“Then I’d love to.”
Lia returned to her own apartment to get ready, and they met in the lobby an hour later. After a quick detour to the bakery across the road for a coffee and a pastry, they climbed into Erin’s car, and she followed Lia’s directions to the care home on the city outskirts.
The building had a cheery exterior, the bricks bright and the window ledges painted a dazzling white. Behind the building were winding gardens and dewy grass. A handful of residents sat on wooden benches throughout the grounds, some bundled in thick coats to ward off the chilly April air.
Erin hoped the weather improved soon. She was sick of playing in the rain or the freezing wind, getting covered in mud whenever she was tackled. While playing in hot sunshine came with its own challenges, she’d take it over the alternative any day of the week.
“Sure about this?” Lia asked after Erin had parked.
Reaching across the centre console, Erin squeezed her hand. “Yes. Let’s go.”
She followed Lia inside the building’s ornate lobby. Behind the large wooden desk, a woman smiled at them, eyes brightening when her gaze landed on Lia. “Well, if it isn’t my favourite visitor.” She batted her absurdly long fake eyelashes.
Erin coughed to hide a scoff.
Lia shot her a warning look. “Hey, Mandy. Been busy today?”
“So-so.” Mandy leaned over the desk as Lia stepped toward one side of it.
A sign stating all visitors must sign in hung above an iPad, and Lia’s long fingers tapped on the screen.
“It’s looking up now, though.” Mandy offered Lia another sickly-sweet smile, ignoring Erin. “You’re not usually here so early.”
“It’s my day off, so I thought I’d drop by.” Lia glanced toward Erin. “I’ve signed you in, too. You ready?”
Before Erin could reply, Mandy leaned further forward—no doubt to give Lia a glimpse down her blouse. Unfortunately for Mandy, Lia only had eyes for Erin.
She tried not to be too smug.
Mandy glanced toward Erin, annoyance on her face. “And who are you? I haven’t seen you around here before.”
“You don’t recognise Erin Finch?” Lia answered before Erin had the chance to say something rude. “She’s one of the world’s best players.”
“I thought you were one of the world’s best players.” Mandy’s voice turned simpering.
Erin struggled not to gag.
“You’re sweet.” Lia wrapped a hand around Erin’s wrist and pulled her toward the large double doors behind the reception desk. “Come on, Erin.”
“She was flirting with you,” Erin said once the door was closed behind them. “Is she always like that?”
With a grimace, Lia turned to look at her. “Some days it’s more blatant than others. She was putting on a show today. I think you made her jealous.”
“Good.”
Amusement danced in Lia’s eyes. “Don’t tell me she made you jealous, too.”
“Please.” Erin reached out a hand to slide her thumb along the line of Lia’s hip—a move that never failed to make her knees weak. “I know you’re all mine.”
“I am.” Lia covered Erin’s hand with her own and squeezed. “But is it going to bother you if other people don’t know that? Should I have introduced you as my girlfriend?”
Erin pursed her lips, unsure that a brightly lit corridor in a care home was the right place for this conversation. “Is that what we are?”
Lia’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “I don’t know. Are we?”
“I would like that.” Even though the term made her feel like she was thirteen years old again, with her first crush. “You already know how committed I am to you—and only you. As for other people…” The thought of their teammates—members of the public—knowing about her relationship status made her squirm. “I’m not sure how much I want them to know. Outside of our inner circles, anyway. Just for now. While we settle into things.”
“Okay.” Lia squeezed her hand again before gently extricating herself from Erin’s grip. “Does my inner circle include my grandmother?”
