Lips folding in on themselves, she sighs. “Oh.”
“Is there—” My gut twists, but I force myself to ask. “Is there something going on between you two?”
She lets out an uncomfortable laugh. “What? No. He’s my coach.”
Ryan glances back, and when he sees she’s looking his way, he winks.
Immediately, a flush works its way up her cheeks. Fuck. Shit.No.
“Right,” I grit out. “And that would be totally inappropriate.”
Her brow creases. “Yeah, I’m aware. Stop being weird.”
“I just want five minutes alone with you. Can we do that? Ditch everyone for a few?”
I sound pathetic begging like this, but I don’t care.
“Sure. How about we sneak off for a few after we order?” She squeezes my hand like she’s trying to settle my nerves, like she can sense my internal freak-out.
I don’t even care, because for five fucking seconds with her hand in mine, I relax.
Forty-five minutes later, Adeline and Ryan are still regaling us with stories of training, discussing the upcoming games, and sharing inside jokes they’ve amassed during their months together.
And I lose my shit.
Desperate for fresh air and concerned that if I stay here any longer, I’ll launch myself across the table and strangle him, I excuse myself, holding up my phone, pretending I’m getting a call.
I’m pacing back and forth, trying not to pull my hair out when the door opens and Adeline appears.
“What are you doing? Is everything okay?”
Pulling up short, I frown. “Huh?”
“Your phone call? Is it your mom? Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
“What?” I’m so off-kilter after tonight that I can’t make heads or tails of the conversation.
When she steps up and presses her hand to my racing heart, she does me no favors, but like hell will I back away.
“JJ, it’s me. You can tell me anything. What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to see you,” I admit, my voice rough.
Her eyes warm as her lips curl up. “Well, hi.”
I blow out a breath, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Hi.”
“What’s going on?”
I shake my head. Where do I even start?
“Fine, I’ll go first,” she says, still smiling. “I’m scared that I’m going to miss every shot and cost our team the win. I’m insanely excited to see you. Andyou’re kind of freaking me out.”
That lightens the weight pressing on my chest a little. “We both know you aren’t scared, Adeline.”
She grins. “You’re correct. Now you go. Like I said, you’re freaking me out.”
Licking my lips, I take a step closer. The ground beneath us is cobblestone, and the light coming from the old kerosene streetlamp makes Adeline’s brown eyes twinkle as she assesses me.
