sure it’s required to meet the health code, but I find it’s rather sexy. I’m turned on, and I don’t understand it.
The sun burns through the white clouds. I start my car and stare into the Easter egg-blue sky. I can't resist another sip of the addicting coffee mix.
Kenzie made a lasting impression on me and hasn’t left my mind. It’s crazy because I’ve experienced this before. I don’t trust the attraction I feel for her. I’m sure it’s the excitement of meeting someone new. Besides, she probably has a boyfriend. I can’t imagine her not having someone special at home.
I stopped by to see her because I felt guilty for snubbing her yesterday. I’m certain it wasn’t due to her sweet vanilla smell. She’s an attractive woman. I doubt she’s looking for an older man.
I’m in a jovial mood because I broke up with Steph; it has nothing to do with the fact that Kenzie was at the counter where I could talk to her.
The red velvet cupcakes pique my interest and I slip one out of the box.
I nibble at it and find it's the best cupcake I've ever eaten. I pop the entire mound into my mouth and help myself to the rest. It’s so delicious that I lick the frosting off my fingers.
I wonder if Kenzie owns the shop. She'd be a fool to pass up on the opportunity to own a business when she can bake like this. The location is excellent. Perhaps my mom discovered this place when she last visited. I can't remember.
I'll have to return and sample everything. I bet their sandwiches are to die for. I wonder if my teammate Kal has been there. He’s notorious for knowing the best places to eat. Has he been holding out on us?
I drive to Finn's park and I think of Kenzie the entire time. I park and walk to his massive wood door and ring the doorbell.
I'm excited to try it to see Finn’s new golf simulation game. I'm not fantastic at golf, but I find it beneficial in the off-season. I don’t need to look at my calendar for summer, but I know it will be filled with weddings.
I haven’t heard if any of my friends are getting engaged on Valentine’s Day this year. I only pay attention to romantic holidays because I’ve sworn them off. Valentine's Day is notorious for engagements and weddings and I’ve yet to meet the ‘one.’
I think back to Kenzie in the shop and I love the fact that she glows even though she’s working. I assume she'll be making wedding cakes and heart-shaped baked goods for the day of love.
I hate Valentine’s Day.
Probably because I’ve never fallen in love.
I would love to find the woman of my dreams and participate in Valentine’s Day like my friends . Not that I’d ever admit it.
“There you are,” Finn says as he opens the door.
I stroll into Finn's house with a lightness to my step and coffee in hand.“I told you I'd be here. How is the new game?”
“Great. Where have you been? That coffee smells great.”
“Funny you say that. I went to check out Kenzie’s place, Le Petit Patissier on Main Street.”
“I take it you asked her out?”
“No, but she gave me free coffee and the red velvet cupcakes I ate on the way here!” I lift my cup to prove my story.
“You didn’t save one for me?” He pretends to be hurt by this.
“I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s authentic, y’know?”
“So, the new girl is a homewrecker?” he chuckles. “You needed to meet the new girl before you broke up with the latest mistake?”
Did I need a jolt to break up with Steph?
“No, Steph thought the dog owner was at fault. It was the last straw. I had a dog get away from me when I was a kid. I was terrified I wouldn’t find her. The country road is usually not busy, but the cars speed down it. I got lucky that day. I was filled with dread when it happened, and I played with her every day for a week to make it up to her. Dogs are domesticated, but they are strong. They tend to run and wander when it’s cold, too. It energizes them. Besides, Kenzie loves her dog.”
We walk the wooden steps and note the new carpet runner on them as I follow him to the second floor.
“First name basis...interesting,” he says. It's a loft that is used for our get-togethers in the off-season. “What happened today?”
“Nothing. I don't think she recognized me as a famous hockey player, and I'd like to keep it that way.”
“Does this mean you're going to see her again?”
“This coffee is amazing, and the cupcakes were surreal. I don't eat sweets, but hers are irresistible.”
“Is that a yes?”
“I don't know, but I can stop by for coffee, can’t I?” I can’t explain the hold Kenzie has over me. I didn’t want to leave the shop, but I’m not great with small talk. Perhaps being friends is the safe way to go because that way, no one gets hurt.
“Right, just coffee,” he replies as his mouth pulls pensively to one side.
“Dude, I'm out of one entanglement. I don't even know her. Besides, I'm not getting serious with anyone until Cupid is done throwing his arrows.”
“You are one to follow your rules, no matter how deranged they are,” he murmurs as he stands on the golf machine.
“Hey, I don't want to marry the wrong woman and get a divorce. I'm older and wiser. I need someone real, someone who is funny, and someone who isn't jaded by material things. And someone who isn’t on their phone 24/7.”
“Good luck finding that, especially if she's younger than you,” he chuckles. “Does she spend all her time on her phone? It’s a newer generation, y’know.”
“I'm not dating minors, for Christ's sake.” Gee, he’s acting like I need a cane! WTF?
“I never said you did. I'm intrigued by this Kenzie.” He takes a swing with the club in his hand, and we watch a digital golf ball land on the green embedded in the lifelike screen. His fascination with my love life amuses me. “You need to find someone. Maybe you need to participate in Valentine’s Day and hope Cupid hits you with an arrow. That way, you’ll fall in love.”
“I have time,” I chuckle. Finn swings again. I watch the interactive screen record the ball drops on the green.
“The graphics are stellar.”
“It's entertaining—kinda like your love life,” he smirks.
“Great. It's just what I need—you giving me a play-by-play of my love life.”
“You're a multi-millionaire, and you play pro hockey. How are you going to keep Kenzie from finding out?” He glances at me as he leans over the golf club in his hands.
“I don't know.” I shrug. If she finds out, what's the worst that will happen? I'm famous. Besides, most women would love to go out with an athlete. “I kinda liked the fact she didn't make a fool of herself to get a date with me. It was refreshing. Different…”
“I hope you don't lose your magic. You could be headed for a dry spell.”
“That won't happen,” I reply. But how do I know? I've never considered that I might not have gotten dates if it weren't for my name.
Interesting.
Maybe I should test the theory. But on second thought, maybe I don't want to know. My knees creak and there I wake up with stiff joints. I'm getting older. Perhaps I need to be more serious about finding the right woman.
Finn takes a swing; his ball goes awry.
“Your turn,” he says as he hands the putter to me, and I take a go at the new toy. It’s nice, but I don’t care to have it in my home. We return to his kitchen, which is decorated with scalloped tiles for a backsplash, metal cabinets, and appliances. It’s a modern look, but I find it even more sterile than my house. We grab beers from the beverage drawer downstairs and retire to the living room, where we shoot the breeze next to the warm fireplace.
“Who are you seeing these days?” I ask.
“No one in particular. Why?”
“I'm just curious,” I shrug. Most of the guys on the team are married and have kids. I'm the oldest bachelor. I don't know how I feel about this.
Old.
“No reason. I feel like the odd man out.”
“You are. You are so picky.”
“I am. I'm afraid I'll make a mistake. There's nothing wrong with being cautious.”
“Well, when you find yourself alone at eighty, tell me how it feels.” Finn stands to stretch his legs and slaps me on the back. This is him encouraging me to get off my ass and back into the dating game.
“I'm going to take a minute before I start dating.”
“Oh, man—you're afraid to commit!” he says with his all-knowing grin. It’s as if he’s discovered a secret no one knows.
“No. I’m not!” I know myself, but that's not the issue.
I'm a perfectionist. I hate being wrong. I am a bit of a perfectionist—from my slap shot to the supermarket vegetables I pick weekly. Practice makes perfect, my grandfather says. It's ingrained in me. He was a hockey pro, too, and crossed over Gretzky’s NHL career.
“You'll never get married if you continue down this road. You're overthinking it. Meet a new woman, go through the honeymoon phase, and pop the question. It's simple.”
“I know how it's done,” I reply, annoyed.
“Then put it into practice,” he says as he returns to the fridge, grabs two beers, and returns, whereby he hands one to me.
“Thanks.” I'm relieved for the refreshment and take a gulp.
Am I afraid of commitment?
I would gladly pop the question if I met the right woman.
Wouldn't I?
Why am I second-guessing myself? I want to come home to my wife and have kids, and I can't imagine how they will change my life. I'm not opposed to change. We get new teammates yearly. We learn new plays. Change is a part of life. I’m sure I’ll adjust to it like everything else.
When will I find her?
We watch the hottest hockey plays of the week on his TV, and I notice the sun has disappeared behind gray clouds and is sinking on the horizon. I predict snow before nightfall.
“I'd better be going.” I nod to the double-paned doors on the balcony.
“More snow. I'm relieved we're not flying,” he states. Winters are a challenge. There are weather delays, ice storms, and Nor’easters that dump snow across the lakes of Michigan and head our way.
“True. However, we always have a few inconveniences. I mean, what's winter without delayed flights?” Finn states as if he read my mind.
“Don't say that!” I chide him.
Finn shrugs and chuckles. “We know that's how it rolls.”
I do, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
I drive home knowing I'll be alone tonight. I'll miss having a woman in bed, but I'm not upset over the breakup. It’s my new normal, but it doesn’t sit well with me.
Snow begins to fall as I pull into the garage but Kenzie is on my mind and I wonder what she’s up to. I smile at her apron that was stamped with the slogan, Bake with Love. I smile. Something tells me she has a lot of love to give.
What is her story? Without a doubt, I'll stop by the shop tomorrow. I'll keep it casual and hope my anonymity remains intact.
I've never hidden my success. Maybe it will give me a fresh perspective.
The huge house is quiet. I put on the TV for noise. I pull a steak out to reach room temperature. I'll have to grill it on the stove. I prepare a potato for the convection oven. I have the latest appliances, and everything is top-of-the-line.
If Steph were here, I'd have someone to talk to. Then, I remembered her opinion about Kenzie being careless with her dog, and I made the right call.
I miss having a dog, but my schedule is too hectic. I enjoyed playing with Sherlock. It would be nice to run into them at the park again.