Page 34 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“You bring dinner and flowers and don’t know if she’s home?” He chuckles and takes a step back, gesturing for me to come inside. “Is there enough for me?”
“Yeah, there’s plenty.”
“Smart man,” he states, patting me firmly on my back, just below my right shoulder blade.
Flinching, I mutter, “Watch the shoulder.”
At my words, Layla jumps up from the couch and storms over to us, visible fury in her petite form. “What did you do?” she asks, glaring at Gabe.
“Nothing,” he claims, holding up his hands as if he’s innocent. “I’m sorry, Levi. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I’m fine, Layla. It wasn’t intentional.”
She side-eyes her brother making him chuckle. “Sure, it wasn’t.”
“It’s okay,” I insist.
Sighing, she brings her tired gaze back to me. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I brought you dinner and some flowers.” I hold the bouquet out for her, relishing the smile that lights up her face.
“Thank you. These are beautiful, but if you keep this up, I will run out of room for my stuff.”
Grinning in response, I change the subject. “Do you like Mexican?”
“Yes, but, we didn’t have plans tonight. What are you doing here, Levi?”
“Just say thank you, Layla and let the man into the kitchen,” Gabe answers sounding exasperated.
I chuckle and arch my eyebrow in response, waiting for her to decide. Her appreciative smile is all I need, her cheeks tinging a deep shade of red.
“Thank you, Levi.”
“I brought a little of everything since I wasn’t sure what you would like and I knew Gabe was here too.”
“If you don’t want to date him, Layla, maybe I can convince him to date me,” Gabe jokes. “Even if he is a Lion.”
We all laugh. Layla steps closer to me and pushes up on her tiptoes, her hand resting on my forearm as she presses her lips to the corner of my mouth. My heartbeat skyrockets as she falls back on her heels. “Thank you.”
A grin lights up my face. “You’re welcome. I figured with adding me to your schedule, you have a busy week. I’m sure you’re tired, so I wanted to do something for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but I do appreciate it.”
“So do I,” Gabe adds, smirking. “What did you bring?” He claps and rubs his hands together.
Layla laughs, playfully shoving her brother, but he doesn’t move an inch. “What is wrong with you?”
I unpack the food, Layla sets it out on the counter and Gabe grabs plates, silverware, and drinks for all of us. After we fill our plates, and sit down at the table, I glance at Gabe. “Sorry about the end of your season.”
Frowning, he replies, “Me too, but it wasn’t as bad as the end of yours.”
“Mine was over before the team, I just hope it’s not permanent.”
“You have the best helping you get in shape now. If anyone can get you there, it’s Layla.”
I glance between the two siblings. Their admiration, respect, and love for each other apparent. Gabe’s faith in her shows how intelligent and skilled she truly is. “Why aren’t you a physical therapist for a pro sports team? You have the resumé, the talent and the connections.”
Gabe takes a bite of a burrito and arches his eyebrow in question, like me, waiting for his sister’s response.
