Page 66 of Player
"You're anything but useless, Pia. OK, I'm not an art critic, actually I don't know much about it, but what I do know is that each of your projects touches me."
"But they're asking me to master the technique. I'm not a high schooler playing around in an art workshop anymore. I need to prove myself to my professors."
A silence passes between us before she places her hand on mine. "And you? How's it going?"
I shrug, like she just did. "I know I have to go through this to get my degree and take over my parents' business, but I can't wait until we get to the practical part of the program."
"The internships, you mean?"
I nod. “But that’s still two years away at least.”
"Are you planning to do them in your family's business?" she asks.
"If I can't find anything better, yes, but I'd like to use the opportunity to see how other companies operate. I'm certain I can learn useful lessons for the future."
"Stepping outside your market to look for new ideas, that's smart!"
I smile at my friend. Suddenly, she blinks several times, then tightens her grip around my wrist. Her gaze settles on the bracelet I'm wearing. She plays with the links, looking thoughtful.
"Do you like it? My brother gave it to me."
"Eureka!" She jumps up, startling me in the process. Her cheeks turn deep pink while her eyes sparkle.
"What's got into you?"
Pia points her index finger at me, grinning. "You just gave me an idea for my project!"
"Great!"
She doesn't have time to tell me more, because Player enters the living room. He freezes when he sees us, but Pia seems to bubble with excitement. "Player! Perfect timing!"
Player’s rumpled, sweat tousled hair and eyes move from my friend to me. He doesn't seem concerned about the scene.
"Come here, please," Pia asks him.
Player raises an eyebrow, but he doesn't move an inch.
"I need you to sit next to Dixie," our mutual neighbor explains.
He seems to come back to his senses, and I watch him approach me, my heart beating faster since he entered the room. When he sits beside me, closer than necessary, I swallow.
"Perfect," Pia approves. "Now, take her hand."
I feel my cheeks heating up as I wonder if he'll dare to make such a gesture in Pia's presence. She suddenly comes to life, retrieving her sketchbook and turning to the first page. Then she pulls up a chair facing us. I furrow my brows, not understanding what she's getting at.
Her clear gaze settles on us. Player still hasn't complied.
"I need you to hold hands," Pia insists.
I'm already surprised that Player agreed to sit down, he who takes orders from no one, but he surprises me by taking my right hand. Immediately, I feel like an electric current is running between us. This tension feels so familiar... I remain silent, lost in my thoughts and overwhelmed by what I'm feeling in this moment.
Player moves even closer to whisper in my ear, "You're trembling, Alabama."
His gaze captures mine and I feel like nothing exists outside of us. His attention drifts to my mouth, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from doing something stupid, like jumping on him, right here, right now, in front of my friend.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Pia's movements. She looks like she's in a trance. She's sketching very quickly in her notebook, without really paying attention to us.
"Cat got your tongue?" Player adds.
