Goalie Interference (NHL Scorpions) (5 page)

Dating the puck bunnies was a mistake, but like he said, maybe this girl was different.

“I think it’s a start. Going on a date is a good way to get moving in the right direction anyway. Go for it.”

Zoe’s date with Sebastian was just like all the others, kind of flat. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a good time, because she did. The problem was that he wasn’t Vlad. She had dated Sebastian a couple of times before, and they both agreed there was just no chemistry between them. Then they met up at the grocery store, of all places, and decided to try again. Still no spark.

When they left the restaurant, Sebastian took the opportunity to kiss her before they got into the car. He laughed, probably at Zoe’s expression when he pulled back from her lips. “I think it says a lot that I’m not even insulted by that look on your face. I feel like I just inappropriately kissed my sister. Let’s not try dating anymore and move onto friendship. What do you say?”

Zoe released a breath and let out a relieved laugh. “I think that’s the best idea you’ve had tonight. What were we thinking anyway? Our first time dating wasn’t much different.” She put her arm around Sebastian’s waist and gave him a squeeze.

“Since we got that out of the way, what do you say we go back to your house and take a stroll on the beach?”

Zoe smiled her first sincere smile of the night. “Sounds like a plan. If it’s still light enough, want to throw the Frisbee around or something?”

“You’re on. I know you like to compete, so how about whoever misses it the most pays for ice cream at that place near your house?” Zoe loved the idea. And it was even better when he lost and had to buy.

They walked the six blocks to the ice cream shop from Zoe’s house. As soon as they entered, the hostess seated them, handing them menus. When the waitress walked over with glasses of water, Zoe reached out to take hers the same moment she saw Vlad walk in the door, with whom she assumed was his date. The glass slipped out of her hand and hit the table with a thud. It didn’t break, but it made a hell of a noise and water went flying.

Sebastian grabbed the glass and glanced over to see what had startled her. She looked at him and was horrified to see that his shirt was soaked.

“Shit! I’m sorry.” How embarrassing!

“Hey, it’s just a little water, no big deal.”

She sighed and shook her head. “Vlad just walked in. With a date. Do you mind if we leave?”

“I don’t mind, Zoe, but I think we should stay. I realize I only know a little bit about your thing with him, but maybe it’s good for both of you to get used to seeing each other with other people. But that’s just my two cents. You want to leave? Just say the word.”

Dammit, why couldn’t she have feelings for this guy? He was nice and considerate. He had a good job, a healthy relationship with his family, and was quite the hottie. It made no logical sense that they felt nothing for each other beyond friendship. “No. You’re right. Let’s just order our ice cream, eat the damn stuff, and get it over with.”

“Wow. You’re a dream date, you know that? I’ll try not to let your love for me go to my head.” Sebastian gave her a wink so she knew he was only playing with her.

“You know what, Sebastian? I think you and I are going to be great friends.” She got a sneaky look in her eyes and continued, “You know, there’s this girl in the marketing department that I think would be perfect for you. She’s got a five year old little girl, though. What do you think?”

“I think I’d love to meet her. I trust your opinion, and I’m not afraid of a woman with a child. I like kids. Aside from that, I’m tired of being alone. You know, I don’t get it. I think I’m a nice guy, I have a steady income, I’m not totally ugly, and I treat a lady like a lady. Why the hell am I still single?” Sebastian looked so completely baffled; Zoe had to laugh at him.

“Who knows? Look how friggin’ adorable I am, and I’m still single. Sometimes the world is just a bit off kilter.”

“Yeah, but your situation is different. You’ve already found your love. You just haven’t figured out how to make it work yet.”

Vlad could not believe Zoe and that Spanish dude were there. What were the chances? Okay, well the chances really weren’t that unlikely. The ice cream shop was only five or six blocks from Zoe’s place. It made him wonder if, subconsciously, he was hoping she might be there. Jesus, now he sounded like her when she did her psychoanalysis bullshit on him. Although, much to his chagrin, she was usually right.

“Vlad? Did you hear me, baby?” He hated that Cindy was already using pet names. It was their first date! And what a mistake it was.

“No, sorry. Huh?”

“I asked if you wanted to come home with me. You don’t have to wonder why. I’m a sure thing, baby.” She slid her leg up his thigh under the table as she licked her lips. When he moved his legs, she got angry with him. “All right, what’s the deal? I thought you’d want to have sex with me.”

Well, she certainly was straight forward. “Look Cindy, I think this was a mistake. I thought you were one of the nice girls who maybe wanted to get to know me. Let me just take you home.”

It was clear Cindy didn’t like that response as she picked up her water glass and dumped it on him. “I’ll get my own ride home. I can’t believe I wasted an entire night on you. My friends were right: I should have gone with one of the younger guys.”

“Yeah, whatever. See ya.” Trying in vain to mop up the water on his shirt with the two tiny napkins on the table, Vlad figured he got what he deserved. The only time he should go out with a puck bunny was when he just wanted some tail. He got up and walked over to Zoe’s table.

“Hey Doc, Jose.”

Zoe saw red. “His name is Sebastian, Vlad, as you well know. What happened to your date? Does she have school tomorrow? Had to meet curfew?” Shit! Why was she baiting him again?

Vlad laughed off her comment. “Funny stuff, Zoe. But no, we just weren’t meant to be. Some people are meant to be together and some aren’t. You know what I mean, don’t you?” He tugged on her blouse. “Like Jody and Lacey.”

Sebastian appeared amused at their interaction. He had mentioned earlier that he thought Vlad and Zoe had fire between them, whatever that meant. Zoe was pretty sure he had some special power to see what people were feeling beneath the façade they showed to the world. He was definitely an interesting guy. She thought again that it really was shame she only thought of him as a friend.

“Yes, actually I do know what you mean. Those two
were
meant to be together, but some people aren’t. However, I do understand that not everyone is smart enough to realize when they’re fighting a losing battle. You know what
I
mean, don’t you, Vlad?” Zoe crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Sure. But you have to admit—sometimes the smarter ones are the ones who lose out. Life is all about taking chances.
Sometimes
you even have to interfere to get what you want. What’s the point in playing it safe if there’s something so incredible right in front of you?” He looked at her with a tenderness that was hard for her to process. “So extraordinarily incredible.” Vlad tugged on her blouse once more and left.

“That was entertaining. You two are a mess. Come on, Zoe. Let’s get our ice cream to go. We can go sit on your deck and talk for a while. Sound good?”

Zoe thought that was a great idea. She could use someone to talk to, and she knew Lacey would be asleep by now. “You really are going to be a great friend, aren’t you? I feel so comfortable around you, and ask anyone, that’s rare. I don’t trust so easily. Of course I’m usually the happy-go-lucky kind of girl. Vlad just pushes all my buttons.”

“You might be better off if you actually did let him push your buttons.”

“Oh, I see what you’re doing. Real nice. Okay … well, for you information, we’ve been there, done that.”

She could see that
that
shocked him. “You slept with your client? You’ve got to be kidding me. Oh, this just got so much more interesting.”

“I’m trusting you to keep your mouth shut. What is it about you that makes me spill my guts?” Zoe still hadn’t even told Lacey yet. Their whole conversation was crazy, even for her.

Sebastian looked her in the eye and reassured her. “I would never tell a soul what you told me in confidence. I know we don’t know each other very well, but I feel a strong connection to you. I’m sure you think it’s all voodoo crap or some other kind of psychic BS, but it’s not. There’s a reason we were put together. We know that we don’t have a romantic connection, but maybe I’m here to help you. Or just listen. Whatever it is, I’m here.”

Zoe let out a relieved sigh. “Okay. I guess I could use someone to talk to. I hate to burden Lacey with my drama right now. The baby’s been keeping her up at night lately, and she’s not getting much sleep.”

“The baby? Isn’t she still pregnant?”

“Oh yeah, she is. I mean the baby’s been sitting on her bladder a lot and has recently started kicking her at all hours of the night. I hate to give her more to think about or worry over right now, you know?”

“Sure. So let’s get our ice cream and vamoose.”

It was almost three weeks until the Halloween game, and Zoe was in Lacey’s living room discussing their costumes. A lot of people dressed up for the game, and it was fun to take part in. There was even a contest for the best costume. The previous year, Zoe dressed as a belly dancer, and Lacey was a fallen angel.

“You should be the fallen angel again. That would be a sight. A pregnant angel would definitely be fallen.” Zoe was going to dress in something sexy as usual.

“Hey,” Lacey said, swinging the subject back to Zoe. “Why don’t you go as Elvira?”

“Have you actually
seen
Elvira? Her boobs are huge.” Zoe cupped herself. “Look at these girls, Lace. Look at them! They’re tiny. Ain’t no way I could pull off Elvira.”

“Hmmm, well I guess you have a point. How about a devil? That suits you better anyway.”

“Bite me, Lace. Devils have been done to death. Besides, I want to dress ultra sexy this year. I need something that’s going to attract some men. I want to start dating again.”