“Chloe, you just scored on the best player in the league!” Nicole said, giving her a high-five.
They both laughed as Chloe ran to join the others.
“That’s quite a screen you set,” Ariana said.
Nicole chuckled. “I had to keep the lane open for my guard.”
“Yeah? So she can score on the best player in the league?”
A smirk covered Nicole’s face and she raised one shoulder. Ariana might not be the best player in the league, but in Nicole’s opinion she was at the top.
“I noticed earlier that you have a nice jump shot,” Ariana said.
Nicole grinned, took the ball, and shot over Ariana’s head. She was rewarded with a clanging swish as the ball went through the chain net. “You didn’t google me? I’ve played a little basketball in my time.”
Ariana laughed, reached for the ball and threw it to Nicole. “Go again.”
Nicole dribbled as Ariana held up her arm in a defensive position. She raised her brows and faked one way then the other as Ariana stayed in step with her. Nicole raised the ball like she was going to shoot then quickly took it back down but Arianahad already committed to block the shot. Once clear of Ariana’s arm, Nicole shot the ball and it went through the hoop.
“Nicely done,” Ariana said. “Wait a minute.”
Nicole waited as Ariana stepped in front of her.
“You were taller yesterday,” Ariana said.
Nicole chuckled. “I had on heels.”
“Yes you did,” Ariana murmured.
Nicole’s eyes widened as a whistle blew, calling them all over to the sidelines. She glanced at Ariana then looked away. A little hint of surprise as well as delight tingled through her body.Was Ariana Villa checking me out?
“Thank you all for coming today,” Beth said. “Ariana has agreed to sign a few autographs. We hope to see you next time.”
As Ariana signed autographs Nicole looked down to see Chloe standing next to her.
“Nicole, do you play basketball in the WNBA?” she asked.
She chuckled. “No, I don’t. Do you watch the games on TV?”
Chloe nodded.
“Sometimes I’m the person you hear telling you the score and the player’s names,” Nicole said.
“Oh, you’re the commentator.”
Nicole was surprised at the little girl’s knowledge. “Yes, that’s me.”
“But you can play, too.”
Nicole nodded. “I played when I was in college, but I wasn’t quite good enough to play in the WNBA. But I still love playing and that’s why I like to come do these clinics with kids like you.”
“I don’t think I’ll be good enough to play in the WNBA either,” Chloe said. “Can I have your autograph? Maybe I’ll be a commentator, like you.”
Nicole took the notepad Chloe held out to her. The clinic had provided one for each kid at the beginning of the event. “Younever know, Chloe. If you keep practicing you might be as good as Ariana one day.”
“Thanks, Nicole,” Chloe said.
She handed the notepad back to Chloe as she got in line for Ariana’s autograph.
