Chapter 6 Ian #2
She smiles so brightly that it elicits a smile from me too. “It feels like I can breathe for the first time since I saw you.”
Oh, if she thinks I’ll make it easy for her, she’s sorely mistaken.
As we walk toward the elevator, I ask, “So, how many of my games did you watch?”
“A few.” She looks ahead, appearing lost in thought.
I press a hand to my chest in fake hurt. “What kind of friend are you?”
“I’m going to be the best of friends,” she says assuredly. “But if I watch your games, you drink my shots.”
I wave her off. That’s not a chore at all. “I love your shots. I’m glad you took a chance and chased your dream.” Pride swells in my chest, wishing only the best for her.
The past stretches between us, intimacy cloaking us in.
I swallow the football-sized lump in my throat. “Any other requirements?”
“We spend more time together. Get to know each other.” She beams.
God, that radiant smile has nothing on the sun, blinding and warming me all at once.
Maybe whatever there is between us will fade.
Maybe we’ll be friends, and sometime in the future, we’ll have a good laugh about our one night together.
But my obsession makes its presence known, laughing its ass off at my stupidity, reminding me I’ve been pining for her since I met her.
In the elevator, I say, “Thank you for the drink.”
She grins. “Expect more.”
Are you included in the package? Good god. Stop going there. Friends. Just friends.
“Thank you for the lily.”
“Expect more.”
Her eyes shine, making the green brighter. I’d love nothing more than to back her against the wall and kiss her senseless.
I shake myself off that all-encompassing desire. We step out of the elevator, and I watch her reach her door. She smiles at me over her shoulder. “I think we’re going to be great friends.”
“We’re going to rock this friendship thing,” I say, infusing as much confidence as I can, considering my conundrum.
She slips inside her apartment, and I stare at her door for long minutes, rooted in place.
Friends. Just friends. And maybe one day, I’ll believe it.
The next morning, when I leave my apartment, there’s a juice cup waiting for me at my door. This ritual instantly puts a smile on my face, boosting my mood like nothing else.
I pick it up just in time for her to step out of her apartment. When Lilly looks down, the corners of her lips curl up. Her bright smile goes straight to my heart, making it act all strange, as if wanting to leap out of my chest.
She bends from her waist to gently lift the lily, completely engrossed in the delicate flower. I can’t stop looking at her, entranced as she inhales and rushes inside.
Opening my gym bag, I place the cup inside and wait for her to return.
She closes the door, acknowledging me.
“Morning,” she chirps. Her voice is my favorite sound in the world. I could listen to her for the rest of my life and never get bored.
“Morning,” I rasp, emotions punching me hard in the chest.
As we walk inside the elevator, our grinning faces reflect in the sleek walls.
“Thanks for the drink.”
She nods, but her shoulders droop.
“What is it?” I ask, hating something upsets her.
“I want LuKo Juice products to be better known. Numerous studies confirm their benefits, and I don’t compromise on quality.” The passion is clear in her speech.
“You shouldn’t lower your standards.”
“I won’t.”
I love her determination. I am in awe of her.
“Good, because hard work, passion, and discipline always pay off in achieving your goals,” I assure her.
A small smile teases her luscious lips. “Thank you. I needed that pep talk.”
After we climb into our cars, she waves at me before she drives away.
An idea pops into my head, needing to support her somehow. Making a detour, I put on a cap, and as inconspicuously as I can, I go buy some more drinks from LuKo Juice before driving to the stadium.
Inside the locker room, I give Levi, Roman, and Banks each a cup. They boast the biggest social media followers on the team, and I say, “Take a picture with this.”
“Of course, Cap. Anything to support your girl.”
I pin Roman with a stare, pinching the bridge of my nose while he snaps a selfie, “Cheese.”
They post the pics, and I follow.
When the coach comes into the room, he looks us dead in the eye. “Are you taking selfies when you should be mentally preparing for practice?”
Roman says with a Cheshire Cat grin, patting my back. “Cap here made us take pics of us drinking LuKo Juice.”
I am going to kill him. He will regret this during practice.
Coach looks at me for a moment, then nods. “That’s a fabulous idea, son. Thank you.”
“Do you think he’ll be that grateful knowing you want to get in her panties?” Roman whispers.
“Out. Now.” I snap, done with his bullshit.
Levi slaps a palm on my shoulder. “This can go either really well or monumentally shitty.”
I feel my brows furrow in confusion. “Why?”
“Not everyone wants help from someone close to them.”
“I’m not you,” I remind him. “My sister still doesn’t know about your involvement.”
He flinches. “Tell me how that will go.”
It will go great. It’s free publicity. We’re friends. Friends help each other, right? I am so in knots over her.