Page 84 of Storm in a Teacup
“I’m done.”
I purse my lips. This can’t end here. I mutter, “You’re allowed to care about me, Ben.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.” I meet his eye. “Because I care about you, too.”
He seems satisfied. “Grand. So, the line has been officially pushed.”
“Okay.”
I relink myself to him as we start walking again, mentally crossing my fingers, hoping he does not bring up Atti.
He doesn’t. Instead, he gets us back to normal and says, “So, I, er, I agreed to go to a football match with David on Saturday. Tomorrow.”
My eyebrows raise. “Did you? Just you and him?”
“Aye.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Very. But it’s good that we’re doing this.”
I squeeze his upper arm. “I agree. I’m here if you need to talk about it with me afterward.”
“Thank you, Linbolina.”
“That’s a new one.”
“I think it’s a new favorite.”
I chuckle, shoving my key into my door. I’m personally a sucker for “sugar” or “Lin.” But he doesn’t need to know that.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ben
I arrive at the stadium, nervously fidgeting with my sunglasses as I walk the long stretch of pavement that leads to the gates. David texted to say he’s waiting outside. This is a bit of an odd choice of activity for us. I mean, I love football. David likes it okay, but the American in him has always much preferred a baseball game to “soccer.”
He suggested this because he knowsIlike it.
When I see him through the crowds, he throws up a hand in a wave. “Hi,” I say as I reach him.
“Hey, man.” He gestures to my kit. “I see the lucky jersey still fits.”
I sigh dramatically. “I figured by the age of thirty, my bulging muscles would have made it tear in two from the bulk. But, alas.”
“Those thighs are trying to do the work of that.”
“I’ve ripped a trouser or two in my time.”
“I know. I was witness to both of those occasions.”
I click my tongue. “You liked it.” I cringe, coughing as I reprimand myself for getting too comfortable. As much as I wish things were back to the way they used to be, we are not there yet.
But David smiles as though we are. “Should we head in?”
“Aye.”
