Page 11 of Making the Call
I laugh. I can’t help it. “Yeah, we sure did.” We’re the World Champs, but I’m not one to brag. It’s refreshing to meet someone who doesn’t seem to care about the team at all. She’s definitely not a wannabe WAG or jersey chaser. It’s humbling to meet someone who has no idea what I do for a living.
“What?” she asks incredulously, with one hand punched into her hip as if she knows there’s something I’m not telling her. The curly brown knot on the top of her head bobs as her head cocks to the side.
Trying to remain humble, I lose my smile and state, “We actually were league champs last season, so I’d say we didreallywell.” I scrutinize her reaction. She must be joking. Who didn’t know we won?
She seems genuine when she bites her lower lip. Her features flush the slightest shade of red, but I notice. “I… Uh… Know what it means to be league champs. But I have to admit…” She looks away to avoid my eyes before she whispers, “I never pay attention to who wins.”
“Well, we can’t have everything in common,” I say, trying to make light of the situation, while holding in my laughter. She’s fucking adorable. I’ve never been more interested in a non-fan before. I mean, it’s not really a big deal if she likes football. Well, it’s my life… but not the end of the world. I shake my head in disbelief and pull the last steak off the grill.
“Want to eat inside or here on the deck?” There’s a light breeze coming from the Sound and still an hour or so until sunset.
“Let’s go inside and eat at the table. Easier to cut steak that way. I’ve already been enough of a mess around you today.” She smiles and shakes her head as she walks toward the screen door.
“Inside it is then.” I hold the door open for her, and she makes her way to the dining room table. I can’t remember the last time it was used. I set my plate down and retrieve silverware and our beers.
As she slices off a piece of steak and places it in her mouth, Dani lets out an almost inaudible sigh, which as quiet as it is, still sets something indescribable off inside me. Before I take a bite of my own, I can’t help but ask, “Good?” The savory flavor bursts in my mouth, and I fully comprehend why a moan escaped from her just now.Not bad, if I say so myself.
She finishes chewing, and a beautiful smile flashes across her face. “This is sooo good. I had no idea I was this hungry.” She takes a sip of her beer and reaches for her napkin. “You’d better watch yourself…”
“Why’s that?” I play along.
“When the diner’s closed, I might just show up like a lost stray begging for food.” The saucy look crossing her face has me wishing she’d make good on her threat.
I roll my eyes as I shake my head in embarrassment. “Seriously, don’t be too impressed. This is all I can cook, besides breakfast. You’d tire of it quickly, I’m sure.”
She takes another bite, and her appreciation is evident on her face. “I’m not so sure about that. This is fantastic.”
Not knowing what else to say, I fill my mouth with more food. We eat for a while in comfortable silence. I can’t help but notice as the sun illuminates her beautiful face. She has a light dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose, and the dark-auburn streaks shine throughout the messy bun she wears as well. Dani is mesmerizing. I could sit and look at her all evening.
Eventually, I notice she’s lost in thought, completely unaware of her surroundings as she takes in the view from my nearby window. She takes me off guard when she gasps. Her eyebrows knit together, and she cocks her head as if she’s uncertain of something. I try to follow her line of sight, but I have no idea what holds her attention.
Within seconds, she confuses me even more when she suddenly scoots back her chair, abruptly stands, and mumbles something like, “Damn, that might work…”
What the hell is she talking about?I watch with interest as she darts across the room, going directly for her purse. “Dani?” I question, wanting to make sure she’s okay.Did I do something to offend her?
“Just a sec…” she whispers. She digs around in her medium-sized brown leather purse. It isn’t that big. What’s she looking for? She pulls out her phone and immediately types something, but it beeps, showing it’s almost dead. The flash of frustration on her face is evident. I can’t be certain, but I think I hear a curse escape her mouth from across the room as she digs into her purse again. A loud groan can be heard when all she pulls out is a pen.
“Need something?” I offer, trying to be of help.
“Paper,” she pleads, obviously in a rush. “My phone’s dead, and I forgot the notebook I always carry.”
Seeing her desperation, I immediately need to relieve her unneeded stress. I quickly get up and walk to my home office. I return with a brand-new notebook, the kind I always write in while watching film. It’s nothing fancy, but the look of pure relief flowing from every essence of her being says it’ll more than do.
“Thank you,” she whispers as she takes it back to the table to sit next to her now-forgotten food. It’s adorable how she immediately pulls one foot up to the chair, making her knee stand out from the table. She scrunches around the pad of paper with complete concentration, encasing the knee that’s between her and the table as if she’s Gollum seeking his precious ring. Words fly onto the page as she bites on her lower lip in concentration.
Her creative process is phenomenal to watch. She completely tunes out the world around her as she immerses herself into the one she creates in her mind. Not knowing what else to do, I return to my seat and finish the rest of my meal. After filling eight to ten pages, Dani lets out a deep breath and finally makes eye contact with me.
A blush creeps over her as she realizes I’m still in the room with her. I’m not sure what to make of it. But her sudden embarrassment’s amusing. It’s as if she actually forgot I was even here.Talk about humbling.I have lost track of time as I watch her, so I’m not put out by it at all.
“Hey there,” I say as a smile spreads across my face. “Welcome back.”
