Ariana looked up at the building and followed Nicole through the automatic door into the lobby. There was a reception deskthat was unattended in the sleek expansive space. Nicole walked around it and stopped in front of a bank of elevators.
“This is nice,” Ariana commented, following Nicole into the elevator.
“Do you remember meeting Kate at Stuart’s bar?”
“Oh yeah.” Ariana chuckled. “She called my aerial acrobatics a lap dance.”
“She’s not only my best friend but also my agent. Kate is a very, verygood negotiator,” Nicole explained. “When I found this place I didn’t think I could afford it, but with her negotiating skills she made it possible.”
The elevator doors opened and Ariana followed Nicole the short distance to her doorway. It opened into an inviting living area with large windows opposite the door.
“Oh wow, Nicole,” Ariana said. “What a great room.”
“Thanks,” Nicole replied. “It’s not a large space, but it’s just right for me. Let’s change and go up to the roof. I’ll give you the tour later.”
“Okay.” Ariana unshouldered her backpack and gazed around the room. The kitchen was off to the right and opened up to the living room. There was a hallway to the left where she figured the bedrooms were located.
“Let me get my stuff and I’ll change in my office,” Nicole said. “You can change in my bedroom.”
Ariana followed Nicole down the hall and peeked into her office. She had two monitors set up and Ariana could imagine her studying games.
“All yours,” Nicole said, walking out of her bedroom holding her shoes, shorts, and shirt.
Ariana smiled and walked past her into the bedroom. One wall was all windows and the sun streaked through giving the room a bright glow. There was artwork hung on the walls andAriana wondered what each piece meant to Nicole, but didn’t stop to look at them.
She quickly changed clothes while still gazing around the room. There was an open door where Ariana could see into the en suite bathroom.
“Are you snooping in your basketball buddy’s stuff?” Nicole called from down the hall.
Ariana finished tying her shoes and laughed. “Maybe.”
She grabbed her backpack and walked down the hall into the living room where she saw Nicole in the kitchen. “I wasn’t snooping,” she clarified. “I was appreciating your bedroom.”
Nicole glanced over at her and chuckled as she reached into the refrigerator, pulling out two bottles of water. “I’ll show you around later. Let’s go play.”
Ariana smiled and reached for the bottle of water Nicole handed her. Their fingers grazed each other and the contact gave Ariana that familiar flutter that seemed to happen more and more often when she was with Nicole.
“Hold up.” Nicole hurried back down the hall and walked into her office. “We’ll need this,” she said, coming out with a basketball in her hand.
Ariana caught the ball as Nicole tossed it towards her and reached for a bag she quickly slung over her shoulder.
They rode the elevator to the roof and when Ariana stepped out she gasped. Over to one side was a covered sitting area with tables and chairs and even a grill. There was a large area with a basketball goal on one end and weight machines and other fitness equipment on the other. Next to the covered lounging area was another space that could be used for yoga or individual workouts. Circling the entire expanse was a running track with three lanes. This was an athlete’s dream of a home play area. It was a little slice of heaven.
Nicole chuckled. “It’s pretty great, isn’t it?”
“I think I’m in love,” Ariana said. She held out her arms. “I would never leave.”
“Now you know why I’m such a homebody,” Nicole said. She walked over and dropped her bag and bottle of water by the backstop under the hoop.
“What’s your schedule on a regular day?”
“Hmm, I get up and do a workout. It changes from day to day. I run or lift, sometimes do yoga. Then I have breakfast and start work in my office. I look at game film and study stats for a couple of hours then take a break.”
“Do you come up here and shoot baskets?”
“I do.” Nicole grinned. “How’d you know?”
“I could tell from the youth event we did.”
