This Spells Love(26)

I rack my brain for a new topic of conversation. Something unabashedly Gemma-ish I can say that will immediately click with Dax. Identify me as one of his people.

Then she appears.

Like an apparition at the end of the table. Smelling of cocoa butter and confidence.

“What’s up, team? Why are you all sitting in a row like weirdos?” Her attention turns to me. “Oh hey. We haven’t met. I’m Sunny.”

She slides onto the seat beside me and extends a graceful hand. Her skin is smooth and soft. Her smile is wide and genuine and so naturally beautiful that I freeze for a half second in awe. Until she turns it to Dax, and he smiles right back, and my insides curdle.

Dax has these intense green eyes. They’re this beautiful emerald shade that I was sure was fake until one night, when we were very drunk, he let me poke his eyeball to prove he wasn’t wearing contacts. So I’ve confirmed they’re genuine. And mesmerizing, especially when he gives his undivided attention. It’s like the whole world melts away, and you feel like you’re the most interesting person he’s ever come across. Those eyes have talked me into road trips, drinking kombucha, and asking my boss for a raise I deserved. They’ve talked me out of buying Crocs, getting bangs, and many moments of self-doubt. Dax’s undivided attention is a powerful drug.

He’s giving it to Sunny right now.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I extend my arm for a shake, selfishly drawing her attention from Dax’s magic eyes to me as I repeat the whole I am Gemma, and I’m here to curl spiel.

“Gemma should give her number to Sunny,” Dax says more to Dougie than to me. “She’s the one who is always looking for a sub.”

I’m sure there’s a practical, logistic reason for Dax’s rationale. Still, it feels like he’s reached into my chest, pulled out my heart, and left it lying on the table next to my rejected friendship beer.

Sunny, however, hands me her phone. “Gemma, that would be amazing. I always feel like such an ass when I have to cancel and don’t have anyone to replace me.”

“Well, I’m more than happy to replace you.” I smile sweetly as I reluctantly plug in my digits.

“Sunny’s a two-time Canadian junior curling champion.” Dougie brags on her behalf. “Do you think you can compete?”

He winks at me. It’s supposed to be a joke. And yet that little quip needles its way straight to my heart, hitting me where I’m most vulnerable. Can I compete?

“I’m more of a warm body on the ice who knows slightly more than the fundamentals,” I admit. “But I have a good sweeping arm and am easily cajoled into buying the first round.”

“Hear, hear.” Dougie raises his glass of beer and cheers his husband. As he sets his glass down, I catch Dax’s eye for the briefest moment, noting the slight curl to his lips. Progress?

“You toss a few samples my way before we play, and I’m willing to overlook any shortcomings on the ice, my friend.” This time Dougie’s cheers is aimed at me. I clink his glass, feeling Sunny’s eyes on me again.

“Samples? Are you a chef, Gemma?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No. I own a store. We focus on clean skin and beauty products. It’s just down the street from Dax’s.”

There’s a swell of pride in my chest. This is something Dax and I have in common that he likely doesn’t share with Sunny.

“Do you own Wilde Beauty?” Sunny’s eyes grow wide as I nod. “I have been dying to go in there. Work just keeps me so busy. I can never find the time. That place looks so beautiful.”

Her tone feels 100 percent genuine. No sarcasm. No envy. None of the ugly green feelings that are currently bubbling in the pit of my stomach.

“And what do you do, Sunny?” I ask because it’s the polite thing to say next.

She breaks into yet another blinding smile. “I work over at McMaster.”

“Sunny’s a cardiothoracic surgeon,” Dax adds, although he doesn’t brag as Dougie did earlier. He says it more appreciatively.

McMaster. The children’s hospital. Could this woman get any more perfect?

“Yeah, between work and curling and volunteering at the animal shelter, I don’t get a whole lot of time to shop.” She squeezes my arm again. “But I’d really love to visit your store. I will make some time to come see you, Gemma.”

In this moment, I get it. The appeal of Sunny Khatri. Why Dax wants her as a friend. Hell, I’m beginning to think I want her as a friend.

The phone on the table in front of her vibrates. She picks it up, swipes and types, and then holds it out for us to see. “I swear to god I say the word work, and it sends out some sort of bat signal. Unfortunately, I need to go in. I’m gonna try and see if I can get an Uber. It was lovely meeting you, Gemma.”

If I were a good person, I’d be disappointed for her that the night was cut short. But I’m not. I’m too happy that this might mean I get some more time with Dax without the shinier, newer model sitting next to me for immediate comparison.

However, Dax also gets to his feet. “I can give you a ride. It’s late.”

It takes every single shred of my self-control not to shout out, No! Stay here. Hang out with me.

I watch him clap both Brandon and his cousin on the back and throw a friendly wave in my direction. “It was nice to see you again, Gemma.”