The Perfect Shot

Chapter 7: Perfectly Out of Focus

Jack's POV

  I push open the doors of the arena, stepping into the cool morning air. There's a buzz of excitement under my skin that has nothing to do with practice and everything to do with the fact that I'm about to spend the day with Stevie. I can't remember the last time I was this hyped for something that wasn't hockey.

 As we head toward the parking lot, I glance over at her. She's a few steps ahead of me, her camera bag slung over her shoulder, and I catch myself smiling. The way the sunlight hits her hair makes me do a double-take. She's probably already thinking about the perfect shot she's going to capture today, while I'm just thinking about her.

 "Hey, you ready for this?" I call out, quickening my pace to catch up. I give her a playful nudge when I'm by her side.

 Stevie turns, her smile bright and full of energy. "I was born ready. The real question is, are you?"

 I smirk as I unlock the car and step ahead of her to open the passenger door. With a small, exaggerated bow, I say, "Me, lady."

 She laughs, rolling her eyes but clearly amused. "Thanks, kind sir. I didn't know chivalry was still alive."

 I chuckle as she slides into the seat. "Only the best service for you."

 As I start the car, I glance over at her. "First stop, one of Jersey's best-kept secrets. Trust me, you're gonna love it."

 Stevie gives me a playful look. "You're hyping this up a lot, Hughes. Don't let me down."

 I grin, feeling that spark of excitement again. "Wouldn't dream of it."

 The drive is easy, filled with our usual back-and-forth banter. When we finally pull up to the quirky little coffee shop and bookstore combo, I can't help but sneak a glance at her. I'm hoping she'll love it, but before I can say anything, Stevie gasps in excitement.

 "Oh my gosh, Jack! This place is perfect!" Her eyes light up as she takes in the building, the old-fashioned sign swinging gently in the breeze. "A bookstore and coffee shop? It's like you read my mind!"

 I grin, pleased with her reaction. "Told you I've got good taste. Come on, let's check it out."

  As soon as we step inside, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and old books instantly wraps around us. The place has this cozy, eclectic vibe—mismatched furniture, shelves overflowing with books, and soft indie music playing in the background. It's like stepping into a different world, one where time slows down.

 Stevie practically bounces as she heads for the counter, her eyes scanning the menu. "Ooh, they have an apple crisp iced latte! That sounds amazing!"

 "Go for it," I say with a grin. "I've got this one."

  She looks at me, surprised. "Jack, you don't have to—"

  I cut her off with a wink. "I know, but I want to."

  Her smile softens, and after she places her order, she turns to me with a sweet look in her eyes. "Thank you, Jack. Really." Before I can respond, she leans up and presses a quick kiss to my cheek, leaving me a little stunned and a lot happy.

  I rub the spot where her lips touched, a goofy grin spreading across my face. "Anytime."

  We grab our drinks and start wandering through the bookstore. I watch as Stevie darts from one shelf to another, her face lighting up with every new discovery. She's like a kid in a candy store, flipping through pages, reading blurbs, and stacking up books she's interested in. I've never seen anyone so happy in a place like this, and honestly, it's infectious. I can't stop smiling as I watch her.

  "Jack, look at this one!" She holds up a vintage edition of a novel, her eyes sparkling. "Isn't it gorgeous?"

 "It is," I agree, though I'm not sure if I'm talking about the book or her.

  She catches me staring and laughs, a soft, musical sound that makes my chest tighten. "You're not bored, are you?"

 "Not even close," I say, and I mean it. Watching her enjoy every bit of this place makes me happier than I expected.

 Eventually, we leave the bookstore—Stevie with a few new books in hand—and head to our next destination. The drive is easy, the conversation light, and before long, we pull up to the park.

 I lead her up a narrow trail that winds through the trees until we reach the overlook. The view is stunning—New Jersey's skyline stretches out before us, bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun.

 "Wow," Stevie breathes, her voice full of awe as she takes it all in. She snaps a few pictures but quickly lowers her camera to just enjoy the moment. "Jack, this is incredible."

 I smile, feeling a little proud. "Not bad, right? Figured you'd appreciate the view."

 She glances at me, her eyes softening. "I do. Thank you for bringing me here."

 We find a spot at the very peak of the overlook and sit down side by side, our shoulders brushing. The city stretches out beneath us, and for a moment, we just enjoy the peacefulness of it all.

 "So," I say with a playful grin, "what do you think? Did I nail it with the perfect spots today?"

 Stevie laughs, nudging me with her shoulder. "You definitely did. I'm impressed, Hughes."

 "Glad to hear it," I reply, leaning a little closer. "And here I thought I'd have to work harder to win you over."

 "Oh, you've still got some work to do," she teases, her tone light and flirty. "But you're off to a good start."

 I chuckle, my fingers brushing against hers on the ground. She doesn't pull away, and neither do I. Instead, I let my hand linger, enjoying the simple contact between us.

 After a moment, she turns her head slightly, and I notice a small leaf caught in her hair. Without thinking, I reach up and gently pull it out, letting my fingers brush through her hair as I do. My touch lingers for a second longer than necessary, but she doesn't seem to mind. Her eyes meet mine, and there's this unspoken connection that makes my heart race.

 "Thanks," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

 "Anytime," I reply, my voice equally quiet, like we're sharing a secret.

 For a while, we just sit there, side by side, soaking in the view and each other's company. There's a comfortable silence between us, filled with all the things we're not saying but somehow both understand.

 As the sun begins to set and the air cools, I stand up, offering my hand to help Stevie up. "Let's head back before it gets too cold."

 She shivers a little as we walk back down the trail, and I immediately notice. By the time we reach the car, I turn on the heater to warm up the interior. I also slide my jacket off and offer it to her. "Here, put this on. You look like you're freezing."

 She takes the jacket with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Jack. You're the best."

 I grin, watching her slip into the jacket. "All part of the service."

 The drive back to her apartment is quiet but comfortable. I sneak glances at her from time to time, catching her smiling contentedly as she looks out the window.

 "Did you have a good day?" I ask, breaking the silence.

 She turns to me, her eyes sparkling. "I had an amazing day. Thank you for everything. You really made it special."

 I'm about to respond when we pull up to her apartment building. I park the car and get out to walk her up to the door.

 When we reach her apartment, I make sure she gets inside safely. "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning at seven for practice, okay? Since your car is still at the arena."

 "Sounds good," she says with a warm smile. "Thanks for everything, Jack. Really."

 I nod, leaning in a little closer. "Anytime, Stevie. I'll see you in the morning."

 She gives me a quick hug, and I watch her enter the building before heading back to my car. As I drive away, I can't help but think about how perfect the day was and how excited I am for tomorrow.