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“This cherry?” I pick up the cherry garnishing the top of the sundae by the ste matter I plan to take my time with this cherry I’ll lick and suck it for at least an hour, er”

“Uh-huh Well, at least you won’t be able to talk while you’re doing that”

I open ue, dra the fruit froet enough”

“I bet you can’t,” Gia says, an edge in her tone

“Hey, I’uy”

She shrugs “I’ If hockey allows you to eat and screw e person, more power to you”

“Eating, yes We burn a shit ton of calories But honestly,and relationships”

“Who said anything about dating and relationships?”

She looks cute in her purple sleeveless shirt, her hair pulled up in a ponytail And despite her outward disinterest, I think she likes me as much as I like her

“Gia, are you trying to get me into bed?” I quip

She laughs, a hearty, truly amused sound that makes me smile in return

“Not at all You’re the opposite of what I need, Maverick I’et women anytime you want”

“Doesn’t mean I want them I like women with—”

“Let uess,” she interrupts “With spunk—all over their faces”

“Oh, she’s a coaze across the table and feel a flicker of so pass between us

A brief, yet powerful spark Ahu for each other As soon as Gia looks back down at her ice cream, I want the moment back

“I think it does matter,” she says as she scoops up a bite of ice cream

“What?” I ask, confused

“Back in line, you said it doesn’t aether But it has to matter”

I nod, considering her words as I take a bite of my dessert

“I guess it matters a little bit,” I admit

“Hockey is a teaht?”