Page 21 of Rounding Third

“Ok, hold on.” She murmurs something on the other side of the line and a few seconds later, her side is almost silent. “What’s wrong?”

“Smithy stripped down in front of me to only his boxer briefs,” I whisper.

“Okay…”

“And then he said I'm staying at his house tonight and he got me a t-shirt to wear. I don’t know what to do Winnie! I’m freaking out! He’s been really touchy feely and he was staring at my boobs. He untied my shirt because my hands were shaking too much and gave me one of his shirts to wear. Then his phone rang and popped our little bubble. Before he left to take a call from his manager, he adjusted himself and he was really turned on,” I say in one quick exhale and take a deep breath before I get dizzy.

“Liliana, he’s falling hard for you. He wasn’t flirting with other women at the bar and his sole focus was on you,” she says with sympathy in her voice. “I know you’re freaking out right now, but I think he’s finally willing to show you how he feels.”

“How do I know this is real though? What if this is just a fling? I don’t want to be a fling, Winnie!” I practically shout as I begin to panic.

“I don’t think Smithy would ever view you as a fling. He wouldn’t risk losing you.”

“So, what do I do?”

“Personally, I’d keep things in the friend-zone for now. The date with Kevin is all lined up for next week. If you want to be sure you aren’t just a fling, wait until a day or two before your date and let him know about it. He’ll make a move then.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I think he’ll panic and make a move faster. Plus, if he isn't serious about you, he’ll let you go on the date.”

“Ok,” I whisper, my stomach sinking at the thought of this not being real.

“It’s going to be ok, Lils. You just need to stay calm tonight.”

“I can do that. I can act like everything is normal.” I nod my head with determination even though Winnie can't see me.

“If you need an excuse to leave, text me. I’ll call you crying and beg you to come over. I’ll say Wheeler did something stupid and it upset me.”

“Thanks, Win, you’re the best.”

“I know. Good luck, Lils. It’s going to be fine. Also, ditch the bra when you put on his shirt,” she singsongs.

She hangs up before I can say anything else. She’s the greatest female friend I’ve ever had. My relationship with her is completely different from my relationship with Smithy though. I can't even compare them.

I quickly strip off my shirt and jeans. I nibble on my bottom lip, trying to decide if I should listen to Winnie’s advice and lose the bra. On one hand, I want to see how Smithy will respond. On the other, I’m a little scared of what might happen.

I want to know though. Before I can talk myself out of it, I unhook my bra and toss it on his bed. Slipping his shirt over my head, I only keep on my underwear. I lift the collar of his shirt and inhale deeply. It smells like him.

I'm picking up my jeans when Smithy walks back into the room. He’s mumbling something to himself and staring down at his phone. He lifts his gaze and pauses mid-stride when his eyes lock on me.

“Damn, I didn’t expect you to look that good in my shirt.” His gaze trails up and down my form, stopping on my breasts for longer than I expected. He swallows hard and scrubs a hand over his mouth.

“What are we going to watch?” I fight to keep my tone even as I climb onto his bed and settle with my back against his headboard.

“Whatever you want. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be busy watching you,” he murmurs under his breath so quietly I almost don’t hear him. Maybe I heard him wrong.

“What’d you say?”

His attention snaps to my face and he shakes his head. “I said whatever you want is fine with me.”

He slips under the covers and lays on his back with an arm tucked behind his head. He frowns when he realizes I'm still lying on top of the blankets.

“C’mon, Sweets. Cuddle with me.”

I slide under the covers next to him and he instantly tugs me into his side. He has his arms wrapped around me before I can even process what’s going on.

We’re silent as we watch a show. I have no clue what’s going on in it. I'm too focused on how it feels to be in Smithy’s arms.

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