Page 20 of Cherry Picker

Tate spent two years anticipating my every move. I want to show him that I’m capable of fun surprises.

“You really have no idea where I’m taking you tonight?” I ask as we walk toward the locker room.

“He’s taking you to Burger King,” Hank yells as he walks by us.

“Hank, don’t you have some zebra print underwear to put on?” I cock an eyebrow.

He smirks as he enters the locker room.

“Do I want to know what that’s about?” Tate asks.

“You really don’t.” I silently curse Hank for putting an image in my head that will unfortunately never leave.

“I’m clueless. I’ve been trying to figure out where you made the new dinner reservation.” Tate taps his chin. “I know the fancy restaurants you prefer. But you probably know that I know, so you’re going in a different direction. Perhaps an Asian-leaning restaurant, since you’re assuming I’m thinking of French or Italian food.”

“You’re way overthinking this.”

“You’re right, you’re right. Wait, can I get one guess?” Tate stands on his tiptoes, the cuteness impossible to deny.

“One guess.”

“Oishi, the Japanese steakhouse on the water.”

I stop walking and clench my eyes shut.

“Fuck. I was right. Why did I want to guess?” He smacks his hand to his forehead. “I’m not good at romance, Bill. I ruin the moment. You’re welcome to run in the opposite direction if you want.”

“I can’t believe you said Oishi.” I shake my head. “Because that’s one hundred percent…wrong!”

My roaring laughter bounces off the walls. I dab at tears pricking the corner of my eyes. A rush of victory overtakes me, not unlike when I used to win hockey games. The surprise is still alive.

Tate playfully narrows his eyes at me. “Go get changed.”

“Man, are you sure you were my assistant?”

He points to the locker room. “Go now. Before I buy a chastity belt off Amazon.”

I step into the locker room, but race right back out and swoop Tate into one more kiss. I can’t help myself. Having Tate in my life has opened my heart up and brought new levels of joy into my life that I didn’t think was possible for a guy like me. I thought I was destined to have the same luck in love as my parents. Looks like hockey isn’t the only place where I’m able to make a comeback.

There is no better feeling than Tate pressed against my body. “And for the record, you’re pretty damn good at this romance stuff, smart guy.”

The End