I wouldn’t, but I can think of a handful of people that can personally attest to it. Guys on the team, my brother, and hell, aren’t your parents still together ? They were. My point is, one bad experience-
You mean fucking awful experience ? I muttered.
His mouth curved with amusement. Sure. But still, one fucking awful experience doesn’t mean another relationship can’t work out. And the only way to figure out if it can work is to talk about it. Preferably with Lia and not me.
There was no denying that he was right, because there was something about Lia I couldn’t shake. Something that had gotten under my skin. But what exactly it was ? There was a list.
It could’ve been the shyness that bloomed into an intelligent, sexy woman. Her love of sports balanced out with an understanding of how hectic my schedule was. Her dedication to her research that mirrored-and exceeded-that of guys I’d seen give everything to be the best in the game. And our chemistry, man was it off the charts. Even after having not seen each other in weeks, I could still feel that heat and want building in my chest. Like a balloon waiting to pop.
And, as scary as it was to admit to myself, I needed to know if Lia felt the same. I needed to know if I had to trample these embers of feelings once and for all or go down the far riskier route of seeing where things with her could lead.
I wasn’t completely naive though. There were obvious variables in the way, but as thoughts of her overflooded my mind, I figured there must be a way we could make the equation work.
Twenty minutes later, I was walking into the Italian diner I’d found on Google Maps, a bell ringing above my head as I scanned the room for Lia.
It was a seat yourself type place with red checkered tablecloths on every table, black and white framed photos of iconic Italian landmarks on the walls, and a whole chalkboard wall to the right listing their entire menu in cursive. Classic with a few unique twists, and fairly popular if the number of guests was anything to go by.
And among them, Lia sat near the back left of the restaurant, smiling up at the waitress as I headed over.
Hey, I greeted. I wanted to lean over to kiss her hello, but restrained myself.
Lia’s eyes gleamed as they met mine, though the waitress cut in before she could talk, so she settled for a wave as I took a seat across from her.
So, I’m guessing you’re the man we’re waiting for ? I nodded. Could I get you something to drink ?
I’ll just take a water, thanks.
Leaving the two of us to peruse the menu, she promised to be back in a few minutes.
Well, this place is cool, I said, trying to come off calm, cool, and collected despite the nerves eating up my mind. Eventually I’d have to steer this conversation into a more serious one, but in that moment, I was honestly happy just sitting across from her. Have you ever been here before ?
Twice. It only opened a year or two ago, but it’s been pretty popular among the student crowd since it’s fairly cheap, she replied before the fingers on her left hand began to fiddle with the edge of the tablecloth.
Nervous about something ? I teased, nodding to her hand.
She smiled sheepishly, a blush coating her cheeks at having been caught. Sorry. It’s just, even though it’s been less than three weeks, it’s a bit weird seeing you again. She lifted a shoulder, biting her lip. I missed you.
Those three words were exactly what I needed to hear.
My grin widened as I reached across the table to intertwine our fingers. I missed you too.
Every part of her expression seemed to radiate joy at my response. Her eyes were brighter, her cheeks redder, her grin bigger, and when she squeezed my hand, she didn’t let go.
How are you finding Los Angeles ? she asked, lifting a brow. I know we’ve talked since you moved, but how are you really finding living out in California compared to Boston ?
Well, considering I’ve been traveling half that time, it hasn’t sunk in yet, you know ? I can tell you that the traffic’s a lot worse out there, but otherwise, things have been good so far. The weather’s been great, I can move into my condo next week, the guys on the Royals have all been pretty welcoming, and I don’t know- I shrugged, the corner of my mouth quirking upward. -it kind of feels like going back home. Or at least it’s starting to.
That’s great, Derrick.
I do miss you though, I added. And I know I already said it, but-
I get it, she replied softly.
As I smiled back, the lead in to where I wanted to take this conversation was interrupted by the return of our waitress, and I pulled my hand back from Lia’s. Having not really looked over the menu at all, we both quickly scanned the wall before ordering the house lasagna with a side of fried calamari to share.
And it took a while for my courage to come clean about my feelings to build up again. There were moments-in between the bread, the appetizer, and our main meal-where I could’ve brought it up, and at times the words were on the tip of my tongue, but each time a small seed of doubt would pop into my mind and stop me.
Though once our empty plates were taken away, I knew I was running out of time. Lia was incredibly busy with her research and had likely taken an extended break just to eat with me. I didn’t need to be inconveniencing her further, meaning the clock was ticking.
If this was a hockey game, it would be the last seconds of a tied game. I would have control of the puck, and with one last chance, I would’ve wound up and took my shot.
Which is exactly what I did.
So, I started, picking nervously at the edges of the napkin that rested on my lap, I talked to Nyberg this morning.
How’s he dealing living by himself ? Or has he found another roommate ?
He seems fine with it, honestly. I went over to pack up the rest of my stuff and he never mentioned looking for another roommate, I explained. Though he might come the off-season, who knows. But that’s not actually what I wanted to talk about. A tiny crease formed between her eyebrows as she waited for me to continue, and I thought it was incredibly sexy. Also, adorable. I mentioned I was meeting up with you for lunch and he, uh, kind of said something that resonated with me, but I don’t know if it will with you.
Okay… what was it ?
He thought that us-me and you-were basically in a relationship, we just weren’t putting a label on things.
The way she froze for a moment told me I’d caught her off guard, but I stayed silent, not wanting to push or explain further until she spoke.
That’s, uh, that’s, I mean, okay, she rambled, struggling to form a coherent thought.