Right Man, Right Time (The Vancouver Agitators, #3)(43)

She nods. “There was no perverting over the donkeys.”

“I’m wondering why you were holding a chicken tender,” Winnie says. “That doesn’t seem like something you would eat. You’re fancy.”

“I like to switch it up when I’m at the zoo,” I say, just going with the flow at this point.

“I didn’t even know you like to go to the zoo by yourself,” Pacey says.

“Who goes to the zoo by themselves?” Posey says, walking up alone.

“Taters,” Pacey says.

“Really?” Posey asks. “That doesn’t seem like something you would do.”

“And he had a chicken tender with his fly undone while jerking off to the donkeys,” Winnie adds, causing me to pinch the bridge of my nose.

“Jesus, dude . . . come on. There are children at the zoo.”

I stand from where I was helping Ollie and hold out my hand to her. “Ready, babe?”

“Oooo.” Winnie claps her hands. “He calls her babe. Pacey, did you hear that?”

“I did.”

“I still can’t believe it. Potato has a girlfriend.”

“Glad you’re not making a big deal about it,” I say to Winnie.

“I’m happy for you. For both of you,” she says. “Let’s chat some more. I want to hear about all of the romantic things Potato does for you.”

Ollie smiles. “There’s a lot. He’s easily the best boyfriend I’ve ever had.”

Winnie clutches her chest and then, out of nowhere, comes up to me and gives me a hug. Unsure of what to do, I awkwardly pat her back as she squeezes tight.

“I’m so happy for you,” she quietly says. “I hated seeing you so upset over the summer.” She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “I can’t wait to learn more about your girl.”

Okay . . . someone is super emotional today.

Winnie and I had a rocky start, but a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was still trying to get over my breakup with Sarah and what happened that summer. It was supposed to be spent with my guys. But it was interrupted on day one by Winnie. It took me a while to accept her into the group, but after I got to know her better and saw how much she cared about Pacey, I knew she was a keeper.

And now, as she hugs me tightly, I can honestly call her a friend, even though a lot of the times she drives me nuts.

“Thanks, Winnie.”

She pulls away and goes to Pacey, who hugs her into his side. “Let’s get your skates,” he says. “Ollie, I expect to see you more later.”

“Of course.”

And with that, I take her hand in mine and guide her toward the edge of the carpet.

“So . . . potato, huh?”

I chuckle. “Winnie is something special. She’s the only one who gets to call me that.”

“And what nickname should I use for you?”

“You might have to get to know me better to find out.”

“Why do I feel like that’s an innuendo to call you daddy?”

I nearly choke as I glance down at her. “How the hell did you get that?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. You just seem like one.”

“Can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

“In my world”—she pauses and smirks—“it’s a good thing.”

That smirk makes me believe there’s so much more to this girl that I will never find out about. I already know she likes to fuck, she likes to come, she likes to be sexual, but even though I know these things, it doesn’t mean I’m going to experience it.

“Are you ready to go out on the ice?”

“No,” she answers as her hand trembles in mine.

I glance over at the open ice where kids and families are already skating.

“Do you trust me, Ollie?”

“I think so,” she answers.

“Then know when I say I won’t let you fall, I’m not going to let you fall.”

Her eyes connect with mine, worry etched in them. “You promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay,” she says. Guiding her out on the ice, I skate backward while her wobbly legs skate toward me. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Just glide with me,” I say. “Bend your knees a bit, yes, just like that. And let me bring you around the ice. Rely on the strength in your glutes, thighs, and ankles from all your workouts.”

Her hands tremble in mine, but I keep her steady on the ice as I swivel around.

“How are you feeling?”

“Okay,” she says and glances up at me, her lips barely forming a smile.

“Relax. It’ll be a lot easier if you’re not so stiff.”

“I want to make a joke about stiffness and donkey pervert, but my brain can’t seem to connect the two at the moment.”

“Well, thank God for small miracles. Maybe I should always have you on the ice.” I bring her closer to the boards so if she wants to grab on to them, she can.

“See those kids over there?” she says, nodding to the right.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Please, for the love of God, keep them away from me.”

I chuckle. “Understood.”