Even though I haven’t played competitively in years, the pitch is still one of my favorite places. The shoreline and my flat rock are where I go to destress as an adult, but when I was younger, a freshly mowed grass field with a hint of dew worked equally as well.
“Morning, Sunshine.” Tommy greets me with a tender kiss, one that leaves me aching for more.
I note the teams line up to start the game. I locate Ellie at midfield with a huge smile on her face. “Morning. Am I late? I thought the game started at eleven.”
“No, not at all. It does, it was supposed to. They are starting early since the teams are here and the forecasted rain. Don’t worry. You’re here and you didn’t miss anything.” He slides his fingers between mine.
I hear the subtle anger toward Tess and her failure to put Ellie first even if it’s for sports. Even more importantly, I hear the relief I’m here. Relief I follow through. I almost let it go until I feel a new cut on his hand. He was in the workshop last night. I look over at him. “Why didn’t you call me?” I glide my thumb over the newly rough skin.
“I didn’t want to bother you, and you had company.”
Ellie takes the ball down the right side of the field and crosses it to her teammate who scores the first goal of the game.
Once the cheering subsides, I turn him to face me. “I understand you don’t want to burden me with your problems with Tess, but it’s part of being with you.”
“Thank you. I don’t want her to be the focus of our conversations. I knew from the moment I told you about Ellie you were different. I’ll remember the next time. Maybe you can join me in the workshop again.”
My skin heats up from the reminder of the last time I was there. His mouth is dangerous. “I will every time you need me.”
He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses the back. A small woman with short, dark hair and red-rimmed glasses hip checks Tommy.
“Hey, Tam! What are you doing here?”
“You gave me the schedule.” She notes our linked hands. “You must be Frankie.”
“Hi. Nice to meet you.”
She looks up at her brother, and I see the distinctive nod of approval. I refocus on the game. Ellie is playing midfield. Her ball skills are good, but her field vision is stellar. For the second time, Ellie takes the ball down the right side of the field. This time though, she shoots and misses off the post, but her teammate redirects it into the corner of the net. The rest of the game passes, and Ellie’s team wins by two goals. After a short post-game chat, Ellie bounds over to us and hugs me.
“Hey, Frankie. Thanks for coming. Hi, Auntie.”
“Anytime,” Tamara replies.
“What did you think about the game?” Her question is directed to me.
“Overall, your team did well passing the ball and looking for the open player. Your striker was slower during the second half. Not sure if she was winded or injured herself.”
“How do you know she hurt herself?”
I smile.
“She tweaked her ankle just before halftime,” Ellie informs me.
“I saw you implemented my suggestion for switching sides of the field when you attack. Well done.”
“Thanks.” Ellie smiles and fist bumps me.
I don’t miss a look that passes between Tommy and his sister. It’s a mixture of shock and approval all at once. Part of me is sad the women around here are so awful. The rest is happy they stepped away from an amazing father and even better man. Tommy will go to the ends of the earth for Ellie. I wouldn’t be surprised if he loves his partner as passionately too. I would be so lucky for him to choose me.
“Sunshine?”
“Uh-huh.” I turn my gaze to Tommy.
“Are you okay?”
“Yup. Did you ask me something?”
He smiles, and his eyes light up. “Where did your mind go?”
I turn and note Tamara and Ellie are walking toward the car about twenty yards ahead of us. “It isn’t something I should share yet.”
We start walking toward the parking lot as a few sprinkles start to fall from the sky. “I’m intrigued, but I won’t push. Still interested in going on a real date with me tonight?”
“Absolutely. What time should I be ready?”
We stop at my truck. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Where did you park?”
He points a few rows over. I locate Ellie and wave. She waves back.
“So much has happened since I asked you on this date. I’m glad it’s tonight.”
“Me too.” I set my hand on his chest, grip his shirt, and pull him closer.
“If you wanted a kiss, all you had to do was ask.”
I laugh and press my lips to his. “You can kiss me whenever you want.”
“You can too. I’ll keep it in mind, Sunshine.” He opens my door and closes it.
I push out a breath to calm myself. I’m nervous for our date. I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a decent one, but still. There’s only one thing to do—call in reinforcements.
Me: Can you meet me at my house?
Lily: Freaking out about your date?
Me: A little, and it makes no sense.
Lily: I’ll be there in thirty.
I exhale a breath of relief. Lily will talk me down from the ledge. No reason for me to be worried about this date. We’ve spent more time together in the last week than I ever have with any man before knowing it was going to head south.
I park in my driveway and head inside. I grab a water and chug most of it. After a strong knock, my front door swings open.
“I’m here. Let’s get your nerves settled and you dolled up for your date.”
“Hi, Lil. Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. What are you worried about? You have seen him every day over the last ten days or so, right?”
“I know, and he called me his girlfriend last night. At the time it felt fine, but now I’m freaking out.”
“Why? You get along well. I know you have at least kissed. Has more happened since?”
I open my mouth to talk, but no words come out.
“That good or that bad?” Lily asks.
“Scary good, melt-into-a-puddle-of-satisfied-goo good.”
“Did you sleep with him?” Her question is informational not judgmental.
“No, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop myself if we have the opportunity.”
“Why would you?” She has a point.
“It’s soon, Lil.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Maybe so, but he isn’t anything like Tristan or the blind date Lina set up, right? I assume you more than like him.”
I nod furiously.
“You’re afraid he might be the one.” It’s a statement, but I answer the implied question anyway.
“Yes.” On point as always for everyone but herself.
“Then wear your naughtiest lingerie, sexiest dress, and fuck-me heels and find out.”
“What if it’s bad?”
Lily literally laughs in my face. “Is there a such thing as bad sex? Yes, but if he can make you swoon with only a kiss, I would bet he has a clue.”
She isn’t wrong.
“I give.”
“Good, go take a shower, and I’ll make some snacks for hair and makeup time.”
“Love you, Lil.”
“Love you more, Frankie.”
I hurry into the shower and let the water wash away my concerns, at least for the date part. The afterward part, I’m still nervous about, but it’s me, not him.
A little after five, Lily puts the finishing touches on my makeup after spending almost the last hour blowing out my hair. I pull on my dress and fuss over which pair of shoes. I don’t want to be taller than Tommy, so I opt for the medium-height pair.
“What are you up to tonight?” I ask my sister.
“I’m going to watch movies with Leo.”
“Maybe you should take your own advice. Has anything romantic ever happened between the two of you?”
She shrugs. “We kissed once under the mistletoe at a holiday party, but it was a chaste, friendly peck. We aren’t ever on the same page relationship wise. He’s dating someone right now, and I’m not.”
“Yet he’s spending Saturday night with you instead of his girlfriend. Wait, why isn’t he working?”
“Danica is travelling for work. He takes off at least one weekend night a month. Something about burnout, being the owner and not the bartender anymore. Honestly, I miss my time with him when he’s dating someone.”
“You should tell him how you feel. I’m confident he has no clue you would be interested if you were both single.”
“Would I be? I wouldn’t want to ruin what we have for the possibility of something more, especially if we lose what we already have.”
“I can’t answer that. You should at least consider talking to him.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I nod and turn to face her. “How do I look?”
“Hot as hell. He may faint when he sees you in this dress.”
I hug her. “Thanks, Lily.”
“That’s what sisters are for. Do you want me to stay or go?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but leave. Please. I’ll have an out if you stay.”
“Love you. I want details.”
“Love you more. Broad-strokes details, maybe.”
Lily hurries out the door, leaving me twenty minutes to pace the floor.