Page 26 of One Good Puck (Denver Bashers #5)

Abby

I wanna take you out for a drink. Are you free tomorrow night?

I stare at my phone screen while standing at the kitchen counter, reading the message Jared sent me.

For the past week, I’ve been texting with him. I can’t believe we’ve gotten this far, honestly. I wasn’t really in the mood to start up a conversation with a random guy on a dating app. But Camden and Dakota said I should give it a shot.

So did Gavin, which totally threw me off. I wasn’t expecting him to say that.

Especially not after our conversation at Bella and Blomdahl’s engagement party, when we both acknowledged that we find each other attractive.

And after how sweet he was at the skating rink with Emma. When I think about him helping her put on ice skates and teaching her how to skate, my heart melts…and my attraction for him grows about a million times stronger .

But we agreed not to act on our feelings for each other. We agreed to just be friends and roommates, nothing more.

You pushed for that, remember?

I sigh, feeling disappointed, but knowing it’s the right thing to do.

No matter how much I want Gavin, I don’t want to make our living situation awkward by crossing the line with him.

I glance back at my phone screen and skim my text exchange with Jared. I honestly didn’t think anything would come out of our conversation. I figured it would fizzle out, like every other dating app conversation I’d have.

But he’s been funny and engaging. He’s my age and works in sales for an insurance company. He’s asked me questions about myself. And when I told him that I have a seven-year-old daughter, he didn’t go running for the hills, like so many other guys.

Maybe I should give him a chance. It’s just one drink. No way will this be a love connection, but it might be fun to go out and have a drink with him.

I pick up my phone and text him back.

Me: A drink tomorrow night sounds fun :)

Jared: Great! I was thinking someplace nice, if that’s cool with you?

A tiny pang of excitement hits me. It’s been forever since I’ve been out to someplace fancy.

Me: Yeah, definitely!

A second after I text him back, nerves fire off inside of me. It’s been years since I’ve gotten dressed up for a date. I don’t even know what to wear.

I text Dakota and Sophie.

Me: I need dating advice *sweating emoji*

Dakota: We’re your girls!

Sophie: Oh yay! Are you going out with that guy from the dating app?

Me: Yeah. We’re getting drinks tomorrow night. What should I wear?

Dakota: It depends on how fancy the place is that you’re going to.

Me: We haven’t picked a place yet, but he said it’s going to be fancy.

Dakota: If you really wanna knock his socks off, wear that tight little bandage dress you tried on in front of Sophie and me.

Sophie: *flame emoji*

Me: I’d rather not have my boobs out on a first date lol

Sophie: Haha fair enough

Dakota: I’d go with something simple, like a little black dress.

Sophie: That’s a great idea!

Me: Yes! Why didn’t I think of that? Dakota, you’re a genius

Sophie: She’s been helping me dress myself for years. She helped me pick out the dress I wore to Valentine’s Day dinner with Xander when we first started dating. You should have seen Xander’s face. His eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw me lol

Dakota: That’s because you’re a hottie, Sophie.

Sophie: Aww, thanks

Me: I’m so glad I texted you two. If I try on a couple of dresses, will you tell me which one looks best?

Sophie: Absolutely!

I chuckle as I walk up to my bedroom and open my closet. I grab the two black dresses that I own and try them both on, take some photos in the full-length mirror, and add them to the group chat with Sophie and Dakota.

Sophie: You look so pretty in both!

Dakota: Yes! Both of these look so good on you! But my vote is for the sleeveless with the lower neckline.

Sophie: Me too. The one with the capped sleeves is pretty for sure, but you look dynamite in the other one. It fits you like a glove.

Me: Okay, I’ll wear that one. Thanks, you two! You’re a godsend for this single mom whose preferred wardrobe is yoga pants and hasn’t been on a date years lol

Dakota: High-five for yoga pants

Sophie: Always here to help out!

I smile at my phone and look at my reflection in the mirror. Gavin pops into my mind, and I instantly wonder what he’d think of me in this dress.

I think back to that night we almost kissed, when I bumped into him while wearing that skimpy bandage dress, how he couldn’t stop staring at me.

And then I wonder what it would be like to go on a date with Gavin. I bet he’d be a gentleman. Very attentive and thoughtful, just like he is as a friend.

Is he romantic? Is he bold enough to kiss on a first date?

My skin flushes, and I shake my head, pushing the thought away. I’m not going on a date with Gavin. I’m going on a date with Jared.

As I change back into my yoga pants and hoodie, I try to ignore that disappointed feeling that floats through me.