Nova sat on her lap, and they danced in their seat to the music. Antonia directed Nova’s arms in every which way while she bopped her legs up and down.
Samira, Edith, and Vera sat around Miriam, almost as if they were creating a barrier around her. It was nice to see and honestly expected. The Grove Hill community took care of their own.
I desperately wanted to go over and visit, but doing so would raise a lot of eyebrows, and my sole focus needed to be on the boys and the game, not the woman across the way whom I wanted to get to know better.
The horn sounded to start the second half, and within three minutes of play, the game was tied. For the rest of the game, I coached my ass off, changing defenses on a whim to throw the other team off. I’d throw on the press, only for them to call a time-out to make the adjustment, and then I’d have my guys pick up at half-court.
For two quarters, the score went back and forth, but the only one that mattered was the one at the final buzzer. Grove Hill won by two.
This evening, when it was time to leave, I didn’t hesitate to walk back into the gym, knowing Antonia would be waiting for Cutter.
She smiled at me as I walked toward the exit, even though I fully intended to stop and chat with her.
“Nice win,” Miriam said. I wanted to give her a hug but refrained. She had a mask on, and I figured it wouldn’t be smart.
“Thanks. Cutter played a great game.”
Miriam beamed and walked with Samira to sit down and wait for Cutter to come out of the locker room.
“You won,” Antonia said. “Sorry, but that’s all I know.”
“Fair enough. I could teach you about the game if you want.”
She nodded. “That’s probably best, considering ...”
“How about dinner tonight?” I hadn’t meant to ask, but now that I had, I felt like a teenager all over again.
Antonia smiled. “In town, right? I don’t want to go too far.”
“Absolutely. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Bring Scout. He can stay at the house while we’re out.”
Now it was me who was grinning. “He’ll love it. See you in a bit.” I winked and left her there before I said something stupid like asking her to move in or marry me.
I drove home as fast as I could, showered, fed Scout, and put him in the truck to be on time for my date with Antonia. I didn’t care if it was to the diner—we were going out and were going to spend some quality hours in each other’s company.
The front door opened as I pulled into the driveway. I didn’t bother shutting my truck off as Scout and I made our way to the porch. Scout greeted Nova with a barrage of kisses, causing her to giggle. The sound brought a smile to my face.
Antonia appeared in the doorway, still dressed in the jeans she’d worn earlier. Gone was the Timberwolves shirt, having been replacedby a white collared shirt and burgundy sweater. I held the screen door for her as she stepped onto the porch.
“I left the truck running, so it’ll be nice and warm,” I said as we walked next to each other. “We aren’t going far.” I opened the door and waited for her to get in before shutting it and jogging around to the driver’s side.
The drive into town was quick. Not that there was ever any traffic unless something special was going on in town. I parked along the curb, and to my surprise, Antonia slid across the seat and got out on my side.
I held the door open as Antonia stepped inside the Ridgeview Diner, the scent of coffee and warm buttered rolls wrapping around us like a familiar embrace. The place buzzed with life. Locals chatting over plates of meatloaf, high school kids huddled in booths, sharing milkshakes. It wasn’t fancy, but it was home.
The hostess led us to a corner booth, one of the few spots that still had some privacy. As she slid into the seat across from me, I let my gaze linger for just a second longer than necessary. I still couldn’t believe she’d even entertained the idea of going out with me or leaving the house tonight.
“This place is nice,” she said. “Miri likes bringing the kids here.”
“Have you been before?”
She shook her head. “Prior to now, I’d come up on the weekends. We’d order pizza or drive over to North Conway for dinner.”
“Ah, makes sense.” Those must’ve been the trips Cutter had told me about long ago.
“Well, since I dragged you here, I feel like I should at least teach you something useful.”
