Page 8 of The Interception
“I saidthere.As in, not here. Here, you were just mean.”
“I slammed a door in your face as a show of annoyance. It isn’t my fault you don’t know what that means, or that one should step aside when a door comes flying at one’s face. I’d hardly call that mean.”
“I’m bleeding, Layne.”
She purses her lips at that. “Listen, Langley—”
“Why are you calling me by my last name?” I can’t say why I don’t like it, but it rubs me all the wrong way. And there isnodenying that I absolutely want to know what my first name sounds like in her voice…complete with fiery eyes and all.
She shrugs and shakes her head, brushing me off. “Habit, I guess. My brother is an athlete, and I’ve called all of his friends by their last names ever since I was a kid. Anyway,Ender,I suppose a crummy apology is better than none, and I’m worried about who the administrators might pair me with, so fine, I’ll work with you.”
“Don’t sound so excited about it. You got what you wanted.” My tone is harsher than I want, but I’m beginning to think this whole cook-off is probably a bad idea. It’s certainly gotten off to a horrendous start. And my name in her voice? Yikes. Maybe under different circumstances it would be music to my ears, but that scolding tone has me feeling like a kid.
“Forgive me if I’m not thrilled a man I don’t know made assumptions about me, then came to ask my forgiveness by insulting me again.” Her voice softens and her demeanor shifts. The anger seems to drain from her stiff body until she relaxes and sighs. She points to the porch swing. “Want to sit and make a plan? Figure this out?”
I adjust the ice and press it to my nose again. “Yeah, that would be nice.”
One side of her mouth turns into a frown, almost as if she’s only half sorry she bloodied my nose. “Actually, why don’t you come in and I’ll get you some fresh ice and some coffee. It’s been a long day, and I need it.”
Her sudden hospitality has me slightly worried. “Are you sure you won’t lace it with cyanide?”
She rolls her eyes. “Listen, life gave me some lemons this week. When life gives you lemons, it’s best to make a nice limoncello and pretend it’s what you wanted.”
“Limoncello?” A genuine broad smile makes her chuckle in return. “I like your way of saying that better than the old way. And yes, let’s go inside and chat about what we can do to win this thing.”
Layne steps aside and allows me to enter the foyer.
“This place belongs to my sister-in-law’s friend. It’s got a nice deck out back. If you want to head out there, I’ll make some coffee, and we can chat. It really is a great view.” She speaks over her shoulder and heads to what I assume is the kitchen while pointing toward her right.
I peer that way and find the door to the back. Large floor-to-ceiling windows let in the last light of the late afternoon. The days are so much shorter now as fall sets in. Sort of. It’s cooled down since earlier today, but it’s still a little warm. Out on the deck, I see what she likes about the yard so much. There’s a variety of trees, so the slight color change is pretty. There are stilla few weeks until peak color shift, but this gives just a hint of autumn spice.
Several chairs line the deck so I pull one up and position it to watch the sun sink behind the trees. There’s already a faint purple glow highlighting the skyline. Taking a deep breath, I thank God that Layne seems to be the forgiving type. At least, she’s the type who can put differences aside for a common goal.
The door opens behind me and Layne pitter-patters over with two steaming mugs of coffee.
“I wasn’t sure how you liked yours, so I went with just creamer. Is that okay?”
I reach for the mug. “Yeah, that’s how I take it. Thank you.” I nod toward the tree line. “You were right. It is pretty.”
Layne settles in the seat beside me. “I’m sorry I hit you in the nose.”
I roll my head to look at her. Her sincerity is written all over her face. This is such a bad idea. A face like that, highlighted by the last golden rays of sunlight, should not be attached to my partner. I’m going to be distracted, and I cannot afford that. Still, she’s probably my best hope.
“I deserved it, for sure,” I admit.
“No, you didn’t. The scolding, you deserved, but I shouldn’t have slammed a door in your face. Thank you for coming to ask me to be your partner.” She pulls her hands into the sleeves of her cardigan and tucks her legs up close. There’s a slight breeze and the scents of fall come rushing forward—crisp leaves, that earthy, warm aroma that always makes me happy.
I sip the coffee and sigh. “Mmm, this is really good. And for the record, everything came out wrong earlier. I didn’t come because I’m stuck with the bottom of the barrel. I’m actually not a fan of crowds, so I was overstimulated at the orientation meeting as it was. I’ve got a lot riding on this year’s competition, and I gotin my own way. I’m sorry if I made you feel badly about your ability.”
Her lips slowly curve into a warm, sweet smile. “Now that is a good apology. I accept. Now tell me, what do we do now?”
I stretch out on the chair and relax further. Layne isn’t just easy on the eyes. She’s easy on everything and has managed to not only calm my racing heart, but also ease my anxiety significantly. “Now, we compare schedules, discuss what we’re good at, and make a meal plan.”
“I’m literally free all day every day. You tell me, Mr. Football Celebrity, what works for you?”
Running my hand over my face, I groan. “Promise me you won’t call me that again. Just Ender. To you, I’m just Ender, the idiot who almost let you get away, but by the grace of God, scored you as a partner.”
“Oh,” she laughs. “Oh, now you’re just groveling. I already said yes.”
