Zoey and Madison followed the security guard through the bowels of Verizon Center at a brisk pace. Madison was quiet, or if she wasn’t, Zoey didn’t hear her. She was thumbing the plastic locker room pass that hung around her neck, lost in her thoughts and memories. The man she saw on the ice today was very much the man she met in Moscow, but somehow even more. He was dangerous when he was on the ice. She was surprised at the way he threw his body into other players. She knew he was strong and his opponent usually got the worst of such confrontations. She recognized the competitiveness in him, but when he was playing hockey it was like a raging fire. She caught the eyes of some of the defenders and the goalie. They were afraid of him. He exploited that fear. But then during a break in play, she saw him talking with one of the players from the other team and he laughed. He was just Alex when he laughed, but the minute the puck dropped all friendships ended. She found herself wondering how many friendships were suspended during play, only to reappear after the game was over.
The door to the locker room opened. She could hear the sounds of celebration inside. She took a deep breath and held it. It was just like the first time she saw him in a suit. He looked incredibly handsome even though his hair was wet. He smiled and walked over to her. Then he was embracing her, kissing her cheeks, calling her name and she was swimming with emotions.
“Hello Alex,” she said as he released her. “Congratulations.”
“It was good game. Was your first?”
“Yes, it was quite an experience.”
“I am glad we could win it for you. Dis your friend?”
“Oh yes,” Zoey flushed. “This is Madison.”
Alex shook her hand. Madison was surprisingly quiet for the first time Zoey could remember. She seemed a bit star-struck.
“Book done?” asked Alex. She felt his eyes moving over her.
“Oh, yes, soon. It’s at the printers now. It took a long time, but I’m very happy with it.”
“You look beautiful, Zoey,” he said and their eyes met.
“I found the swans, Alex,” she said and watched the smile grow wide across his face. “I’m sorry I didn’t find them sooner.”
“You just find them?”
“Yes, I-” she hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him that she hadn’t even been able to remove the dolls from her luggage. She didn’t want him to know that it hurt too much to remember him. The door to the locker room swung open again, rescuing her from her discomfort. Zoey clearly heard her friend gasp. She glanced toward the doorway. She saw a young man. He was not as tall as Alex. His head was all golden blond curls, wet and combed back behind his ears. He walked over to them. Zoey could see that he had delicate features. His lips were plump and rosy like that of a cherub. His eyes were a curious shade of green because they weren’t really green. They were golden. It was the only color that Zoey could think of to describe them.
“Dis Nick,” Alex said, referring to his friend and made introductions. Nick shook each of their hands and greeted them. His voice was not as deep as Alex’s either. He seemed much younger, but Zoey knew that Alex was younger than he looked, so it was possible that they were closer in age than they looked. Zoey could almost feel Madison’s excitement next to her. She managed to say hello and made a comment about one of Nick’s assists. He smiled at her and Zoey wasn’t sure her friend was even breathing. Nick looked at his friend in a silent communication.
“I have plans tonight, but would you meet me for lunch tomorrow?” Alex asked, holding Zoey’s hand in his.
She looked up into his eyes, the same eyes that had captured her so many months ago and she couldn’t refuse.
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