Page 63 of The Chemistry Coach
Connor didn’t accept Patrick’s answer.“We’ve been in that same position a thousand times, and you’ve never budged; you’re always a solid wall.”
Daisy thought back to Connor’s final goal.Had Patrick fallen on purpose?Connor seemed to think so, and everyone on the ice had a way better understanding of the game than she did.She frowned at Patrick.
“I don’t know what to tell you, man.I played the same way I always play.You had better puck luck tonight.I’m fine with it.I kicked your ass last time,” he smirked with the last comment, a mocking look meant to rub Connor the wrong way.
Patrick took a swig of his beer and changed the subject.“So now that you’ve won this bet, you’ve stolen away my good luck charm.I think I can forgive you, though, if you treat her right.Where are you taking her on your date?”He waggled his eyebrows, and Daisy threw a fry at him.The fry bounced off his chest, and he laughed, picking it off the table and popping it into his mouth.
Connor waved a hand between Hazy and Valentine.“These two have yet to inform me.”
Hazy and Valentine, who had been in their own little world communicating in glances across the table, froze.Valentine said, “We didn’t think we’d get this far.”
Connor gave Daisy the day and time of their first date.She had no idea where they were going, what they were doing, or what to wear.Any attempt at getting more answers resulted in a text from Connor to “relax,” regardless of who she asked.Daisy wasn’t certain she could.She’d been dreaming about this date for years.
It wasn’t as intimidating as she expected, but she couldn’t be with him until she laid everything out there.There was a fifty-fifty chance he’d listen to her story and everything would be fine, or he’d run for the hills never to be heard from again.She hoped for the former.
Roxie sat on her couch, going over outfit options and giving her a much-needed pep talk.Daisy normally wore sundresses on a first date—short, flowy, and in a happy print.But it being the second week of February and a build-up of slush on the sidewalks from a pitiful snowfall a couple of days prior nixed that idea.Roxie gathered a pair of patterned tights, a black miniskirt, and a chunky white cropped sweater.“What about these?”
Daisy put the outfit on and examined herself in her floor-length mirror.“Cute!But if there is a single sauce involved, this top is fucked.”
Roxie sighed, pulled out her phone, tapped the screen a few times, and held it to her ear.“Where are you taking Daisy?”Roxie nodded along with whatever Connor said.“Okay, how much walking will be involved?”Silence for a few more beats until Roxie hung up.To Daisy, she said, “That’ll be fine.”
She led the way into Daisy’s room, where she pulled a box off the top shelf of her closet.She handed Daisy the shoes.
“Wear these.”
Daisy did as instructed, pulling on the black pumps that killed her feet.“No walking then, I guess.”Roxie nodded and sat Daisy on her vanity stool.She manipulated Daisy’s hair into a messy updo and smudged blue eyeliner onto her lash line.Daisy wouldn’t have put the finished look together herself, but it reflected her feelings.Sexy and excited and fun.
Too soon, a knock sounded at her door.Daisy rushed to open it.
Connor hugged her hello, waved to Roxie over Daisy’s shoulder, and led her to his car.Electricity filled the air, and Daisy could barely breathe, let alone make coherent conversation as Connor drew absent circles on her thigh with his thumb.
Daisy’s brain regained the ability to function with a table between them at an upscale restaurant.
“Who chose this place?”she asked.
Connor glanced at his menu and grinned.“This one is all Hazy.He says it’s a ‘peak first date spot,’ but I’m not sure he’s been on a real date since I’ve known him.”
Daisy laughed.“He has too much game for his own good.I bet he brings all his hookups here.”
Connor’s toes found hers under the table, the contact reassuring and gentle.“Ew, why would you say that?We’re supposed to be having a nice time.”
She shrugged.“They’re my boys.I want them to be getting everything they need in life, even if that means random hookups.”
Connor snickered.“Do you think Lover ever called that girl?”
Daisy couldn’t help her groan.“He hasn’t.I keep asking Mandy for updates, but she hasn’t heard from him.”
The waitress brought their food and drinks, and Daisy forced herself to bring up what she needed to talk about.
“I owe you an explanation about Patrick.”
Connor reached across the table to squeeze her fingers.“I expect an explanation.Later.This is a three-part date.First food, then fun and explanations, and then dessert.Fair?”
Daisy nodded.“I can wait.Where are we going next?”
He grinned at her.“The next part is my pick.Bet you can guess.”
She shook her head.“I can’t skate.Patrick tried to teach me for years.I’m like a baby deer out there.”
