Chapter 11
Quiet Corners
It was late afternoon, and the village green had emptied after practice. Charlotte lingered, picking up stray balls and chatting with Emily.
“See you later, Charlotte!” Alexander called from the pavilion, holding a towel. He jogged over, brushing mud from his whites.
“You’re still here?” she asked, smiling.
“Thought I’d check on my favourite batter,” he said, offering the towel. “Can’t have you walking around covered in mud all day.”
Charlotte took it, their fingers brushing. She felt a jolt—nothing more, nothing less—but it made her heart skip.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
Alexander leaned against the fence, his usual grin softened. “You know, the team’s great, cricket’s fun, but… I like these quiet moments the most. Just us.”
Charlotte’s cheeks warmed. “I was thinking the same. It’s… nice. Peaceful.”
They lingered, talking about everything and nothing—plans for the weekend, their favourite players, silly memories from childhood. With every shared laugh and glance, Charlotte felt herself drawn closer to him.
At one point, Alexander reached over to adjust a loose strap on her cap. “There,” he said softly. “Much better.”
Charlotte’s heart fluttered. She looked at him, noticing the earnestness in his eyes. “Alex… I—”
He smiled, catching her gaze. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”
But in that silent exchange, words weren’t necessary. The tension, the warmth, and the unspoken feelings were enough.
As they walked off the green together, side by side, Charlotte realized that these quiet corners—these little moments away from the crowd—were where she felt closest to Alexander.
And deep down, she knew that it was only a matter of time before their feelings would spill into the open.