Chapter Nine #2
“What’s this?” she asked. “Tired of my gift already?” He motioned for her to rotate the ball. She complied and saw his note written on the surface: Can I take you out tonight?
Giselle smiled, a warmth filling her core as she gazed into his eyes. “Thought you’d never ask.” She tossed the ball back.
“Ready to go?” Tony asked.
She nodded, and he helped her return to the parking lot. After dropping her off at home, he planned to return in the evening for a fun night out. For the rest of the day, Giselle completed some chores and read for a while, then wrapped a plastic bag over her cast so she could take a shower.
Afterwards, she dolled herself up and initiated a woman’s perpetual battle—deciding what to wear.
Pants remained out of the question because she couldn’t slide them over her cast. However, no way she’d go out in baggy sweats for the sake of ease and comfort.
Even though the weather may be too cold for the outfit she had in mind, she desired to look good for Tony.
Giselle slipped into an A-line long maxi skirt from Vince Camuto. She had found the piece on clearance at Macy’s—the only way a nineteen-year-old admin clerk could afford such a thing. But she loved the flowing black material, a silhouette style that allowed her to dress elegantly for tonight.
For her top, she chose another budget item but a pretty one from Kohl’s.
The feminine ruffled detailing and trendy raglan sleeves on the blouse by Simply Vera Vera Wang paired nicely with the skirt.
On the maroon-colored and black rose-patterned garment, Giselle loved the stylish tie front and comfy camisole lining.
Tony arrived at six p.m. sharp. Smiling in the doorway, he looked delicious in a charcoal-gray Pique Knit Blazer by Joseph Abboud.
The soft, breathable cotton blend styled with a notch lapel and patch pocket looked great on his V-shaped frame.
Sleek matching trousers ended in stylish, Crown Vintage Thoren shoes.
He rocked the sporty set of kicks, the perforated upper and lace-up closure a casual yet sophisticated complement to his outfit.
Giselle invited him in. She leaned her crutches against the wall and slipped into his awaiting, supportive arms. His cologne intoxicated her.
She sighed in his warmth, grateful for the opportunity to be together after a tough week.
The texts and phone calls had been wonderful, but nothing beat an old-fashioned embrace and the feel of a body to snuggle against.
They became a couple while devoid of any formal announcement or circumstance.
After he confessed his feelings, Giselle had played it coy and never committed anything in return—at first. She smiled against his chest. The hilarious make-out session and his scribbling on the soccer ball had confirmed their budding relationship.
And that’s all I need from this handsome sweetheart, nothing fancy required.
She looked up, and their mouths met in an enjoyable kiss.
Lips pressed and pulled in soft, unhurried suckles of two people who had communicated yet missed one another.
This time, she grew aware of her predicament and didn’t allow passion to set her injured foot down.
He held her steady, arms around her waist as she clutched behind his broad shoulders.
The heat and intensity increased. Her crotch warmed. To heck with going out. Take me to bed! However, Giselle really wanted to escape the apartment for an entertaining evening. She desired to spend time with Tony—in all aspects. We can finish later. That’s guaranteed.
She reluctantly pulled back and cupped his clean-shaven face. His dark hair looked amazing, styled and neat, unlike the sweaty or rain-soaked tendrils while officiating a game. “Ready to go, my line judge date?”
He nodded. “After you, my soccer striker date.”
The excursion turned out better than Giselle imagined.
They began the evening in a cozy tea house.
Fresh spices scented the air, pleasant odors of lavender, citrus, honey, and other rich herbs drifting in the establishment.
Candles and a fireplace set a comfortable atmosphere, and comfy couches provided a relaxing space in the corner.
She sipped on her hot beverage and chewed snacks, all the while appreciating the conversation.
She loved how Tony grew animated when speaking about physical therapy.
He had been an athlete since his T-ball days when he could barely hold a baseball bat.
As he aged and the sports increased in difficulty and physical challenges, he witnessed several of his friends and teammates suffer horrible injuries.
His friends had experienced immediate pain and suffering.
However, Tony noticed the subsequent depression they had expressed while sidelined for months.
Not able to play the sports they loved proved to be a tougher mental battle.
Seeing his teammates in that condition motivated Tony to pursue a career in aiding athletes during recovery—not just in a physical sense, but mentally as well.
“I may not have made it to Major League Soccer, but I can still be involved in sports,” he concluded. “After a person blows out a knee and recuperates after PT, watching them smile as they take that first confident step is thrilling. I can’t wait to open a clinic.”
“That’s amazing, Tony, you’ll definitely get there soon,” Giselle stated. She smiled over the rim of her steaming mug of black tea. “I’ll be your first patient.”
He sipped his jasmine blend and shook his head. “I can’t fix broken brains. Sorry.”
Giselle laughed and nudged him using an elbow. “At least I have some.”
Tony picked up another biscuit. “Tell me more about your marketing, which sounds super cool. What motivates you?”
She stirred her drink after adding more honey.
“I’ve always been fascinated by art. As a child, I used to draw every day.
Even in school, which got me in trouble a lot.
My drawings represented stories I wanted other people to be part of.
I wanted them to feel inspired by something I shared from my heart.
I stopped sketching ages ago, but artistic expression on a computer has replaced my pencil and paper.
My new passion is digital and graphic design.
I still want to inspire people through art, and I discovered that professional advertising can do the same.
I’ll have a website where people contact me with visions for a product they are selling.
I’ll translate their dream into design through marketing ads to grow their business. ”
“That’s pretty awesome, Giselle,” Tony commented. “I’m inspired just hearing you describe it. You’ll have to show me some of your designs. I’ll be your first customer. You can design ads for my PT clinic.”
She grinned and raised her mug. “Sounds like a partnership to me.”
He clinked his drink against hers. “I look forward to it.”
“We need to celebrate,” she said. “What else are we doing tonight?”
Tony checked the time on his phone. “Movie, then strolling through old town for window shopping, and food on an outdoor patio.”
“Strolling?” She glanced at her casted foot. “You going to cut this thing off?”
Tony grinned. “I have a solution in my trunk. You’ll see.”
“Secrets and a fun night ahead, I love it,” Giselle replied. “Speaking of entertainment, you’ll be twenty-one soon and can drink in bars and clubs. Unfortunately, you’re stuck drinking tea with my nineteen-year-old butt.”
He leaned in and kissed her good, his lips savoring hers including a light brush of tongues. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Tony’s secret turned out to be a lightweight, foldable wheelchair he had borrowed from the medical department on campus.
She admired this thoughtfulness to make her comfortable on this date.
He planned ahead and saw to her every need, things Giselle hadn’t even considered while injured as she took things for granted.
He helped her into the chair, adjusted the foot rests, and pushed her into the theater.
The film turned out to be a good one. Giselle enjoyed the raucous comedy plus a tray of cheesy nachos and cold root beer.
Afterwards, the young couple traveled to the older district in town.
Tony pushed her around antique shops, ice-cream parlors, comic book places, music stores, and a dozen other businesses lining the street.
A lively crowd moved about, laughing and conversing.
Following a pasta dinner at an Italian bistro, Giselle and Tony sat outside a small bakery to devour slices of pie beneath the lamplight along the street.
After dessert, they took another stroll around the area to walk some of the food off.
Well, at least Tony did as he pushed her along.
At one point, he helped Giselle stand as she desired a moment of intimacy.
Arms around each other, the pair halted at a corner for a long hug.
She melted into his heat, their bodies pressed tight together.
Lips met and hands petted. Eyes stared in refreshed hunger, though not for food.
A new desire had been building all evening.
Small gestures, touches, meaningful looks, and blatant vibes informed one another that the night was far from over.
Like the silent war, a quiet understanding passed between Giselle and Tony.
The youthful, hormone-driven pair had human desires to satiate.
It would occur in each other’s arms, naked and sweaty.
The couple hopped into Tony’s car for the ride home. Small talk masked a dual anxiety over what awaited. Electricity danced in the confines of the vehicle, an excited charge that raced Giselle’s heart the closer they got to her apartment.