Page 63 of Pucking Forbidden

Sighing, I start wandering the lobby idly. I come to a large corkboard on one wall with different flyers and messages attached to it. I scan them, trying to keep my mind distracted, and my gaze falls on one flyer that stands out in particular.

Experience-Based Teaching Scholarships

Huh. That’s interesting. I read the flyer more closely. It’s for people with practical experience looking for opportunities to transition into education programs outside of the traditional track.

I immediately think of Hadley. This is just the kind of thing that could help her not have to rely on her dad for her schooling. Looking around to make sure no one’s watching, I reach up and grab the flyer, pulling it from the board, then I fold it up and slip it into my pocket.

Footsteps echo behind me at that moment, and I turn to find Hadley hurrying toward me, now dressed in hip-hugging jeans and a loose sweatshirt that slips past one of her delicate shoulders, leaving it bare.

“Ready?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I manage to choke out, forcing my eyes away from her bare shoulder and to her face. “Where do you want to eat?”

She appears thoughtful a moment before answering, “Well, we could go back to my place. I just need to stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things first.”

I shrug. “Sure, that’s no problem.”

She arches a brow. “Really? You want to come grocery shopping with me?”

Chuckling, I nod. “Why not? I can grab a few things and cook you dinner.”

Her lips part, and she looks surprised. “Oh…okay.”

She sounds a little breathless and drops her gaze from mine as she blushes again. It’s actually pretty easy to get her to blush…it’s kind of adorable.

We turn for the door and walk out together into the cool, early evening air. I let my hand hover over the small of her back, guiding her without touching, reminding myself again and again that anything more is crossing a line that can’t be uncrossed.

Still, there’s a small amount of heat inside me, almost taunting me as it tempts me with the idea that it might be worth it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: DINNER

JULIAN

The grocery store is busy when we arrive. Hadley walks beside me, tucking her hands into the sleeves of her sweater as we move through the aisles.

“So,” she says, glancing at me. “What are you making?”

I shoot her a wink. “You’ll see.”

She grins up at me, leaning her forearm against the handle of the shopping cart as I carefully inspect a bunch of fresh rosemary, checking the leaves for color. “You’re kind of full of surprises, you know?”

I shrug, tossing the herbs into the cart as we move down the produce aisle. “Eh, not really. I honestly like to cook. You just have to dial in the exact balance…like picking up some fresh garlic and a splash of acid to cut the heavy fats. Do you cook?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Not really.”

“No interest, or…?” I trail off, raising an eyebrow as I reach for a bulb of garlic, tossing it in my hand to check its weight.

“Oh, that’s not really it,” she admits, her expression softening into something wistful as her gaze drifts to the colorful displays of vegetables. “My grandmother tried, but I was more interested in eating what she made than learning how to make it myself. Then, she passed away, and…I lost my chance.”

I stop walking, my hand lingering on the handle of the cart. I glance over at her, the vulnerability in her voice striking a chord in my chest.

“Dad wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to take over the lessons, either,” she adds, a dry, humorous edge returning to her voice as if trying to mask the pain underlying it. “Not that he can cook anyway. The man considers ordering takeout a major culinary achievement.”

I glance at her. “You serious?”

“Very.”

“Huh.” Why is that thought kind of…depressing?