Page 295 of Well Played

Nando lowered himself into the chair and reached for a bottle of water while another volunteer poured him some orange juice. “Yes, ma’am.”

Lila glanced back at the donor area. “I need to get back in there. But it was really nice chatting with you.”

“You too, Lila,” he said. As she turned to leave, he called out, “Just let me know when I can take you up on that challenge.”

“Loser buys dinner? At the winner’s choice?” she teased.

“I don’t know,” he said, feeling more himself. “I’m not a cheap date.”

“That’s cool, neither am I.” She handed him her phone. “Put in your number, we can set something up.”

He put in his digits and handed it back. She hit call, setting his phone off. He answered it, his eyes still on hers. “You’ve reached Nando, please leave a message.”

She just shook her head. “Hi Nando, it’s Lila. I’ll let you know when I’m free to wipe the floor with you on SSX.” Ending the call, she started backing up to the donor area. “You can call too. The phone works both ways.”

“I’ll remember that,” he replied.

Lila gave him one more smile before returning to her station. Brooks watched her walk away before joining Nando at his table. “Not bad, rookie. Not bad at all.”

4

Later that week,Lila video-chatted with Jo. “Girl, you will be proud of me!”

Her cousin was sitting in her stateroom, a sad excuse for private quarters that she shared with three other women. “What did you do?”

“I flirted with a guy and got his number!” Lila giggled like a schoolgirl as Jaz hopped onto the computer desk, making himself comfortable next to the keyboard.

“Ok,Ate.”Jo said, her voice demanding as she addressed her in their family’s native language. She drew her knees up into her chest and settled into the cramped bunk. “Spill, I want details.”

“Well,” she started, “his name is Nando, and he’s a baseball player.”

“I’m sure he’s a player,” Jo teased, “but is he any good on the field?”

“Jojo, you are so bad!” Lila relaxed in her chair, pulling her cat closer to her chest. “He’s a catcher, and according to Stephan, he’s pretty good. Next year promises to be even better if he keeps up the work.”

“And he’s cute?”

“Very cute. Light brown eyes, dark hair--”

“And if he’s a catcher, he’s built like a fire hydrant,” Jo teased.

“Not even close!” Lila laughed. “I don’t know why I’m telling you anything, girl. Go find your own man to flirt with.”

“Fat chance of that,” Jo replied. “I’ve just taken my boards. I’ll be lucky to have time to take care of my own business, let alone find a guy to do it for me.”

Lila shook her head. “You’re living the dream, girl. All the cousins are mad at you for being the trophy kid. The least you could let us do is give them all grandbabies before you find your own guy.”

“I’ll worry about a guy when I’m closer to home.” Jo moved her computer so she could lie down in her bunk. “Tell me more about your not short and squat catcher.”

“He’s tall, likeKuyaMarcus, with broad shoulders and really nice smile.” She sighed. “He was at the blood drive and looked like he was gonna pass out. It was so adorable.”

“And of course, you came to his rescue.”

“Of course.” Lila pressed her hand to her chest. “I am a professional.”

Jo chuckled. “So, then what happened? Did he faint? Did you give him mouth to mouth?”

“No mouth to mouth yet,” Lila drawled. “But he’s supposed to call me and see if we can get together and play video games.”

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