6.

That little scene from the photographer made me almost want to kiss her. She looks so beautiful tonight. I can't even breath by just looking at her.

I mean, I already wanted to kiss her prior to that. I want to kiss her when she was few inches away from me when she tried to help me with my tie earlier.

But then she's so fund of spoiling moments, fessing up that she doesn't know how to tie it. Damn! That was iconic. I still laugh at the thought of it though.

We're halfway through the event and I can sense that she's gotten calmer than she was before. Adding the fact that Tori didn't leave her side makes me feel better for her.

I'm not gonna lie I was worried sick she'll have panic attack or whatever. I brought dates with me before and all of them are absolutely fine with it, but with Jade? She's not. Which made me feel more responsible for her.

She's different from all the girls I have met before.

Based on the entire time observing her fidget and tap her long fingers on her knees. She hates attention.

I can't even believe she agreed into coming with us to be my date. I thought she'll decline the invitation but when she didn't, I secretly thank myself for bitching about Derick inviting Pauline to be my date in front of Ander.

It was his idea to ask Jade as a date, and thankfuly everything falls into place.

Jade is now having a good conversation with Tori and one of my teammates wife on our table, so I did secretly poked her and ask if I can leave her.

She nodded.

"Go ahead, I'll be fine. Go join your teammates." She said in a sweet tone which made my heart do some jumping jacks.

"You sure?"

"Mm-hmm." She said nodding.

And as stupid as I am. I kissed her on the cheeks right before leaving the table.

I almost cursed when I realize what I just did as I walk away to the table to join my friends.

Stupid! But I've been wanting to do that anyway and I want to keep doing that.

I joined my friends on the other end of the room talking to Coach Trotz. The pre-season is about to kick in this Tuesday, and we're facing the New York Rangers again.

We're pretty pumped this season, Coach T is confident this time especially that our defense lines are stronger than ever with two rookie players on the team.

Last season was kind of disappointing when we lose against Tampa Bay during the semi-finals, but guess it's not our time to compete for the Stanley Cup that season yet. However, we hope we can make it this year though.

Jezz! I really wanted too. So is Anders, he's a very dedicated team captain and I know he's way too motivated to achieve two successes this year and that is becoming a father and winning a Stanley Cup.

We even had a chat the other night, saying that he is starting to picture himself holding the Stanley Cup on his left arm and his future baby on the other hand, which I find it as a very strong motivation.

"You might want to give Pauline a heads up!" Derick said as he settles next to me looking at Jade on the other end of the room.

"Why?" I asked. "Pauline knows we're just friends."

Derick smirked. "Did you know what happened the last time you two had dinner together?"

"When you and Lauren bailed purposely on us on the third time? Clearly." I responded sarcastically.

"Dude, she called Lauren that night and cried saying that you've been acting so rude the whole time." He announced which made me feel guilty.

"I was just annoyed that you guys bailed on us. I didn't mean to be rude on her."

I was indeed acting rude that night, and she's been texting me these past few days but I didn't bother to reply to any of those.

"You haven't return any of her texts either." Derick announced like it's as if he just read my mind.

I nodded.

"Seriously dude. Give her a call. She's been bugging me and Lauren about you! It's annoying."

"May I remind you that the both of you set us up together and purposely bail on us each time we plan to go out?"

Derick chuckled. "Dude, you eat each other's faces during my birthday celebration last month. I thought you're interested with her!"

"I was drunk." I said and grab a glass of champagne from the waiter who walked past by me and sip on it.

Maybe I should talk to Pauline one of these days and apologize on my behavior that night. And maybe address the fact that nothing special is going on between us, and that we are just friends.

"So, that's your new conquest huh?" Derick said after few seconds of silence looking at Jade who is laughing about something Rebecca have said, Dennis Seidenberg's wife, my second mom.

"No. She's just a friend." I said saying the truth.

"A friend that you can't keep your hands off?" He teased and I can't help but grin slightly elbowing him.

He's right. I have been too handsy with Jade the entire time, I love touching her and I can't help but appreciate the fact that she just lets me.

We hang for a bit and turn head back to our respective tables when Coach Trotz was called on the mini stage to give us a parting message.

On my way back to the table, Rebecca greeted me with a hug. "Nice to see you again Mat."

"Nice to see you too Rebecca." I greeted back.

But right before she head to the next table she was assigned to, she whispered something on my ear. "I like her." She said looking at Jade who didn't noticed us.

I chuckled and she gave me a pat on the shoulder.

Yeah I like her too, actually.

I slide into my seat next to Jade and put my hands on her knees. "Having fun so far?"

I noticed her gaze dropped into my hands planted on her knees right before answering. "Yeah I did. Everybody seems so friendly, especially Rebecca Seinberg? Was that Seinberg?"

"Seidenberg." I corrected. "She's my second mom."

"Yeah, she told me." She said giggling. Planting her hands on top of mine and squeezed it.

And another urge of kissing her on the cheeks rise and so I did, making sure Tori and Anders won't see it. I don't want to deal with them mocking me yet.

The whole drive home until we reach the house and climbed up the stairs I'm still holding her hands. As weird as it sounds, I really like holding her.

We're just silent not until I heard her chuckle. "Seriously Mat, you can let go of my hands now. I'm already fine and we're already in the house."

I just chuckled but declined to do so, not until we reach her door. She turned to face me and said her good night.

"Thank you for tonight." I said trying to swallow the lump on my throat because I am starting to get nervous I don't know why.

She gave me a weak smile. "Don't bother."

And right before I stop myself for spilling certain words again, it just came out unexpectedly. "You really look beautiful tonight by the way."

And there she goes raising her eyebrows again, and slightly giggled. "Aww thank you Barzy."

I snorted.

"What? Was that a joke?" She said looking at me with wide eye.

"No. I'm just surprised you took the compliment right away. Most girls needs more reassurance right before accepting one." I reasoned out.

"Well, not me." She said chuckling. "I barely recieve a compliment myself, so I always savor the moment while I'm given the chance."

And we're silent again. Is she serious right now?

She barely recieves a compliment? She looks gorgeous and she's an amazing girl why would she barely recieve a compliment?

"Alright. We should go to bed now." She said breaking the silence. "You have an early practice tomorrow, don't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah I do."

Right before I can stop myself I kissed her on the side of her lips.

"Good night, Jade." I said and I saw her blinking a couple of times right before saying good night back and went inside her room.

I cursed myself again as I went to my own room. Stupid!

I mean, I like Jade a lot and I want her to start acknowledging that.

But right before anything else, I have to clear things up with Pauline.