Chapter 8
Eight
Cassie didn’t text him that night.
She went home, made a salad she barely tasted, and folded laundry while replaying the way he’d looked at her over the rim of his coffee cup. She told herself the delay mattered—that waiting a day was proof she was still in control of this, whatever this was becoming.
The next morning, she woke earlier than usual. She skimmed the practice schedule, scanned the league headlines, answered an email from her editor. Only after she’d done everything she could to feel anchored did she pick up her phone.
Luke Anders’ name still sat there, unchanged.
She stared at it for a moment, then typed.
Cassie:
I’m taking a break from being productive. Felt like the right moment to say hi. ??
She set the phone down immediately, like it might bite, but it buzzed less than a minute later.
Luke:
I support this decision.
Cassie:
You haven’t left the Strip District since you moved here, have you?
Luke:
Hey! I’ve been to the rink too.
Cassie:
Impressive!
Luke:
I know. I’m basically a local.
Cassie:
You’re missing most of it.
Luke:
Then it sounds like I need a better guide.
Her pulse ticked up. She stared at the screen, weighing the line she was toeing.
Cassie:
Careful.
Luke:
That was careful.
She laughed quietly, shaking her head.
Cassie:
So what do you do when you’re not overthinking hockey?
Luke:
Still working on finding that out. Back home, I had places. Here, it’s been more… quiet.
She pictured him alone in his loft, the city just outside his windows.
Cassie:
Pittsburgh’s not quiet if you know where to look.
Luke:
Sounds like experience talking.
Cassie:
Growing up here will do that to you.
Luke:
Then maybe you should point me in the right direction.
Her heart thudded—not fast, but firm.
Cassie:
Maybe.
Luke:
Somewhere that’s not a coffee shop.
She hesitated, then typed slowly.
Cassie:
There’s a park up by the river trail. Or a bar in Lawrenceville that’s loud enough no one listens too closely.
Three dots appeared. Stayed.
Luke:
I’d like that.
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Cassie:
We can see. Schedules get messy.
Luke:
They do. No pressure.
She appreciated that. Not because she believed him—but because he said it anyway.
Cassie:
I’ll let you know.
Luke:
I’ll look forward to it.
She stared at the words, aware of the restraint in them, the promise they carried without demanding anything yet.
She didn’t respond right away.
When she finally did, it was simple.
Cassie:
I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.
Luke:
You too.
She set her phone down, heart humming, fully aware she’d just done something small and significant. Not completely reckless. Not innocent. Just intentional.