Nicole shook her head. “No. There’s a break in the schedule in a little over a week. We’ll both be off and a couple of days away, out of my apartment, would be nice. Don’t you think?”
Stuart smiled. “I think Ariana just wants to be where you are. It doesn’t matter to her.”
“Maybe.” Nicole shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m too old or boring for her. She’ll be playing a video game and I'll simply sit next to her and read.”
“Ah, the younger woman. Do you have any idea how proud I am?” He chuckled as Nicole playfully threw a wadded up napkin at him. “You are not too old for her. She tells me about your battles on the court on your roof and how good you are. That’s high praise from a professional baller.”
Nicole smiled and sipped her beer.
“Have you told Kate about…” Stuart pointed at Nicole and then the TV where Ariana’s game was about to start.
“Oh no.” Nicole widened her eyes. “You’re the only one who knows. I’m not telling Kate until I have to.”
“Have to?”
“I’m not sure what Ariana and I have, but for now, we’re both happy.”
“Interesting,” Stuart said, giving Nicole a look.
Nicole furrowed her brow. “What?”
“Don’t you think this could be more than a sweet little fling?”
Nicole raised one shoulder.
“Here comes Kate.” Stuart nodded towards the door.
“Hey, has the game started?” Kate asked, sliding onto the stool next to Nicole.
“You’re just in time.” Stuart motioned with his thumb to the TV behind him. “What are you having?”
“Hmm, I’m thinking a margarita with that special salt blend of yours on the rim.”
“Coming right up,” Stuart replied. He slapped his hand on the bar in front of Nicole and widened his eyes. “Ask her.”
“Ask me what?”
Nicole hesitated then said the words in a rush. “Next week there’s a league-wide pause for a few days. There are no gamesand the teams can take a breath, reset, and players can recover before the big push to the playoffs.”
“That seems like a good idea.”
“I was wondering if your family’s place in Rhode Island might be available? It won’t be on the weekend, it will be during the week.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Just a couple of nights,” Nicole replied. “Wednesday through Friday?”
“That should work. I’ll check to be sure, but no one uses it during the week.”
Stuart set Kate’s drink down in front of her and rested his arms on the bar.
“Are you going alone?”
Kate’s question hung in the air as Stuart smirked and dipped his head at Nicole. She winced then glanced over at her best friend.
Kate gasped. “You’re taking someone with you!”
“Hold up,” Nicole said, grabbing Kate’s arm. “You’ll be happy to know that I’ve been kind of seeing someone, but I’m not ready to share the details yet.”
