Page 18 of Every Move You Make

“A little nervous.”

“You gotta look past my rugged good looks if we’re gonna get anywhere.”

I snort. “I’ll try,” I say honestly.

“I want you to act normal.” I level him with a stare before he adds, “Er, as normal as you can. Like we don’t know each other, and this is our first date.”

“Okay. But the thing is, you’re supposed to be coaching me to flirt with someone I actually know pretty well. It wouldn’t be a blind date.”

“Oh, that’s right,” he muses, falling back in his chair and crossing his arms, his biceps bulging. He sits back up. “Well then, think of this as a real date with yours truly. You know him, and you know me.”

Before I can reply, our server comes to take our drink order, and we decide to split a bottle of wine.

“So how’s the summer rugby season shaping up?” Dell asks casually as we look at our menus.

“It’s hard to tell. We haven’t had a game yet, just practices. But the whole team is unsure how we’re supposed to move forward without Laura.”

Dell lays his menu down and stares at me. “Why did you get into rugby?”

It’s not an uncommon question when you play rugby. Back when I played softball and soccer, no one ever asked me how I got into those. But when you play a weird sport, you get this question a lot.

“I started playing my freshman year of college when I didn’t make my school’s soccer team. Turns out, I’m a lot better at rugby. I don’t think I’ve told you this, but myparents are both Olympians.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Dad met Mom at the Olympic games in Atlanta. He was a soccer player. She was a synchronized swimmer. And, well, I was sort of conceived there.”

His eyes round. “What?”

“No joke.”

“That’s some high-octane genetics.”

“You could say that,” I chuckle softly. “Anyway, she was from Minnesota, and Dad lived in California. When she found out she was pregnant, they got married right away and he moved to Minneapolis.”

“Are they still together?”

“Oh yeah. My dad is obsessed with my mom. And my mom is obsessed with maintaining her Olympic figure.”

“Ah. Is she one of those almond moms? You know, knows the exact amount of almonds in a serving size? Focuses more on weight than well-being?”

“Ohhhh yeah. By the time I was twelve, she was keeping a weekly chart of my caloric intake. They’re both pretty extreme. I get pressure from both of them aboutmaking their mistake worth it,” I say, air quotes emphasizing my point.

Dell cocks his head. “Wait. What do you mean?”

“Like, it’s up to me to make sure their mistake of getting pregnant pays off. That I’m the best. That I’m an Olympian, too.”

“Jesus,” he grumbles.

“They like to play it off as a joke, but they’ve said it so many times that I truly think they mean it. And I’m gonna shut up now because that was too much information and too deep for a date. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize. I like getting to know more about you.”

“Pinot noir,” our server says as she reapproaches ourtable. I’m thankful for the interruption because I really shouldn’t have gotten that deep, that fast. It’s just so effortless to talk to him, and my nerves are through the roof. Did I put on deodorant? I think so. Did I brush my teeth? Shit, why did we order red wine? Now I’m going to have stained teeth all night.

“Are you ready to order?” our server asks.

“Yes,” I say, fumbling with the menu. “I’ll have the branzino and cauliflower. Can I also have a side of the buttery whipped potatoes?”

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