Page 55 of Brick Wall
Fuck, she’s so beautiful.
I stride over to her and go in for a hug, and by her surprised expression, I don’t think she was expecting it.
“Ready?” I ask.
She pauses for a moment. “Um, yes.”
“I’ll catch you later.” Goldie gives Annie a pat on her back and disappears into the crowd of waiting families, probably to find Bryce. I didn’t even notice her until she was gone. Goldie and Annie must have attended the game together.
We walk through a special exit into the player parking lot, and we hop into my truck. I wasn’t necessarily planning to drive her home, hence her confusion, but the moment I saw her, I knew I needed to spend more time with her.
“This okay?” I need to check. I didn’t mean to steamroll her or anything. I just realized how much I’ve missed her.
She simply nods in response, but there’s a small curve to herlips to show her happiness.
We are quiet in the truck. I’m exhausted from the game and not very chatty. Annie looks out the window, at the peaceful night sky.
I love that we can both sit together in comfortable silence without the need to fill the void. I love her company, and I hope she shares the sentiment with me.
In fact, I really want to spend more time with her. It’s already past nine, thanks to the four o’clock start time.
I’m driving automatically to her place, but I don’t live far from her.
“Do you mind if we head to my place?” I ask her.
“Not at all,” she says, still looking out the window.
I take the next turn, and within a few minutes, I pull into an underground garage and get out.
“Fancy,” Annie says as I swipe the key card to the garage elevator and then once again to my apartment door when we reach the correct floor.
We enter the kitchen, but I have an open floor plan, and we easily make our way back to the living room, my main hangout space.
“Wow, look at that view!” Annie gushes as she looks out my windows that overlook Boston Harbor. Lights from the skyscraper dance over the stillness of the sea, making the water slightly visible.
“Yeah, it’s one of the things I love about this place.”
I love my condo, which is housed in one of the original buildings in the Seaport District before more modern structures took over in the area. My place is a mix of old and new with high ceilings but classic charm. It suits me.
Also, the views and location don’t hurt either.
“How long have you lived here?” Annie asks me.
“Three years or so.”
“Mmm,” she hums as we are both standing by the window side by side, enjoying the view. Although, I’m looking directly at her.
“I need to take care of something. Can I get you anything? Dinner? Dessert?”
“I’m all set, thank you. I ate at the stadium.”
I throw my duffel into my bedroom and head to my kitchen to make a snack.
Because of the open layout, I can easily watch her while I work on making my protein drink in the kitchen. I have never been more thankful for open concept living.
I grab a banana from my fruit bowl and my protein drink, then set both on the end table next to me, and sit on the couch. Shit, that feels good. A moan accidentally escapes when I put my feet up.
“Anything I can get you?” Annie teases me as she moves away from the window and closer to me.
