Chapter 1

Cassie was walking from the arena to the Marriott. Miriya wasn’t out of school yet, and she really had to go. When she was done with her business, she started walking out of the hotel. Miriya had just texted her, so she was replying to it, completely not paying attention to where she was going. She finished the text and started to cross the street. Just then, a car turned the corner and almost hit her. Luckily, the driver of the car stopped just in time. Cassie was just about to say something profane, but stopped herself when she realized who the driver actually was. The man rolled down his window and asked, “Ma’am, are you ok?”

A little shaken up, she finally muttered, “Yes, I’m fine.”

The man saw that she had on a Malkin jersey, a Pens hat, even decked out Pens shoes.
“Where are you heading?” the man asked.

“There.” She said as she pointed to the Big Screen.

“What a coincidence! I’m heading up there too. Do you want a ride?”

She nodded and he unlocked the door and she sat down in the black leather seat.
Miriya was at the wall waiting for all the players to come in. Just then, she sees Geno pull into the lot. She pulls out her phone and texts Cassie.
Where the hell are you? Your man just pulled in!

Cassie reads the text and replies.
I’ll be right there! Take a picture for me just in case!

Geno parked the car and walked to the passenger side and helped Cassie out. Miriya took a picture and her jaw dropped when she realized who the girl Geno was helping out of the car was.
“Thanks for the ride.”

“No problem. It was the least I could do after almost running you over.”

“Well, I know you probably get this all the time, but can I have your autograph?”

He laughed. “Only if you give something to me.”

“And that is?”

“Your phone number and a date tomorrow night.”

She was so excited that she almost yelled her answer. “YES!"

He handed her his phone and she handed him a sharpie. She put her number in his phone and then called her phone with his so she’d have his. Then she handed him back his phone.

“I’ll call you after the game so we can make plans for tomorrow.” he said.

“Good luck Geno!” At that, she gave him a hug and they went their separate ways. When she got to toe wall, Miriya ran up to her.
“What the hell?! I thought you were at the Marriott!”

“I was!”

“Then how did you get a ride from Geno?!”

She told her the whole story while they were wishing the rest of the guys luck.
The Pens won the game in 4-3 in OT.

Cassie got home around 11:00 and decided to get a quick shower before she went to bed. When she got out and changed, she checked her phone while she crawled into bed. There was a text from Geno.
Hey. Call me.
She did as the text said.

“Hello?”

“Hi Geno, it’s me.”

“Oh hey. So, where do you want to go tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. Surprise me.”

“I think I can do that. Do you want to get together around four-ish?”

“Sure. Where?”

“I can come pick you up at your house.”

“Ok.” Cassie gives him her address and directions to her house from the arena.

“Well, I will see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams Cassie.”

“Thanks. Good night!”

Cassie fell into a blissful sleep. Geno had a hard time falling asleep because all he could think about was Cassie and the day they were going to spend together.

The next day, Cassie can’t wait for her “date” with Geno. Around 2:30 she looks through her closet to try to find something to wear. She finds a nice black shirt, a pair of jeans and wears a pair of black flip flops. Then, she does her makeup and hair. Once she was done, she watched a little bit of House.

She glances at the clock which says 3:45. Just then, there’s a knock at the door. Cassie turns off the tv and answers the door. It was Geno and he had a single rose in his hand.

“Hi, are you ready?”

“Yep.” She steps out the door and locks it. She reaches out to take his hand. He takes it and pulls her into a warm hug.

“So, where are we going?”

“You said to surprise you. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” he said as he opened the passenger seat car door for her.

They didn’t really talk much in the car. Since Geno LOVES to drive fast, it didn’t take too long to make it up to the Mills.

Geno puts on a baseball cap and they got out of the car and he headed towards the mini-golf, hand in hand.

For just meeting a hockey player superstar and being on a date with him, I am surprisingly calm, she thought to herself.

Cassie kept purposefully missing the ball so Geno could wrap his strong muscular arms around her to “teach” her how to play. After the third miss, he caught on to what she was doing but didn’t really mind. He liked holding her in his arms. After about three rounds, they were pretty golfed out. It was about 6:30.

“Are you hungry?” Geno asked.

“Starving! I haven’t eaten since like noon!”

He took her to the Olive Garden for dinner. She had the chicken alfredo and wedding soup, and he had the shrimp alfredo and a salad. They talked the whole time. They talked about everything—school, family, friends, hockey. Time just slipped away. When they were done, Cassie tried to pay for her half.

“No. I got this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

When they were walking back to the car, Geno said, “I have one more surprise for you.”

He took her to the movies. During the movie, he did the cheesy yawn-arm reach. Cassie gave in and leaned her head on his shoulder. They stayed like that till the end of the movie, which was done about 10:00. They made their way back to Geno’s car. Once they got in the car, Geno turned to face Cassie and asked, “Did you like your surprise?”

“I loved it. Thank you.”

“Umm… I know this is probably too soon but, …” he paused for dramatic effect.

“Yes?”

“Would you like to be my girlfriend?”

“Of course I will be your girlfriend!”

He took her left hand and kissed it lightly.

“I have one more surprise for you.”

Just then, he took out his phone and sent a quick text to Gonchar. He immediately got a text back and they were off to the last surprise of the evening. He pulled into a driveway and said, “We’re here.”

They got up to the door and he unlocked it. He then took her purse, set it on the table and led her into the living room.
The fireplace was lit, and soft music was playing. He took her hand and led her to the middle of the room.

“May I have this dance?”

She nodded as he took her into his arms and they danced. She took it all in. she was in his house, and in the arms of her love. Nothing can ruin this now! It was getting late, and they both knew it, but neither of them wanted to let go. She looked up at met his gaze. He lowered his head, closing the distance between their lips. They both stopped dancing and they stood there just kissing. Sparks flew and the passion in the kiss grew. They stopped, looking at each other starry eyed.

“It’s late, but you can stay here if you want.”

“That would probably be best. “

“Ok. Come with me, and I can show you where you can sleep.”

She followed him into a bedroom, which she realized was Geno’s room.

“I’ll sleep on the couch and you can sleep here.” As he said this, he was rummaging through his drawers and handed her a shirt and boxers. “You can sleep in these if you want.”

He moved closer to her and pulled her into a hug. “Good night. I love you.”

He then kisses her and leaves the room shutting the door.