I haveto pull my shit together. Play at my best. I am on a fine line with Coach, and I can’t slip when I barely gained back his trust. I am not a mess, damn it.
Stepping out of the shower, I drag my hand across the fogged mirror, seeing myself more clearly. Bags lie under my eyes, pale skin. It’s written all over me that I am not in the best form.
I change and pack my gym bag when the smell of eggs and buttery bread draws me into the kitchen.
I do a double take at the set table. Lilly grins so bright that I forget all my troubles. Her simple presence is the cure to all my ailments, I swear.
“I am getting better. Just taste it,” she says, excitement ringing in her sweet voice.
I would taste anything if it’s made by her, not bothered by possible food poisoning.
She digs the fork in the fluffy eggs, bringing it to my mouth. My eyes widen when it reaches my taste buds. It’s great, and the bacon is perfectly crispy.
I palm my chest, faking incredulity. “Who are you and what did you do to my flower girl?”
She giggles as she waves me off, and we take our seats. “I’m taking cooking lessons.”
She chews on that fuller bottom lip of hers, enticing me to do the same. “It feels like a skill we all should learn… and I wanted to surprise you.”
“You surprised me all right.”
Yeah, keep doing that—fascinate me. I am losing myself entirely to her. I want in her heart, body, mind every day a bit more. It’s driving me wild.
FIFTEEN
LILLY
Everything is forgottenwhen he looks at me like I mesmerize him—as if there’s no one else but me, warming my heart, stealing all the pieces at once with just one gaze. His dark blue eyes—my personal night sky—hold me captive in his mysterious allure.
He finishes his breakfast, kisses my cheek, and he is off, leaving me with a forlorn heart and his heady scent lingering in the air.
His absence drowns me in longing, even if it’s for just a short period.
It’s only now that I can think straight again. I should have apologized as well. I acted like a girlfriend inquiring where he had been, as if it were my right.
I am teetering on the edge just as much, longing weakening me to the point I want to shout out that I feel the same. Pocketing my feelings in my chest feels like a betrayal of my heart. My body hungers for him, aching to be touched, kissed, possessed by him, needing to feel him inside me as he calls me his.
I hope my father won’t give him grief today. Ian has enough to deal with. But a professional athlete must shove everything elsegoing on with them deep inside to perform. They don’t have it easy, even with all the money and fame. The crowds, coaches, and everyone else expect their investment to perform.
I wish I could hug him and never let go, cocoon him in love, and assure him he’s more than enough for me.
I head to my place, getting ready for work. Smiling, I remember how he moaned low in his throat when I fed him a forkful of omelet. How his mouth closed around the fork, and for a second, I imagined it closing around my nipple. A fiery ripple of desire skitters down my back.Bad thoughts.
The thing with cooking is that I never had the opportunity to learn how. My mom would always order takeout, and when I was at my dad’s place, it was the same. While my friends could cook, I would either order out or make a sandwich for myself. I will rectify that.
I like it, testing out recipes. It helps that I am not the only adult in my class who struggles. It bothers me that Ian cooks better than I do. I am a bit competitive, which also motivates me.
I park at the back of the store and slip inside.
After the morning rush, I accompany Kat to her dress appointment.
In the small bridal boutique, her parents are there, sipping from glasses of champagne. My friend gazes at the beautiful dresses displayed all around the space. In the corner by the window, a velvety sofa rests. In front of it, there’s a glass table with wedding magazines stacked on top.
A friendly young brunette saleswoman greets us, asking who the bride is.
My best friend answers with a squeal, clasping her hands together on her chest.
I sit down next to her parents and another staff member brings me a glass of champagne. Taking a small sip, the bubbles prickle on my tongue.
