Page 64 of The Chemistry Coach
“Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.It gives me an excuse to touch you.”
God, he was so cute.She nudged his foot with hers.“You don’t need an excuse.”
He placed a hand on his chest.“Excuse me, I’m a gentleman.There will be no inappropriate touching on our first date.This is far too important to muck it up.”
Daisy laughed and rolled her eyes.“We’ll see.”
When they arrived at the rink, the building was dark and abandoned.Daisy felt like a teenager breaking and entering.She’d be lying if she said that didn’t add to the appeal.He got her a pair of skates, and they sat on the benches beside the rink lacing into them.If she fell, Connor would get a full view of her ass.A little teasing could be fun, but that was a bit much.
He led her onto the ice, skating backwards and holding her hands to help her balance.When she’d gained confidence, he skated beside her and held her hand.“Okay.You can’t run away now.If you’re ready to share, I’m ready to hear why you’ve been so weird.”
Daisy eyed the exit, wondering if she could escape before squaring her shoulders.
“I don’t know where to start.”
Connor gave her time to sort her thoughts.
“Do you know why Roxie broke up with you?”She took her eyes off her feet to look at him and found him frowning at her.
“Roxie prefers women.”
Daisy nodded.“And did she explain to you how she came to that conclusion?”
Connor seemed bewildered.“She… realized she liked women.Is that not how it works?”
Daisy shrugged.“For some people it is, I guess.”
“But not for Roxie?”
“I started in the wrong place.”
Connor remained quiet as they did another lap around the rink.
“I told you about my relationship with Patrick.We were childhood friends and dated for years because we thought we should.We were never attracted to each other.”
“What does that have to do with Roxie?”
Daisy was getting this wrong despite the extensive time she’d had to contemplate her explanation.
“You know I’m a fan, right?”
“Yeah, you’ve said that you’re a huge Freeze fan.”
She tightened her grip on his arm, enjoying the muscle under her fingertips before taking a deep breath and saying, “That’s true.Iama huge Freeze fan.But I’m a big fan of yours.I’ve been following your career since high school.”
“I guess I knew that.You knew Patrick and have been going to his games since then, so you had to have heard of me.You can’t follow Patrick’s career without following mine.”
Daisy nodded.
“I followed your career in part because of Patrick.But I’myourfan specifically because you’re you.I’m a fan of you in the way that girls our age obsessed over One Direction and Justin Bieber.”
Connor flipped around to face her, making her wobble in her skates.She grabbed his arms, and he steadied her.He wore a cocky grin.“Are you saying I’m your celebrity crush?”
“You aren’t a celebrity.”
“But I am your crush?”
Daisy nodded, her blush making her face hot.“In a weird, problematic, obsessed teenage girl, parasocial way.”
