“I can work around it. Thursday it is,” Ariana said.
They looked back at the monitor and as they watched the game Nicole felt flutters in her stomach. What started as someone to talk about basketball with had quickly become someone she liked being close to like this. Those sweet flutters couldn’t stop the little voice in the back of her head though.This is not a good idea.
Ariana couldn’t remember when she’d had such a good day. She and Nicole had fast-forwarded through parts of her game then moved into the living room to watch the second half. Ariana read the stats to Nicole and they found things for Ariana to try in the next game.
As the afternoon crept into evening they’d ordered food and watched the end of the Golden State versus Phoenix game. Ariana worried that she’d stayed too long, but Nicole assured her she’d enjoyed the day, too.
When Ariana left Nicole’s apartment she decided to walk back to her own place. It wasn’t too far, the evening was pleasant, and she hoped to make sense of all the thoughts and feelings roaming through her head.
She liked Nicole Neal. That’s all there was to it. If they were in any other professions she would ask Nicole out in a heartbeat. On top of that, Ariana felt like Nicole would accept. The thought made her smile. A couple she met on the sidewalk nodded at her thinking the smile was for them.
Ariana chuckled as she continued to walk. She knew there couldn’t be anything between them, but there already was. As Nicole walked her to the door she could see it in her eyes. They’d shared brief touches all day long. Hands brushing as they walkedto Nicole’s apartment. Fingers digging into her side when Nicole grabbed her to jump for a rebound or when Ariana tickled Nicole’s ribs, stole the ball and went in for the easy layup.
Those playful, sometimes intimate, little touches continued once they’d gotten to Nicole’s apartment. They’d sat side by side at the computer, bumping shoulders and holding each other’s gaze.
“Mmm, those pretty brown eyes,” Ariana muttered as she turned the corner onto her street.
When they’d gone to the living room, they shared the couch and as the game continued they inched closer and closer to each other until Ariana could feel the heat in Nicole’s body as their legs rested next to each other. She wasn’t sure either of them even realized it until there was an impressive play and Nicole slapped Ariana’s thigh in excitement.
At times, there were flutters in Ariana’s stomach signaling the newness and thrilling feelings she knew were growing, but it also felt familiar and true. She was exactly where she was supposed to be. There had been a few times in her life when she’d had that feeling, and being with Nicole Neal felt like the most natural thing in the world. Ariana didn’t have words to explain it, but she felt it.
“What the fuck am I supposed to do about it?” She sighed as she walked into her building.
As she waited for the elevator, Ariana wondered what Nicole was feeling. There were times when they stared into each other’s eyes and Ariana knew Nicole felt it too. She was surprised Nicole didn’t pull away. But then again they’d made it clear they didn’t date during the season and Nicole couldn’t date a player. It was not possible.
When she got out of the elevator on her floor and walked to her apartment her phone pinged with a text.
Thanks for spending the day with me, buddy.
The smile on Ariana’s face drove the negative thoughts away for now.
I had such a good time. Thank you!
Ariana watched the ellipses as Nicole typed her reply.
See you Thursday. In the meantime I’ll be waiting for those outfit pics.
Ariana chuckled and tapped the code on the keypad unlocking her door.
Any suggestions?
“Hey, where have you been?” Cameron asked from the living room.
Ariana froze and nearly dropped her phone. She wasn’t expecting Cameron to be there and her mind went blank as she scrambled for a reply. Just then Nicole sent another text.
You’re the fashionista.
“Hey,” Ariana said, walking into the kitchen and avoiding Cameron for the moment. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be with Terrance?”
“He flew out this evening on another work trip,” she replied. “But he’ll be at the game in Toronto.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Ariana quickly sent a text to Nicole while she tried to think of a reason she’d been out.
Cam is here. What a surprise! Talk later.
She took her laptop out of her backpack and set it on the counter. “How long have you been here?”
