Page 37 of Right Man, Right Time
“No, I mean, initial attraction clearly is what got us talking, but how did we hang on to the conversation? Obviously, I know nothing about hockey, so it’s not like we can bond over that. And I doubt you’re a lifestyle guru.”
“Are you?” I ask.
“Maybe not the guru status yet, but I do know a thing or two about the proper way to use a bobby pin.”
I scratch the side of my jaw. “Yeah, I don’t know much about that.”
“But you do know how to create a kick-ass home gym, and that’s hot.”
“So I have one thing going for me.” I take a bite of my salad. “Where are you from?”
“Portland, Oregon. What about you?”
“Minnesota.”
She chuckles. “Not the same thing.”
“Not so much.”
“Do you have any siblings?” she asks.
“I have a sister,” I say. “But we’re not super close.”
“Yeah, I don’t have any siblings.”
“What about childhood? What did you like to do?” I ask, fishing for any commonality now.
“Take pictures of moss. Collect stickers. Pretend that the sticks I found were a wand, and I was Hermione Granger.”
I pause and glance at her. “You’re a Potter head?”
She grips the edge of the table. “Please, for the love of all that is holy, please tell me that you’re a Potter head as well.”
“Eh, not so much.”
She groans. “Ughhh, really?”
“No, I actually am.”
“Stop, are you?” she asks.
“Yes, and I read some of the books when they were first released. That’s how old I am compared to you. I have some first editions.”
“You’re a liar,” she yells, excitement bustling in her eyes. “Seriously?”
“Yes, they’re my prized possessions. Have you been to Harry Potter World?”
“No,” she bemoans. “But when I graduate, I plan on going. I’m assuming since you’re rich and can do whatever you want when you’re not playing, you’ve been?”
“I have.”
“Is the butter beer everything I think it would be?”
“And then some,” I answer. “Harry Potter World is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to fandom. It feels so real.”
“Urrghh, I’m so jealous. Did you get sorted into a house?”
“Yeah, Gryffindor.”
