Breathing hard, she lifted her chin, smiling. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hair flowed like a honey waterfall from the bottom of her hat.
“I feel fine. It’s glorious to be out in the sunshine.”
“Okay, but let’s walk. No running.”
“Yes, Coach.”
She was sassy and unpredictable, but funny, pretty, alluring…he released her. They trudged through the soft sand until the landscape changed. The ground became stiffer, easier to walk on. They found their pace side by side.
Not only was she easy to talk to, but she talked a lot. He pictured her working on a plane, socializing with the passengers. He’d been quick to judge her, getting the wrong impression. Not that it had stopped him from lingering around her. Here he was again, spending the day with her and innocently getting to know her better because they coached together. It seemed ridiculous that he’d balked at her inexperience with coaching. After all, he considered himself a mentor—why not be her coaching mentor too? This plan seemed rational to him and confirmed the importance of not dating her. Spend time with her, but no kissing!
After a pleasant afternoon, he dropped her off on the curb outside of Good Blends smoothie shop.
The passenger door open and one foot out, she said, “Thanks again for making Aunt Edie’s cookies and for the drive to the beach. I think I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.”
“Sure. Good night.”
He waited for her to open the door to her building before pulling into traffic. The thought of returning to the Athletic Club crossed his mind, but he’d been up since before dawn, and it would take him an hour to get home. Weaving through traffic, he took the highway ramp. He needed some quiet time at home, sitting with a beer in front of his fish tank. That always seemed to lower his blood pressure and help him think clearly.
Chapter Ten
Olivia
Olivia let her apartment door stand open after buzzing Tess up. Tess entered the kitchen, hugging Olivia and planting a kiss on her cheek. She plopped her huge woven bag on the counter and dug for her cell phone.
“Check this out.” She positioned the phone so Olivia could see.
Paused at the sink while filling the tea kettle, she studied the selfie of Tess and Kyle with snow-covered slopes in the background. “Did you have fun?”
Tess’s smooth bronze skin glowed and her generous smile filled her cheeks. “I had an amazing day with Kyle.”
Continuing to fill the kettle, Olivia considered the pale-eyed guy she’d noticed for weeks at the Athletic Club. He gave off a hippy vibe with his white-blond hair, skimpy facial scruff, and tattooed sleeves depicting nature. “You never mentioned your interest in him before. What’s changed?”
“It turns out last Saturday was my one-year anniversary at the Athletic Club. I didn’t even realize it. Hard to believe I’ve worked there that long. Anyway, he found me after my class, congratulated me, and asked if he could buy me a drink to celebrate. Since I’m between boyfriends, I said yes.” Straight-faced, she scrolled through her phone, light lingering in her eyes.
Turning on the burner, Olivia grinned. “Is he a good kisser?”
“Liv!” Tess gasped with false offense.
They both giggled.
“He’s good at…everything.” Her dark brows rose in emphasis.
Olivia’s belly clenched as the acute memory of Jacob’s kiss came flooding back to her.
“And he’s sensitive and sweet.”
“Aw, Tess. I’m happy for you.”
Swallowing her tense laughter, Olivia contemplated whether she should spill Jacob’s story.
Tess prattled on about her date. “I’m posting these on Instagram.” She continued talking and posting. “And snowboarding’s a great workout. I’m feeling it.” She twisted in her seat.
The kettle whistled, and she hovered around the stove. Handing Tess a steaming mug, she grabbed the container of Aunt Edie’s cookies from the counter. They each carried their mugs into the living room and set them on the coffee table to cool.
“How are you feeling? Any headaches? Or dizziness?”
Olivia popped open the container. “No. I’m fine. I think Jacob overreacted by taking me to the emergency room. Now my flight schedule this month will be all messed up.”
“Better to be safe than sorry.” Tess sat and bent her legs into a pretzel. “Has your mom been by?”
Plopping down with a huff, Olivia bounced and rearranged the pillow more comfortably. “No, thankfully!” She ran her hand through her hair, adjusting how it hung over her shoulder. “I shouldn’t say that. She’s called every day, and initially she invited me to stay at their house while I recovered. Err, ever since I gave up going to college for my flight attendant job, she’s treated me differently. Our relationship worsened after her sister died. I wish I could fix it, but I don’t know what she wants me to do. Obviously I’m not changing my career.”
“Have you tried talking to her about it?”
“When I tried, it didn’t go well.” She shook her head venomously.
“Sorry. Have you heard from Piper?”
Thanks, Tess, for intuitively changing the subject. At the mention of her mother, her head throbbed. The subject change lightened the weight on her shoulders. “Yeah, I spoke with her this weekend. She wanted to come home, but her schedule is grueling. I told her not to worry about me.”
Tess fussed with the athletic headband holding her tight dark curls off her face.
“Want a cookie? Jacob made them.” She knew Tess would decline before she asked, but it was her way of bringing him into the conversation.
Tess shook her head at the offer and paused. “Oh? He doesn’t seem like the baking type.”
“Hah, he’s not.” Olivia snatched a cookie and set the container aside. “When he was here yesterday, I supervised while he made Aunt Edie’s recipe.”
“Wait a minute.” Tess’s eyes widened, her jaw hanging. “It there something going on between you two?”
Olivia shrugged, scrunching her face. “He kissed me.”
“Bowchickawowwow.”
“But then he said it would never happen again.”
“WTF?” She unfolded her legs and stomped her feet on the floor.
“Remember his no-dating policy?”
“Oh, right. Did he explain why he kissed you then?” She pinched her lips, contemplating Jacob’s seemingly odd behavior.
“I think he got caught up in the moment.” She bit into the cookie, pretending to concentrate on the delicious morsel.
Tess cocked her head. “Elaborate, please.”
“Okay.” There was no hiding the truth from her best friend, no matter how hard she tried. “First of all, his kiss…” She touched her fingertips to her lips.
“That good, huh?”
“Yeah, well, I need to forget about it.” She stuffed the remaining cookie in her mouth and went for another. “Get this. He owned a sports and fitness franchise in Denver. A woman he hooked up with, who was a member, turned out to be a psycho. After stalking him, she accused him of sexual harassment. The case was thrown out of court. But, Tess, it really messed him up. He came here for a fresh start.”
“He told you this?”
“Yeah, he told me. Anyway, his rules are justified because of what happened. But if he’d only admit he wants to date me, I would drop my gym membership like a hot potato.”
“So he’s into you. He couldn’t resist kissing you, and he’s shown up at your place to bake cookies.” Tess slowly shook her head. “Shit!”
“The worst part is—I’m already falling for him. Not only was it the best kiss of my life, but he’s shown me a caring, compassionate side I’ve never experienced before. And I admire his dedication to the team. He’s committed to those boys—even beyond the court. I’ve seen him helping Sam with his geometry homework. And he spent an extra hour after practice with Fitzpatrick, helping the kid hone his shooting skills. Fitz has improved so much since day one.”
&nbs
p; “Wow. I hope he breaks the rules for you. I’ve never heard you talk like this before.” Tess lifted her mug, appearing to be baffled by the situation.
“I wish I could tell him how I feel.”
Tess grimaced. “You don’t want to scare him off, like the Denver psycho. Let him make the first—or in this case second—move.”
“Exactly.” Olivia leaned and plucked another cookie. Aunt Edie’s cookies were always comforting, but these were tainted with Jacob’s bittersweet touch. But she ate four more anyway.
Jacob
“Are those tears in your eyes?” Jacob laughed, dropping the novel to his lap.
“It’s heartbreaking. Erik obviously loves her, yet he’s too stubborn to admit it. His gestures are so romantic,” Olivia sighed.
“This is unrealistic and silly.” He scratched at his beard, bored.
“You don’t have a romantic bone in your body, Jacob,” she retorted.
He snickered, shaking his head.
“Well, go on. I need to find out what happens.”
“I don’t think I can read anymore.” Despite his mocking tone, a smile lit his face. He grew more comfortable around her every day. Monday, he’d stopped by after work and read another chapter. At practice on Tuesday, Dylan mentioned she was going to their parents’ house for the evening, so he only texted her. Last night he’d brought her dinner and filled her in on how the practice had gone and that he’d noticed Dylan’s improvement. Tonight, although a blanket of snow arrived, it hadn’t discouraged his visit. He’d turned up as promised with a pizza and some beer. “Only one more chapter. Then I’m putting the game on.”
“Oh! You’ll let me watch?”
The mocking tone enlightened him; maybe he’d been stern, overly protective. “You said you haven’t had a headache in three days. You’ll be cleared tomorrow. We’ll only watch for an hour.”
“Okay, Dad.” Olivia rose from the sofa. “I’m making popcorn. Want some?”
“Is it loaded with butter?”
She turned, resting her fists on her curved hips. “It’s light butter.”
“Don’t add salt.” He lifted the book and continued reading, at times raising his voice above the clattering in the kitchen.
When she returned with two beers and a bowl of popcorn, he moved to sit next to her on the sofa. He pulled a sip from the bottle and finished the chapter.
They rounded out the next hour with munching on popcorn and yelling at the television. The game was into the third quarter when he switched it on. At the end, she placed the empty bowl on the coffee table. He clicked off the television.
She drew her knees toward him, adjusting her worn wooly sweater. “They got crushed.”
“Yeah, what a blowout,” he scoffed, reaching for his beer. Taking the last swig, he leaned forward to collect the empties from the table. Signaling the end of his visit, he cleaned up in the kitchen.
“Thanks for the veggie pizza.” She joined him in the confined kitchen area. “I promise to make it up to you by making you dinner sometime. But I have to warn you, my baking skills are far better than my cooking skills.”
“Doesn’t have to be lasagna or anything heavy.” He hinted at his healthy eating habits.
Her pretty face contorted. “I don’t eat like that anymore.” Crossing her arms, she shrank against the counter.
The plunging turn in her demeanor piqued his curiosity. “Why not? Giving up dairy?”
“More like rich foods.” She nibbled on her bottom lip.
He waited.
“My uniform has gotten snug.” She fiddled with her sweater collar.
He watched her struggle, perceiving a deeper issue.
“I split the seam on my dress over a month ago. If I were caught on the job like that by a supervisor, I’d get suspended.”
Her sad confession distressed him. He worked with countless overweight and underweight women and recognized the signals of an insecure body image. She had no cause to feel that way.
“I’ve ramped up my exercise routine recently. And I’ve baked mostly for the team.” She eyed the cookie container on the counter.
He looked through the clear plastic. Only a few of Aunt Edie’s cookies remained. He cleared his throat. “I applaud your efforts to eat healthier, but as for your dress size…I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”
He wouldn’t take back his encouraging words, even when her gaze widened with surprise. Damn her sexy doe eyes, and the rounding of her bottom lip! All week he’d kept his emotions in check, telling himself he owed her this time to make up for accidently hurting her. Denying his attraction to her was hopeless. Overwhelmed by longing and passion, he rushed her, crushing his lips to hers. They were as soft and supple as he remembered. He was lost in her sweetness and comforted by her welcoming arms.
On the surface she hadn’t seemed his type, but as he got to know her silly quirks, what made her laugh and what made her cry, he’d become invested. Yet a warning in his brain megaphoned reason. The timing isn’t right. She’s Dylan’s sister. He pressed her tighter to his torso, resisting his inner voice.
He yanked open her cardigan and slipped his hands under her t-shirt, caressing taut skin smoothed over supple curves. When his thumb circled her bellybutton, she clutched his shirt sleeves. Convictions aside, he couldn’t let her go.
A harsh sound filled the air, but they ignored it. It rang again. She broke away. “Jacob—hold on. It’s the door…the buzzer.”
The distraction had flipped a switch, and he shook his head as if to snap out of a daze.
She rushed across the kitchen and pressed the intercom. Breathing heavily, she said, “Hello.”
“Hey, Liv,” Dylan answered.
She flashed a panicked look at Jacob.
“It’s all right. I’m leaving.” He adjusted his clothing.
“Come on up.” She pressed the buzzer, but said to Jacob, “What should I tell him?”
He met her at the door, retrieving his jacket. “There’s nothing to tell. This never happened.”
He opened the door as Dylan jogged up the last step. “Oh, hey, Coach,” he said, his eyes darting between his sister and his mentor.
“Hi, Dylan. See you at practice tomorrow night.” Jacob’s strides never slowed as he passed through the door, down the stairs, all the way to his car. It was entirely possible to keep his brain in a state of denial. It was easier than acknowledging his barbaric actions or committing to a relationship he wasn’t ready for.
Chapter Eleven
Olivia
Drink service ended. Olivia and Sasha returned to the rear galley, locked the cart into place, and tidied up.
Sasha grabbed a plastic bag and said, “I’ll take the first run through.”
Olivia had been cleared to work two days ago and picked up this three-day trip. With two hours of flight time left, she retrieved her playbook from the overhead bin and unfolded the jump seat, smiling at how ironic it was that a basketball team was traveling home on this flight. It was hard not to notice an entire extremely tall basketball team decked out in Boston College gear. Their lanky limbs spilling into the aisle made maneuvering the drink cart through the cabin tricky. And she, of course, recognized Vince Torres. She’d watched enough college basketball with Dylan, and some with Jacob, to recognize a local star.
As she hunkered in the meager compartment, bent over the playbook, a figure loomed above her, further shrinking the available space.
He said, “Are you a coach or a player?”
She glanced heavenward, the cords of her neck straining. The handsome young man flashed her a likeable smile.
“I’m an assistant coach.” She tilted her head, hand resting on the laminated pages. “I’m new at it. I volunteer for my brother’s rec basketball league.”
“Oh, cool. I play for Boston College. We’re traveling home from our game with Duke. We’re still undefeated,” he stated with pride.
“Yes, I recognize you, Vince Torres. And I did notice th
e team.”
He nodded, chuckling at the understatement.
“I’m Olivia.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Olivia. How old is your brother?”
“Fourteen. He’s a freshman, but he didn’t make the high school team, so he’s hoping to pick up some skills with the league. They lost their first game yesterday, but with practice I think they can become a great team.” She noticed the lavatory was empty and he hadn’t moved toward it. “Can I get you something?”
“Just stretching my legs. But I’d love some water.”
She stood, letting her playbook be sandwiched in the cushions of the jump seat. “Yeah, no problem.” Unlatching and opening a draw, she grabbed a bottle and filled a cup. “Here you go.”
He slowly and deliberately ran his palm over her hand as he collected the cup. “Thank you. So you’re a flight attendant and a coach. Anything else interesting about you?”
She unfolded the seat and slid into it, though it didn’t offer much separation between them. Lifting the playbook to her chest and hugging it, she allowed his flirtation.
“Um, I like to bake.” She shrugged, wondering if this athlete would discourage such a waste of good nutrition.
“Wow, just when I thought you couldn’t be more appealing!” He seemed genuinely impressed, but then he squelched a laugh in his fist. “Sorry, that was dickish. I’m sure you get hit on all the time.”
She snickered. “Don’t apologize.” She waved a hand and changed the subject for both their sakes. “Anyway, I’m trying to wrap my head around these plays, but I keep getting confused by all these arrows.” She dropped the book to her lap and pointed to the labeled page.
“Which one are you having trouble with?” He squatted next to the jump seat.
After twenty minutes of discussing plays and talking about the recreation league, another flight attendant wandered into the galley. “Olivia, you’re up for a trash run.” The flight attendant took one look at Vince Torres kneeling at Olivia’s side and added, “Or I could do it for you.”
Olivia leaned around Vince. “I’ll do it, Sasha.”
Defying Gravity (Landing in Love Book 1) Page 8
