Page 39 of Floored

"Hi." I sounded like an idiot.

Her smile spread even further. "That was so freaking fun."

My head tilted. "We lost."

"I know, but ... oh man, you know how long it's been since I've been at a game? Any game?" She laid a hand on her chest. "There is nothing like the energy in the stands. And holy shit, you were not kidding about the fans. I heard curse words I didn't even know existed."

What a balm she was to all the frayed, edgy parts of me leftover from the game. Not because she was trying to soothe me, but because she saw the beauty in it, even with the loss.

We fell in step as I walked us toward the exit to the car park. Her shoulder brushed mine.

I stopped. "You're soaked."

"It was raining out there," she whispered, like she was telling me a secret.

My face felt hot. "Obviously. But that can't be good for you."

She waved that off. "Dude, I'm from Seattle. Rain don't scare me."

As Lia started walking, I couldn't help but marvel. Her hair was a frizzy mess, barely contained on top of her head, she'd sat through that disastrous 1-0 defeat in the cold, bone-soaking rain, and she was acting like I'd handed her a winning lottery ticket.

"Who are you?" I asked.

Her smile was sweet. "Isn't that what you're trying to figure out? Who I am while I'm trying to figure out who you are." She shrugged, as if it was so simple.

And maybe it was.

Maybe I was the one complicating it.

Everything in my life was complicated, though, except her. And that was the strangest part of all. I didn't exactly know where I stood with her, but suddenly, it felt desperately important for her to be the one thing I should do right.

My team lost, probably because I was being a selfish arsehole.

But this was something I could do.

"Are you hungry?" I asked her.

"Yes." Lia clasped her hands in front of her. "I'm not saying I'd murder someone for some fries right now, but I'd seriously hurt them."

"Chips."

"Hmm?"

I set my hand on her back, steering her back toward the exit. "They're called chips, love. And if you're okay with coming back to my place for a do-over, I will make you the best bloody sandwich of your entire life."

Lia stopped walking and pointed a finger at me. "Do we need ground rules for being alone in a house together?"

"I don't know. Do we?"

Clearly, she'd expected me to give her an actual answer. Lia blinked a few times.

I laughed. "Tell you what, if we make a promise to each other that tonight, clothes stay on ... would that make you feel like we're being responsible?"

She started walking, a tiny smile on her lips. "Just for tonight, we promise that?"

"For a start."

Lia nodded. "I like it. Let's make our own rules, McAllister. After you make me an epic sandwich."

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