Page 45 of Not that Impressed
Will
Dinner tonight?
I stare at the text. It’s so … casual. Like it’s an easy request when it’s anything but. And yet, butterflies dance through my stomach.
Will
I’m cooking.
The butterflies turn to warmth as I picture the intimacy of Will and I at his house, just us and no crowd or change of music to interrupt us this time. I’m terrified and excited all at once at what could happen. Those few minutes we danced together over a week ago now replay over and over in my mind. I stopped our possible kiss because I was scared, but now, having thought so much about it?
I’m feeling reckless.
Ellie
Do you think that’s a good idea?
I have to at least attempt to remain the sane one in this situation. Will has already proven he can’t resist the inexplicable pull between us. I don’t want to be the reason his life goes sideways again. He hates the cameras I live with. My whole life is mired in gossip. Only a tenth of what’s said about me is even close to the truth. None of this is even taking into account how hard he’s worked to keep Anna’s story from blowing up. He’ll get tired quickly of having to face that every day with me.
Will
I don’t know. Let’s see.
CHAPTER 20
WILL
Dinner out would have been a safer choice. Maybe even something simpler like dessert or coffee, so that if things went south, Ellie and I weren’t stuck through an entire meal together. Me cooking dinner for her feels like more of an established relationship type date, but the truth is, I couldn’t stop thinking about not being interrupted or watched in case things wentwell.
I want to be able to sit and talk with her and see if there’s more than just a physical attraction that I need to get out of my system.
I head to the elevator to meet Ellie when my doorman messages to say she’s on her way up. My apartment building is nice, and the security is top-notch. I moved here after things blew up with the rumors about me and Coach Wilson’s wife and reporters were camping in the lobby of my old building. Charlie had lived in the building for a while, which is how I knew about it, but I figured it wouldn’t be permanent, like a grown-up version of when we roomed together in college. He’s been talking about getting a house for over a year now to get a yard for Coco, and when Law told him about the house that came up for sale in his neighborhood, Charlie jumped at it. I do miss having him around, but I think I’d be less willing to push thingswith Ellie if he still lived here. It’d be too easy to go over to his apartment instead and talk myself out of pursuing her when she could be right that it’s a bad idea.
The elevator door dings and then opens to reveal the woman I’ve come to believe is the most beautiful person on the face of the planet. Not just because of looks either. Ellie’s a fierce advocate for female athletes and her friends and family. Given her immediate willingness to help Anna, that applies to anyone who needs her.
“Hi,” I greet her as she steps out. The long floral skirt she’s wearing has a slit up the side and the bottom of her sleeveless top skims the skirt’s waist, showing a tiny sliver of tanned skin.
“Hello.” She smiles and we stand in the hallway a moment just staring. It’s a habit I think we should instill immediately in our relationship, if there’s going to be one. A few minutes without talking, looking at each other and reading the vibes. Maybe it will save us a few arguments.
“I brought sparkling water,” she says, holding up a six-pack of orange-colored cans. “I thought we should keep clear heads, so wine was a no-go, and I know you love this brand.” She throws me a smirk. “You’re not the only one who’s good at Instagram sleuthing.”
I eye the label of the can, pretending to check out which flavor she brought—peach—as my cheeks heat over her alluding to the night I brought cookies from Kookie Hause to Charlie’s. Has she figured out yet that I claimed to love sugar cookies when I hate them? I wouldn’t put it past her.
“I never underestimate you,” I reply.
“Well. Not anymore.” She grins at me in a smug way. “Also, pineapple sorbet.”
My eyes widen at how thorough she’s been discovering my favorites. “Now you’re just embarrassing yourself.”
She laughs and wiggles her eyebrows at me. The action is so adorable I almost kiss her on the spot.
“Thank you, Ellie.” I take the sparkling water in one handand then use the other to hold her now free hand and lead her down the hall to my apartment. She doesn’t protest the contact, which is a good first step for tonight.
“I can tell how hard you train,” she says as we walk. “I swear seventy-five percent of your pictures are from one gym or another.”
I pause and tap in the code to my door and then swing it open, leading her inside. “I have to work twice as hard to stand out since I’m on defense.”
“Dad says only a couple defensive players have ever won MVP, but that people are talking about you doing it.”
