Looking for You (Oh Captain, My Captain #1) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith

would you want to date a girl who doesn’t know about hockey? How does she not know?”
    “Just because it’s ingrained in our life, doesn’t mean it is in everyone else’s. Hockey is our passion, not hers. That’s all.”
    He nods and then asks with a smirk, “So what does she think about one of the league’s most famous captains?”
    “Will you quit that?” Gerald just laughs. “The point is between her and my sister getting on my case, I’ve been a little distracted.”
    Gerald’s attention piques at the mention of my sister. “What’s little Whitney King been doing to ya?”
    “Nothing I can’t handle.”
    Just then two girls walk up to us as our game of darts end. Gerald’s smile nearly overtakes his face.
    “You two play for the Portland Vikings, right?” The blonde closest to me asks. She’s looking at me like I could fulfill her every fantasy if she plays her cards just right.
    Gerald puts his arms over my shoulders. “Yes. Yes, we do, ladies. This here is our captain,” he shakes me a little, “and I just wear a little A on my jersey. Are you fans?” Gerald loves this stuff. He eats it up like it’s forbidden fruit.
    “I am,” the blonde says. “My friend is a newbie. We were at the game tonight and you two were exceptionally fabulous. It’s so great to actually meet you guys.”
    Gerald leads us over to the bar, and I spend the next hour listening to these girls flirt with us. It’s getting late. I have a busy day tomorrow, and I’m tired.
    “It was really nice to meet you. I need to go though. Have fun with Gerald.” I pay my tab and leave.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Ellie: Want to meet for lunch?
     
    I barely talked to her yesterday, and I feel bad that I can’t meet her today. I did do something to make up for it that she should have in about five minutes.
     
    Me: Sorry, I’m out of town until Monday. :/
    Ellie: Oh, okay.
    Me: We’ll have another movie night when I get back.
     
    She takes a couple minutes to respond.
     
    Ellie: Sounds perfect. :) Thank you for the flowers and chocolates!
     
    I wanted to send her something to surprise her and let her know that I was thinking about her.
     
    Me: You’re welcome. Hope you like it.
    Ellie: I love it. I better let you go…
    Me: I’ll call you when I get the chance, okay?
    Ellie: Sounds good. Travel safely. :)
     
     

Chapter Twelve
    Ellie
     
    Lacey and I took the day off together. Jeffrey has been on my case making sure that I’m dressed appropriately for this dinner next month. Since I have nothing in my closet, I asked Lacey to go with me. She has great fashion sense.
    She walks into my house yelling that she’s ready to make me into a supermodel. I just roll my eyes at her.
    “Wait a second, what are these?” She points to the large dozen of roses on my counter that Hudson sent me.
    “Hudson sent them to me.” I smile brightly looking at the bright red roses.
    “Oh my God, did you have sex?” Lacey looks at me wide eyed.
    “What? No, I didn’t.” Lacey knows that I’m still a virgin, but never really teased me about it.
    “A guy doesn’t send roses like that without a little nookie for it.”
    I blush and hang my head. “Well, he did sleep in my bed the other night, but the roses are because he’s out of town for work the past couple days.”
    “Whoa, back up! Did you say he slept in your bed? And nothing happened?”
    I nod my head. “He was a perfect gentleman.”
    “That’s it.” Lacey throws her arms up in the air. “I have to meet him.”
    I laugh at her. “Come on, let’s go.” Not answering her. I grab my purse, and we head to Portland.
    The whole drive Lacey is nagging me to meet Hudson. I finally give in and tell her that I will talk to him about it. We head straight for downtown Portland where all the dress stores are. I took money out of my savings, but I still don’t have a lot to spend. I’m hoping to find something that will work.
    Shop after shop we look for the perfect dress for me.