“I’m still here,” Ariana replied. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the lobby, waiting to go up to my room.”
“Maybe you should wait until tomorrow to talk to Shealyn.”
Nicole furrowed her brow and considered Ariana’s suggestion.
“You’re pretty upset with her and that might not be the best time for a conversation,” Ariana added. “I don’t mean to overstep.”
“You’re not,” Nicole said. “That’s probably a good idea.”
“Come on,” Ariana said. “I’ll ride the elevator with you.”
Nicole chuckled and pressed the button. When the doors opened she walked inside. “Okay, going up.”
“I just realized something, Nic. We were talking about groupies this morning and here you had one during the game!” Ariana exclaimed.
Nicole laughed. “I don’t think Maggie is a groupie.”
“Oh yes she is! Look what she did to get your attention.”
“Is that what happens? Women do things to get your attention?”
“There are those who get in your way during a game, but then there are others who go all out,” Ariana said.
“All out?”
“Yeah, they might do something crazy and end up in your lap during a game.”
Nicole laughed. “Oh my God!”
“Is your anxiety gone?”
Nicole stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall to her room. Ariana had turned this night around and Nicole couldn’t keep from smiling. “You’re something else.”
“I can’t have random women causing my lifesaver problems.”
“So you really are Superwoman.”
Ariana chuckled. “Maybe it depends on who is saving who. Or is it who is saving whom. Whatever! You know what I mean.”
“I guess we’re saving each other,” Nicole said.
“I’m here for it,” Ariana said.
Nicole laid her purse on the table and sat down on the bed. She could see her reflection in the mirror and noticed the smile on her face. Ariana Villa had put it there. It wasn’t just any smile. Nicole could feel it coming from her heart.
“Do you realize we haven’t even talked about the game?”
Nicole shook those thoughts out of her head. “I know! Did you see JJ?”
“Yes, she played great. Cameron and I wish she still played with us.”
“Did you see her fade away jumper?”
“Oh yeah,” Ariana replied. “That’s new. She gets better and better.”
“Just like someone else I know,” Nicole murmured. “Look at you noticing other players' tendencies."
