Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
The idea of not smiling never crosses my mind. “You know that song is not a happy song.”
“No, but it’s ABBA.” Seeing the corner of his lips curl further upward has mine following suit. “And you know anytime I can throw in one of their songs…I’m gonna.”
Louder and lighter bits of laugher precede me nodding.
And this is why I always feel like a winner.
Having someone as wonderful as Thayne on your team – on or off the ice – will always lead you to a victory.
Even if that victory is something as small as the chance to bring up your favorite band of all time.
Chapter 19
Thayne
My reflexes in the rink are impeccable, but I gotta confess.
I never saw them serving much purpose at a trivia game.
One quick flick of the wrist has Kira, Gillybean’s best friend that didn’t catch us having sex in my truck, pointing her hazelnut shaded finger in our direction prompting me to answer, “A luthier is someone who builds or repairs or sometimes restores stringed instruments includin’ but not limited to those in the violin family.”
“Wow,” croaks the woman on the loveseat to my right, “that’s ridiculously impressive.”
Doing my best not to blush, I politely state, “Thank you.”
“Have you missed a single question?” Kira’s dark cocoa skinned husband, Béchir, ponders post putting another point under our name.
The headshake I deliver is shyer than intended.
Look, it ain’t about showin’ off in front of Gilly’s friends – or the sieve sitting opposite of us that she was previously setup on a surprise date with – so much as not embarrassing her.
Again.
Friendsgiving is a pretty big deal.
Not only is it a tradition they do every year, it’s the first time I’ve actually gotten to meet her friends.
Between raising Bronny and hockey back in play, matching schedules with theirs isn’t easy.
Or at least that’s what she’s said.
I have no reason to doubt her.
Even if a little voice in my head won’t stop humming “Little Lies” by Fleetwood Mac.
The woman I love adoringly plants her hand on my tan, plaid, slim fit pants bearing thigh and announces, “As long as you keep the questions in the music category, the chance of that happening is like vinyl record slim.”
“We talkin’ single, ep, or album, Gillybean?” I flirtatiously inquire as I drop my mirth-filled gaze down to hers.
“Those are different sizes?” curiously asks Buchanan Edwards, the aforementioned light beige faced blind date bender.
“How do you not know that?” Lionel, Aly’s husband, playfully pokes. “I know they’ve got music in Doctenn.”
“They actually have one of the best orchestras in the world,” leaves me in an absentminded mumble. “They’re constantly buttin’ heads with Amsterdam; although, I personally think there’s no competition. The Royal Concertgebouw is better. Especially live. Sticks down.”
The gasp out of Alexis, Buchanan’s date, is loud enough to shake the plush stool me and my girlfriend are occupying. “You’ve been to New Zealand?! I’m so jelly!”
“Netherlands,” I cordially correct prior to adding, “but yeah. I’ve been all around the world for work.”
Allerick Vishwakumar, a music producer that’s currently dating Kira’s sister Ciara – who is actually my age and has been eye banging me all evening – curiously leans forward, question about what I do clearly on the tip of his tongue when the woman beside me intervenes, “Next card.”
Kira places down the one she’s holding, randomly dives into the box to fish out another, and announces, “Culinary.”
“Ohmygod say less,” Ciara enthusiastically proclaims. “This is so ours.”
“Which country drinks the most coffee per capita in the world?”
Gilly and I both shoot our hand up in tandem prompting us to chortle.
“Oooo,” coos Kira. “A team answer. Impressive.” Additional humor hopping into her expression is attached to her declaring, “Since you lifted your hands together you have to answer together.” One beat passes. “Go!”
“Finland,” we retort as requested.
“That’s correct,” she snickers, naturally leading to us doing the same.
“Why do you both know that?” grunts Allerick in obvious amusement.
“We drink a lot of coffee,” Gilly shyly answers on a loving foot tap. “It’s kinda our thing.”
“One of our things.” I wink to her.
“One of our languages.”
“Probably our second bes’.”
“Music being first?”
“Of course.”
“Make it stop,” Aly impishly scolds. “Make their cuteness stop by reading another question.”
Gilly drops her face forward to hide her blush offering an easy to lean over and plant a kiss on the side of her temple opportunity at the same time Kira grabs the next card and reads, “Category is world history.”
“At least, I have a chance at this one,” Lionel grunts from the sofa he’s occupying with his wife.
Pretty sure she doesn’t wanna put me up on the trade block.
Both Aly and Kira – honestly – seem equally impressed and relieved by my presence.
Maybe it’s because they weren’t sure what to expect since I’m evidently one of the youngest people here?
Or maybe it’s because I’m the first boyfriend – and the last – that Gilly’s ever brought to a friend function?