Nicole had been blinking back tears since Ariana had reached for her hand. She’d been staring into the prettiest brown eyes she’d ever seen and felt every word as they streamed into her heart. There had been times with Ariana when she couldn’t believe her heart was so full and now it was overflowing.
She reached down and took Ariana’s face into her hands and pulled her lips towards her. Right before they touched she said breathlessly, “Yes.” Their lips met in the sweetest, warmest, most delicious kiss full of love.
Nicole was suddenly aware of the noise that surrounded them. All of Ariana’s teammates had been looking on and were now high-fiving, cheering, and jumping up and down. The celebration almost matched the one they’d just experienced on the basketball court.
Ariana pulled away and grinned. “I’d like you to meet my team.”
The players surrounded them with words of congratulations, pats on the back, and so much joy Nicole truly thought her heart might explode.
Ariana slipped the ring on her finger. “I hope you like it.”
Nicole looked down at the large, round diamond. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s round, like a basketball.” Ariana winced and grinned. “Cam helped me. She said it’s like our love, it's neverending.”
“I love it,” Nicole said. “Almost as much as I love you.”
Ariana’s smile brightened the room.
“You’re right,” Nicole said. “We had to go through a lot to get here. There’s no reason to wait for what’s next. Let’s make it happen.”
“I thought you’d see it that way.”
Nicole slid her hand behind Ariana’s neck and pulled their lips together. This kiss was full of promise, joy, and a little hint of desire.
“Taste,” Ariana said softly. “The perfect song. I want to kiss your lips forever.”
“I’m loving forever.”
Their lips met once again. The noise around them disappeared, the world stopped, and it was just them, now and forever.
Six Years Later
Nicole glanced over at Ariana and reached for her hand. “Was it strange being in our dressing room?”
Ariana chuckled. “I can remember sneaking in there a few times before or after my games to steal a kiss or just to see you smile. But I never imagined I’d be changing there to actually commentate a New York WNBA game.”
They walked down the hallway and onto the gym floor. There were people roaming about preparing for the upcoming game to open the WNBA season.
“Is that Shealyn?” Ariana asked, gesturing to the media table.
“She’s here to make sure we don’t screw anything up.”
“If there wasn’t pressure before, having the boss here just added to it,” Ariana said.
“Aw, don’t you look cute strolling over to the media table hand in hand,” Shealyn said.
“Hey, boss,” Ariana said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Yeah, I don’t remember Laura or Rob being here for opening day when we were commentating,” Nicole added.
“I’m here to give you encouragement,” Shealyn said. “You’re making history and I wanted to see it for myself.”
“Are you sure you aren’t a little nervous about usandyou’re missing your old job?” Nicole asked.
Shealyn smirked. “I have full confidence in you both. I didn’t move into the big office to oversee our broadcast team without knowing who to put in our major market on opening day.”
Nicole grinned. “Why did you decide to take that promotion?”
