Chapter 13
Subtle Signals
Practice on the village green was in full swing, but Charlotte found herself noticing Alexander more than the game. The way he adjusted his cap mid-bowl, the way he laughed at his own misthrows, even the way his eyes seemed to find hers across the pitch—it all made her heart flutter.
Alexander, of course, noticed too. He caught her glancing at him and sent a quick wink her way, making her blush and nearly miss a catch.
During a water break, he handed her a bottle with a teasing smile. “Careful, Charlotte. You’re working too hard. Can’t have my favourite batter collapsing on me.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched into a smile. “I’ll manage, thank you very much.”
Later, while practicing fielding, Alexander pretended to throw a wild ball her way. Charlotte dove dramatically to catch it, only for him to laugh and hand her the ball. “You’re way too serious sometimes,” he said.
“You’re way too infuriating sometimes,” she shot back, though the smile never left her face.
By the end of practice, both were muddy, tired, and laughing more than they had during the entire season. As they walked off together, Alexander brushed a stray strand of hair from Charlotte’s forehead.
“You know,” he said softly, “I really like spending time with you. Not just during cricket, but… like this, too.”
Charlotte’s cheeks warmed. “I like it too,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
They walked in comfortable silence, hands brushing occasionally, neither daring to make the first move but both aware of the growing tension between them.
The season had brought them together, but it was these subtle signals—teasing touches, lingering looks, playful challenges—that hinted at something more.
And Charlotte knew that soon, just soon, those signals might finally become words.