“Yeah, but you see, Nic,” Ariana said, moving closer, “it doesn’t matter how high you jump. You still made your shot over me.”
Nicole grinned and took the ball from Ariana. She raised her arm to block Nicole’s shot, but she jumped up and let the ball go.
As it went through the hoop Ariana turned around and grinned at Nicole. “See what I mean.”
Nicole shrugged. She knew she could still play, but was never and never would be the caliber of Ariana.
“Let me tellyouwhat’s sexy,” Ariana said.
“Oh?” Nicole raised her brows.
“The way you dress,” Ariana said.
“What! I don’t dress sexy.”
“Hold up,” Ariana said, retrieving the basketball. “You could wear anything and I’d think it’s sexy because I know the voice. But seriously, when you call a game you’re on camera, for what, maybe five minutes?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Ariana shook her head and whistled. “What you do with those five minutes, Nic.”
Nicole felt the heat in Ariana’s stare and she didn’t look away.
“Whose cheeks are turning red now?” Ariana bounced the ball. “That outfit with the pants and vest distracted me! You always dress so sharp, professional, and sleek. You command respect and it’s breathtaking.”
“Breathtaking.”
“Yes! It’s stunning.”
“Ari,” Nicole muttered. The way they were looking at each other was not how Nicole looked at any of her friends. She took a deep breath, tore her eyes away from Ariana, and knocked the ball out of her hands.
She dribbled around her and went to the hoop for a layup.
“You are so fucking tricky!” Ariana laughed.
Nicole needed to put distance between them and lighten the moment before they did something that would really put their friendship in jeopardy. When she met Ariana’s gaze she could see the moment had passed.
“So I may have told Stuart that we are friends, but he knows all about discretion,” Nicole said, changing the subject. “Have you told anyone?”
Ariana shook her head. “No, but Cameron knows we occasionally text. She won’t tell anyone. My teammates, Rae and Nia, saw me texting you the other night before they went out to dinner. They thought I might have someone new because of the smile on my face.”
Nicole raised her brows, part of her was happy to know she made Ariana smile like that, but the other part was worried this fledging friendship would be discovered.
“Don’t freak out,” Ariana said. “They didn’t know it was you. They think it’s a hookup. However, Cameron assured me if I had someone new I could count on her to keep it quiet.”
Nicole sighed loudly.
“Please don’t be upset,” Ariana said. She reached out and squeezed Nicole’s shoulder. “No one knows and no one will.”
Nicole nodded. “We have to be careful, Ari.”
“I know and I have been.” She smiled. “I may have everyone thinking I’m some kind of slut if they keep catching me smiling at your texts.”
Nicole chuckled. “But I know that’s not true.”
“Not at all.”
Nicole watched Ariana bite down on her lower lip and a tightness pulled deep inside her.This woman. Nicole stopped the thoughts she could feel forming in her head. Friends. Basketball buddies. “Okay, ready to watch last night’s game?”
