Page 54 of Hotshot

“I thought we were going to see where this was going?” Sloane accompanied her words with a questioning frown.

“I don’t want to do anything that might impact your recovery. You need to have your full focus on getting well over the holidays. Nothing else.”

“What if I can do both? I’m an excellent multi-tasker.”

“Sloane.” Ella’s voice held a warning. She hoped Sloane picked it up.

“Ella.”

“You know what I’m saying.”

Sloane exhaled. “I know exactly what you’re saying. But you’ve helped me immeasurably with this injury. Kept me positive, focused, distracted. Now, I want to turn a little part of my focus to you. To us. To possibilities. All I’m saying is, I don’t want to stop spending time with you because of what happened. I want balance in my life. I want you in my life.” She paused, then leaned forward. “Not just in this room, either. In real life, out of this complex.”

Ella bit her lip. She could see a million complications with this plan, but she also knew what she felt when she was around Sloane. Elated. Lit up. Like she could take on the world. “I want you in my life, too.”

“If you don’t want to entertain anything until I’ve recovered fully from injury, then fine. Layla asked me if anything was going on the other day, after she saw those photos.”

Ella closed her eyes. This was exactly the situation she was trying to avoid. “You see my point. If we start something, it takes the focus off your game. I don’t want to be the cause of you fucking up your limited time here.”

“Ella, listen to me.”

“Isn’t that what I should be telling you?”

“These aren’t normal circumstances.”

Ella knew that only too well.

“My point is, I can recover and kiss you, too.” She locked gazes with Ella.

Ella felt it everywhere.

“Don’t you want to kiss me again? Haven’t you been thinking about it ever since it happened? Please say yes, otherwise I might start to doubt my memories and my ability.”

A slow smile spread across Ella’s face. “Of course I have.” She paused. “And yes, I do.”

“Yes, I do?” Sloane grinned. “My favourite three words in the English language.” She relaxed a little in her seat. “How was your weekend?”

Ella swayed as she stared. She was in a Sloane daze, and now all she wanted to do was kiss her. But apparently, Ella had to chat, too. “It was good. Great to see my family.” She could multi-task, just like Sloane.

“Will you see them at Christmas?”

She shook her head.

“In that case, I have a proposition for you.”

“Isn’t that how we got into this mess in the first place?”

“I happen to like this mess. I love chaos. I thrive in it.” Sloane paused. “Would you like to come to my family with me for Christmas?” She held up a hand. “Before you say no, or that it sounds like something a couple would do, I could really use the support. My cousin’s invited me, but if you came, it would feel much safer for me. Plus, you could drive, which would mean I could leave when I want to.”

The logical part of her brain screamed no. The romantic side of her brain swooned that Sloane was asking her out on Christmas Day. Sloane Patterson reduced Ella to a teenager whenever she was around her.

“Say yes? I’m not a great fan of New Year. But if you’re here at Christmas, we could spend it together.”

It made sense.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Great. You’re coming to the game later?”

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