Page 9 of Crossing the Lines for Love

“No, this is our first time. What do you recommend?” My father responded for the three of us.

“How about we start with drinks? We have a few delicious tea flavors that everyone seems to enjoy.”

He explained the tea flavors while I buried my face in my menu, refusing to make eye contact with the handsome yet annoying stranger again.

“Sweetheart, did you hear him?” Dad asked.

“What?”

“I asked if you decided on a drink,” Niko said.

“Oh, I’ll just have water.”

“Water it is. I’ll give you a few more minutes to look at the menu while I get your drinks. Do you have any questions about the dishes you’ve seen so far?”

I pretended to be engrossed in my menu while my parents asked him about a few of the items. When he walked away, I released a breath I had no idea I was holding.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, Ma. I’m fine. There’s just so much to choose from, and it all sounds delicious.”

“It does. I think we should all get something different that we each want to try.”

“Good idea, baby,” my father responded before I could agree.

When Niko returned with our drinks, my father ordered several dishes. I tried to avoid looking at him as he wrote down our selections. I was so irritated yesterday when he bumped into me, I didn’t notice how handsome he was. He looked so damn good, it was a struggle not to stare.

“He’s handsome,” my mother leaned forward and whispered.

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

“Well, I noticed him noticing you. Maybe y’all can exchange numbers before we leave.”

“Marissa, please. Don’t start playing matchmaker again,” my father warned.

“Seriously, Ma. The last time you set me up, it was a disaster.”

“That wasn’t my fault. How was I supposed to know he had hygiene problems?”

“You weren’t, but I’m good on the dating scene right now. I just want to focus on my new job.”

We continued to chat for a few minutes before my parents went to the bathroom to wash their hands. As they returned, Niko arrived with our food. After he placed the dishes on the table, I went to wash my hands. When I left the restroom, I found Niko leaning against the wall across from the entrance.

“Shouldn’t you be working?”

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”

“Replacing my meal was enough.” I started to walk away, but he stopped me by stepping in front of me.

“Can I have your number?”

I stepped back and looked up at him with my head cocked to the side. “I don’t think the woman who sent you the nudes would appreciate that. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He let me walk around him, and I returned to the table to enjoy my meal with my parents. I tried to forget about the little interaction with Niko, but when I arrived home a few hours later, I couldn’t get his face or the smooth sound of his voice out of my mind.

“As we announceda few weeks ago, Coach Lisle has taken a head coaching position at another university. He was an integral part of this team, and we wish him well in his new endeavor. However, after a country-wide search, we found someone we think will fill his shoes right here in Black Elm. As alumni and former lacrosse player, we couldn’t have found a better fit.”

My teammates and I cheered and applauded at his announcement. It had been weeks, and all of us were anxious about Coach Lisle’s replacement. Coach Crawford proceeded to run down the accomplishments of our new assistant coach. Based on his resume, he had a great deal of experience and was well-decorated.

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