Chapter 4
Olivia
October
The bus ride to Grand Marquee was excruciating. I should have brought my headphones, but I somehow managed to forget them. While I did bring two romance novels with me, reading them kept making me motion sick. I made a mental note to prioritize my headphones and some audiobooks next trip.
The weather in West Michigan is not too bad considering it’s the middle of October. It’s chilly enough that I am wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, but at least I don’t need a hat yet. My coffee-brown hair sits in a high ponytail and my face is makeup free as I walk around downtown. The hotel I’m staying at is within walking distance of the arena, and there is plenty to do and see.
The city is known for its craft beer so I stop at a local brewery for some samples and appetizers. The place is crazy packed for a Thursday night. I arrived a few hours ago and the game is not until tomorrow night, so I can indulge a bit. From looking at my schedule, I’ll be in this city to officiate quite often, so I might as well find some favorite spots.
I leave Saturday morning, but I plan on stopping by the bagel place near the hotel before heading to the bus station. It seemed pretty fancy, they even had gluten free bagels and vegan cream cheese, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my hometown.
From my seat at the bar, I can see most of the restaurant. There are lots of high top tables and booths, but also a stage for live music and entertainment. I don’t see any instruments, so that’s probably not the reason the place is so busy. The group at the long high–top table next to me is loud as hell. I can’t help but look over to see what all the fuss is about. After all, people watching is a favorite pastime of mine.
There are ten of them, all laughing and having a good time. They look like one big happy family. The bartender breaks me out of my perusal as he places a delicious looking burger with fries in front of me. I’ve never had a peanut butter and jelly burger, but I’m nothing if not adventurous. I take the first bite and my eyes immediately roll back in pleasure. The combination of sweet, savory, and a hint of spiciness from the fresh jalapenos and chipotle sauce hits the right spot.
After another couple bites, my attention is once again drawn to the group next to me. There’s an older couple sitting next to each other. The man is at the end of the table, leaning in to the woman on his left and whispering something in her ear. They seem so happy.
Everyone is wearing business casual clothes, and it makes me feel underdressed. I look down at my sweatshirt and I see I’ve spilled ketchup on it. I sigh and rub at it with a napkin.
I take a sip of my IPA and let my eyes wander to the table again. There’s a second couple, and they look to be younger, probably in their mid-thirties. She’s wearing a beautiful dark yellow dress with a burgundy cardigan that compliments her dark brown skin and brown eyes.
A very tall, very blond guy that looks about my age and with an incredibly athletic build catches my eye. He’s handsome in a very Nordic way. I notice him talking and gesturing to another guy that sits at the other end of the table. This one has a similar build, but darker skin and hair. Next to him, her back to me, is a much shorter blonde girl. She’s leaning on the table, pointing fingers at the viking. To her left are two more guys, both with tall and imposing figures. The one farthest to the left turns around and catches my stare.
I quickly look back down to my food and hope he didn’t think I was a creep. I peek another glimpse at them, and he’s still watching me. I expect him to frown and tell me to mind my own business but he grins and winks at me.
Oh.
Oh no.
I finish my beer and try to flag the bartender down, but he’s busy. Before I can start waving around at him, I sense someone stepping up next to me at the bar. I turn around, and it’s him. The guy from the table. He’s taller than I initially thought and looks to be about 6’2”. His eyes are dark blue and his face is speckled with so many freckles I can’t even count. He looks very handsome with his sharp jaw and dark red hair, and that grin is dangerous.
“Hey, I’m Ashton,” he says, extending his hand.
I take it so I’m not rude, but don’t smile back. “Olivia.”
“Can I buy you a drink?” he says, unphased.
“I was just about to leave, actually.”
“Ah, that’s too bad. I would have liked to get to know you better,” he says, and if I was interested, I would admit that was pretty smooth.
“That’s okay, I’m not from around here, so it’s not like you’d have made a lasting friendship anyway,” I say bluntly.
I can tell I caught him by surprise by the way his eyebrows raise and he gives me a crooked smile. “You are something else, aren’t you?”
“Suppose so,” I say, not breaking eye contact.
He raises his hand and for a second I’m confused, but then I realize he’s signaling for my check. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Olivia.”
“You too, I guess,” I say and furrow my brows.
He laughs and gives me a lingering look before turning to leave. As I watch him go, I realize the whole party at the table has paid and is ready to leave. As he approaches them, I see the last guy in their group, the one whose back was to me and I couldn’t make out his features. He’s as tall as Ashton, but his shoulders are a bit broader, his waist narrower. His dark blond hair is wavy and long enough that strands fall in his eyes as he looks down. He and Ashton are talking and Ashton nods toward me before leaving through the door. I’m not fast enough to look away, because when he lifts his head, our eyes lock.
His are light blue and sparkling with mischief. I wonder what he sees in mine. Whatever it is, it has him staring at me for a beat, lips parted, and I am frozen. Because right there by that door is the most gorgeous guy I have ever seen.