Rinkside Romance

FOUR

Over the next few weeks, Mason and Annika's friendship deepened. They spent more time together, both on and off the ice. Annika's skills were rapidly improving, and Giulia even started considering her for the girls' team. Mason couldn't help but feel proud whenever he saw Annika glide across the ice with confidence.

One crisp Friday afternoon, Mason invited Annika to his house. She arrived at the Ridge household, a modest but cozy home, and was warmly greeted by Mason's mom, Layla.

"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Ridge," Annika said politely.

"Call me Layla, dear," she replied with a warm smile. "Come on in, make yourself at home."

Edward, Mason's dad, gave Annika a friendly nod from the kitchen where he was preparing dinner. Evan, Mason's younger brother, peeked out from behind his father, curious about his brother's new friend.

"Hey, Evan," Mason said, ruffling his brother's hair. "This is Annika."

"Hi," Evan said shyly.

Annika knelt down to Evan's level. "Nice to meet you, Evan. I hear you're quite the artist."

Evan's eyes lit up. "You like drawing too?"

Annika nodded. "I love it. Maybe you can show me some of your drawings later?"

Evan beamed and nodded eagerly.

Mason led Annika upstairs to his room. Posters of his favorite hockey players adorned the walls, and his hockey gear was neatly organized in the corner. Annika took it all in, feeling a sense of comfort in his space.

"This is nice," she said, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Thanks," Mason replied, sitting next to her. "Sorry if it's a bit of a mess."

"It's perfect," Annika assured him.

They spent the afternoon talking about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily. Mason found himself opening up to Annika in ways he hadn't with anyone else. He told her about his dreams, his fears, and even his insecurities about leading the team.

Annika listened intently, offering words of encouragement and understanding. "You're going to do great things, Mason. I can feel it."

Mason smiled, her words giving him a boost of confidence. "Thanks, Annika. That means a lot."

Layla called them down for dinner, and they joined the rest of the Ridge family at the table. The meal was filled with laughter and stories, and Annika felt a warmth and belonging that she hadn't felt in a long time. Mason's family welcomed her with open arms, and she cherished every moment.

After dinner, Mason and Annika walked to the nearby park. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape. They sat on a bench, watching the sky change colors.

"Your family is wonderful," Annika said softly.

"Thanks," Mason replied. "They really like you."

Annika smiled, looking down at her hands. "I really like them too. And... I really like spending time with you."

Mason's heart skipped a beat. "I really like spending time with you too, Annika."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying each other's company. As the stars began to appear in the sky, Mason felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.

Eventually, they made their way back to Annika's house. Standing on her front porch, Mason felt a surge of emotions. He didn't want the night to end.

"Thanks for tonight," Annika said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was perfect."

"Anytime," Mason replied. "I had a great time too."

There was a moment of hesitation, and then Annika stepped forward and gave Mason a hug. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes. Mason hugged her back, feeling a connection that was growing stronger with each passing day.

"Goodnight, Mason," Annika said, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on his shoulders.

"Goodnight, Annika," Mason replied, his heart pounding.

He watched as she went inside, then turned and walked home, his thoughts filled with her. As he lay in bed that night, Mason knew that what he felt for Annika was more than just a crush. It was something real, something deep.