Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
We chat about Queer Crossings, venting about the characters, while I try to remember the last time I enjoyed talking to someone so much, when I’ve felt this kind of…giddy excitement about a new person. Honestly, I can’t think of another instance at all. Maybe I’m jumping the gun here, but it makes me wonder if this could be the start of something, if Anthony might be into me too, or at least, seeing if we connect on a level outside of friendship.
Me: Do you have plans on Sunday?
Anthony: Nope. What’s up?
Me: I thought maybe I could take you out to dinner. There’s a new sushi place on La Cienega that I’ve been wanting to try.
God, I haven’t been on a date in how long?
Anthony: Sure. That’d be fun. What’s the name and what time? I can meet you there.
What the hell kind of dates has he been on before? If I’m doing this, I’m doing it right.
Me: I’ll pick you up. Seven sound good?
Anthony: That works for me! I haven’t been out for good sushi in a long time.
I grin, happy with my choice of restaurant.
Me: Great. I’m looking forward to it. I should go, though. I need to get some sleep. We have another game tomorrow night.
Anthony: You say that like I don’t know. Calgary doesn’t stand a chance!
Me: Bite your tongue! You’ll jinx us.
Anthony: Hockey players are so silly. You’ll be fine. Good night, Kason Maddox.
I have no idea why he does that sometimes, why he calls me by my first and last name. Still, it makes me smile.
Me: Good night, Anthony Damiani.
A real date. This should be fun.
CHAPTER TWO
Anthony
“Beautiful, Makayla! That was a fantastic combination!” I tell the little girl who beams up at me, bouncing on her feet and making the beads at the ends of her braids clink together.
“Thanks, Mr. Anthony! I was working on it all week.”
I’ve been giving private dance lessons to Makayla for close to two years now, and the growth in her is amazing. I love teaching dance to kids, love giving them the outlet I had to fight so hard for when I was a child. While I don’t have a lot of clients, all of them are students who, whether because of money issues or other difficulties, likely wouldn’t be able to dance if it wasn’t for me, and doing that kind of work means something to me. Makayla’s dad passed away, and her mom is doing the best she can by the little girl she loves so much, and if I can make that easier on them with free or low-cost lessons, I’m damn sure going to do it.
“It paid off,” I tell her as we continue with the lesson, her mom watching and grinning from one of the chairs along the wall of the studio I rent.
Once we’re done, Makayla runs to the back to change, and I join her mom. “She’s doing great,” I tell Chelsea.
“Thanks! It’s so fun to see her fall in love with dancing. It’s brightened up her world so much since losing her daddy.”
“It was my happy place too. The good thing for Makayla is it’s only one of her safe spaces. She’s lucky to have you.”
“We’re lucky to have you.” Chelsea grabs my hand and squeezes it.
“I do this for me too. I love it.”
She offers up a smile, then asks, “Are you doing anything fun today? I’m heading to work after this. I’m dropping Makayla off with my sister.”
“I’m going out with this guy I know.”
“Ooooh. A date?”
I chuckle. “No, just a friend thing.” Dating is so off my radar, I’m surprised I remember the definition of the word. I’ve always just looked to have a good time. I never wanted anything serious, and then I thought something serious had found me. Being with Malcolm taught me to never even attempt to take that road again.
Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, I’m not the guy someone like Mads would look for. He’s sweet, bighearted. The guy tears up when we watch soap operas, for God’s sake. Why would he want to take a chance on someone who clearly doesn’t know the first thing about relationships and is much happier with no-strings-attached flings?
“Well, you never know. Maybe it’ll turn into more, and if not, it’s nice to just spend time with friends.”
It really is. I’m enjoying my friendship with Mads even more than I thought I would. There’s something calming about him, something that makes him easy to talk to—and coming from me, someone who puts it all out there unless it’s from all those vulnerable places inside me, that means something.
The thing is…he’s hot…like super hot and the more time I spend with him, the more attracted to him I become, and that’s not what I should be thinking about when it comes to our friendship.