“Gosh… I can’t even remember how long it’s been.” 13 hours ago. “I actually ran into her at the coffee shop down the street in Florida.” I was a little concerned at how easily the lie slipped out. “Her blonde hair was covering her eyes so I couldn’t see her well, but man…” I turned to look Olive straight in her eyes. “…I was a goner when I saw those green eyes.” Her cheeks flushed, and I continued. “Turns out she was actually quite the grump, and after finding out she was from Colorado too, I just couldn’t leave without her.”

No lies there. Olive had my interest piqued, and I couldn’t stand us being in the same town for two weeks with no communication. I turned to look at her in a way that I hoped was lovingly. “Seems just like yesterday.” It technically was yesterday. Olive smirked a little at my last comment, and I couldn’t help but smile back at her at our little secret.

“Wow, what are the chances that you’re both from Colorado? It must have been fate.” Olive’s mom had her hand over her chest.

Without breaking eye contact with Olive, I said, “Yeah…definitely fate.”

“Oh! That is so sweet, isn’t it Tom?” Olive’s mom touched her husband's bicep. “We actually met on a cruise when we were young. Fell in love in just a few days!” Olive’s dad, Tom, cracked a smile but quickly sealed it away.

Her mom moved to the next couple. “Matt and Taylor used to work together when they were in high school. They’ve been married for almost five years.” Matt smiled dearly at his wife, and you could tell he was as smitten as Tom.

When Olive’s mom didn’t say anything about Sarah and Logan at the end of the table I asked, “How did you two meet?”

The waiter came up right before anyone could answer my question. “What would you like to—“

“Drink! Yes, Long Island iced tea please,” Olive loudly interrupted, and everyone at the table turned to her. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked ready to crawl under the table. Concern flooded my veins as her face turned bright red. I made a mental note to ask her what that was about later.

While everyone ordered their drinks, Tom looked at Olive and lowered a brow, his eyes suggesting something, but I wasn’t sure what. I took notice of his tie, patterned in a deep red and light blue I would know anywhere.

“You a fan of the Colorado Avalanche, sir?” I pointed to the tie with my team colors and hoped it wasn’t a coincidence. Thankfully, I was correct.

He nodded his head and seemed a bit more interested in me now. “You’re a hockey fan?”