Amelia
Hey you, what are you up to?
Erika
I may or may not be watching highlights from yesterday’s Blackhawks game…
Amelia
Who are you and what have you done with my sister?
Erika
Haha, it *is* me. Something happened that sparked a mild curiosity, that’s all.
Amelia
Ooh, this sounds good. Explain.
Erika
The other day I got another text for the girl who had my number before me.
Erika
It was Cole Ryder from the Chicago Blackhawks and we ended up talking a little.
Amelia
Shut the front door! Why was he texting her?
Erika
She won some kind of win-a-date contest with him. Since he can’t get in touch with her, he wants ME to go.
Amelia
That’s so cool! When are you going?
Amelia
What do you mean you’re not?
Amelia
A hockey celebrity asks you to go on a date, you say YES.
Erika
I’m not interested in dating anyone right now, much less a guy who has paparazzi following him 24/7.
Erika
You know I had enough of that growing up with Dad. No thanks.
A text notification pops up on my screen. It’s Cole!
My belly does a little flip, which is very annoying.
But I make up an excuse with my sister anyway, so I can talk to him.
Erika
Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’m going to hop in the shower. Talk tomorrow 😘
I click on Cole’s text, opening to our thread.
Cole
Go on a date with me.
Erika
That’s your opening line? No “Hi, how are you, Erika?”
Cole
Sorry, I’ve been dying to ask you for 4 days.
Cole
But I’ll play your game…
Cole
Hi, how are you, Erika? I’ve been thinking about you.
Erika
I’m well, thank you. I’m surprised you had time to think of anything other than winning those games in LA.
Cole
Whoa! Are you saying that the girl who claims to be anti-hockey actually watched me play?!
Erika
I never said I was anti-hockey. I just said I wasn’t a fan.
Erika
And no, I didn’t watch the games.
Erika
I watched the highlights.
Cole
I’m flattered! For the record, I’m totally not doing a dorky victory dance over here.
Erika
LOL Thanks for that hilarious image of what you’re not doing.
Cole
If it keeps you laughing, I’ll not do all sorts of goofy stuff 😜
Erika
Good to know, but maybe you should pace yourself.
Erika
I noticed there’s another player on your team with the same last name. Coincidence?
Cole
Nope. That’s Cason. Teammate, roommate, and twin brother.
Erika
Wow! Can’t get away from the guy, huh?
Cole
Nah. I’m older by 3 minutes. Kid looks up to me.
Cole
What about you? Any siblings?
Erika
Just an older sister named Amelia. We’re really close, too, but she lives with her fiancé.
Cole
Of your separate living conditions, not your sister’s fiancé.
Erika
I’m glad you clarified.
Cole
So what have you been up to? I mean, besides watching my highlights and pining for me?
Erika
Pining? Are you from the Middle Ages? Exactly how old are you?
Cole
More like my mid-twenties. I’m 24. How old are you?
Erika
Definitely younger than you.
Cole
Please tell me you’re old enough to drink legally.
Erika
Hmmm...in which country?
Erika
Relax, I’m messing with you! I’m 22.
Erika
Not many teenagers have their esthetician licenses, LOL.
Cole
Whew! I didn’t think about that. I just panicked at the thought of flirting with a minor.
Cole
Seriously, I think I just lost a year off my life—
Cole
You should make it up to me by going on this fantasy date with me.
Erika
You’re persistent, I’ll give you that much…
Erika
But the answer is still no.
Cole
OK, fine. Why don’t we get to know each other better first?
Cole
What’s your favorite meal?
Erika
Portillo’s cheesy Italian beef sandwich with cheese fries and a chocolate malt.
Cole
A true Chicago girl after my own heart. I love their Maxwell Street Polish.
Cole
What about your first kiss?
Erika
You go from favorite meal to first kiss???
Cole
Trying to cover both ends of the getting-to-know-you spectrum. Come on, humor me.
Erika
15 years old, with Billy Daly, after tennis practice.
Erika
It was awkward and disappointing, LOL.
Cole
I’m getting two things from that.
Cole
One, you like sweaty athletes (and I happen to be one)…
Cole
And two, your kissing bar is low, so you’ll be plenty wowed by my kissing prowess.
I throw my head back and laugh. I really like his sense of humor.
It makes me wonder if I’d have this much fun with him in person…
Erika
I can’t believe you actually said “kissing prowess.”
Cole
Believe it, buttercup. It’s a thing, and I have it.
Cole
My first kiss was with Becky Linde. I was 12 and she was 14. I’m pretty sure I rocked her world.
Erika
How could you not with all that prowess you have?
Cole
This is what I’m saying!
Cole
So, Erika, have you ever been to Mackinac Island?
Erika
No, but I’ve always wanted to go.
Cole
Perfect! That’s where the fantasy date is.
Cole
Come on the date with me.
Crap! That was tricky of him. I’m running out of excuses.
Erika
It sounds great, Cole, but I’m not a fan of being in the limelight.
Erika
And while the date itself might be a fantasy, the publicity that comes with it would be my nightmare.
Cole
Then screw the fantasy date.
Cole
I’ll make up some excuse to my PR manager and tell her it’s a bust.
Cole
Let’s go on a completely incognito date. Just Cole taking Erika...
Cole
What’s your last name?
The minute people learn my last name, I cease to be me.
I turn into “Senator Gregory Vaughn’s youngest daughter.”
Erika
No last name. Just Erika.
Cole
Perfect. It’ll be Just Cole taking Just Erika on a low-key lunch date.
Cole
We can wear brimmed hats and sunglasses as disguises. Very James Bond.
It’s a compelling sales pitch — the chance to go out with a man who has no idea who I am.
A man who has no hidden agenda to further his political career or boost his public image.
Cole
Come on, Just Erika. Take a chance on me. I promise you won’t regret it.
Erika
Okay, Just Cole. You have a date.
