Page 18 of Offside Rule

Arianna made a face, and unexpectedly burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that tears sprang from her eyes until the sound was interrupted by coughing. She placed a hand on her chest, smiling from ear to ear.

“God,” she said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

“What’s so funny?”

She laughed again, pulling out the figurine I’d tried to hide. I instantly smiled.

“I don’t know what you’re laughing at, it’s a perfect replica of me,” I said proudly.

“I can’t believe you bought a four-year-old a figurine of yourself,” she muttered, and shook her head. “You’re so goddamn cocky.” When her smile had worn off, Arianna analyzed the doll, and a line formed between her eyebrows.

I stepped closer, not understanding what she was staring at. “What?” I asked, looking at the toy. It had a blue uniform with the number nine on it and everything. I really thought it was a good attempt.

Her lips pursed as she brushed a finger over his—my—nose. “It’s crooked.”

“No, it’s not.” I leaned down, but still couldn’t see it. If anything, it was even more straight than the real thing.

“It definitely is,” she continued, and I could hear the laugh she was trying to contain.

I straightened my back and looked at her. “So funny,” I mocked, though a smile took over my face.

She nodded playfully, fiddling with the figurine between her fingers. After a few moments of silence, she took a deep breath and pointed behind her.

“Do you want to … come in?” She bit her lip, her throat bobbing.

As much as I wanted to, showing up on her doorstep didn’t give her any other choice but to offer. I didn’t want that. I wanted her to ask me to come in when she was ready, not because I had forced her to.

“Maybe next time?” I said, biting my bottom lip. I didn’t like refusing her. “You should rest.”

Arianna bobbed her head. “Yeah, sure.” She smiled at me. “Thank you for these. It means a lot to me, Xavier.”

Her words warmed my chest. “Anytime.” I took a step closer, leaning down to kiss her cheek. She held her breath. “Can I?” I asked, looking down at her lips.

She squeezed the figurine tighter just as she nodded. When my lips pressed to her warm cheek, I let out a relieved breath. I broke away, not wanting to overstep.

As I turned to leave, Arianna’s voice caught me from behind.

“Xavier?”

“Yeah?” I looked at her over my shoulder.

“Are you sticking around?”

Does she want to see me?

I gulped. I had to think quickly. “Yeah, I’ll leave in three days.”

She glanced behind her just as the sound of footsteps approached her. “I’ll see you on Thursday. Thank you again,” she said just before closing the door.

I waited a few moments to hear her walk away before throwing my fist into the air. “Fuck yeah,” I cheered in a whisper.

The only thing I had to do was cancel my flight tonight and find a place to sleep. But it was worth it, as long as I was going to see her again.

FOURTEEN

ARIANNA

Two days later, I glanced down at the clock on my phone, sweat sliding down my back and through my top. It was a sunny day in Venice, and like every other summer, the air was so hot you could barely breathe. I was used to it after having lived here my entire life, so the weather wasn’t the reason for my burning red cheeks and sweat-slicked skin.

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