Defying Gravity (Landing in Love Book 1)

by Jennifer W Smith

“The kitchen’s fairly well stocked. Come.” He crossed the vast room to a granite peninsula where two barstools were tucked beneath the counter. He slung his jacket over the back of one and offered to do the same for hers.

  A chill hit her, and she crossed her arms, rubbing her goosebumps. Behind the stools, where a dining room table was meant to be placed, the hanging light fixture was high enough for a tall person not to hit their head.

  He seemed to notice her observation, and said, “I either eat at this counter, or when the weather’s nice, I sit outside.” He pointed to the sliding glass door. “What can I get you to drink?”

  “Water’s fine. Thanks.” The promised view beckoned her, and she crossed to the doors. She wasn’t disappointed. Beyond the glass, the Piscataqua River simmered below. “Wow, nice view.” She observed the landscape, especially the iconic red and black tug boats, until clattering sounds drew her back to reality.

  “Need some help?”

  “No. The oven’s heating and the lasagna is ready to go in.” He swigged his beer.

  She picked up the water glass waiting for her and sipped. It seemed strange; she stood in his home and couldn’t glean anything about him. Aside from a high-powered blender and several bunches of bananas on the countertop, everything was put away. Neat freak.

  The oven temperature indicator beeped, and Jacob tended to their meal.

  She drifted into the living room, cast in shadows by the setting sun, to see what kind of fish were in the tank. Knowing little to nothing about such things, she suspected a microwave-sized tank was a decent indication they meant something to Jacob. She sat in the chair, which ironically faced the tank instead of a television, and observed. The water was lit from above. The fish lived in relative luxury compared to Jacob. Colorful sea plants, a cave, and a sunken ship decorated their home.

  Footsteps approached, and she waited for him to draw near. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the chair’s low, rounded back, his cheek inches from hers. She cast a sideways glance at him, not daring to turn her head lest she be tempted to press her lips to his fine jaw.

  “Have you always had a fish tank?”

  “No. Never really thought about them until my buddy invested in a five-hundred-gallon tank and set it up in the living room of our apartment. That was after college. I got used to having the tank around. It’s relaxing to sit and watch them swim. I lived here in Portsmouth for maybe two weeks before I stocked up at the pet supply store. There’s nothing fancy in there.”

  “What are their names? What do you call this one?” She leaned forward and pointed to the closest fish.

  “That one’s name is Michael.”

  She pointed to another.

  “Magic.” He stretched his arm out, pointing. “And this one is LeBron.”

  “Hold on!” She twisted in the seat, facing him. “LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan—you’re so full of shit.”

  A huge grin on his face, he seemed amused to have messed with her. Pressing her lips together and smothering her giggles, she swatted at his arm.

  Lost in gentle banter and jovial conversation, Jacob seemed startled when the stove’s timer rang. “Oh, it’s done already.” He straightened and returned to the kitchen.

  She joined him; he told her to sit at the counter. He dished out the food and set it before her. “This smells good.”

  He rounded the counter with his plate and sat beside her. “Careful, it’s hot. And it’s a little spicy.”

  Mmm, like you. She fixed her gaze on the plate, grateful she hadn’t spoken out loud.

  “Have you finished your romance novel yet?” He forked the steaming lasagna into his mouth.

  Emphasizing her lips, much like the fish in his tank, she blew on her mounded fork. If it was silly and unrealistic, why even bring it up? “Mmmhmm.”

  She took a bite. Seconds later she pointed to her mouth, eyes wide. Managing to swallow, she covered her mouth before she praised the food. “This is wicked, freaking awesome.” Swallowing again, she added, “Who knew ‘healthy’ lasagna could taste like this?”

  “So what happened?’

  “Happened?” She took another bite.

  “In the novel? I assume Erik and Rowena manage to overcome their differences and find love.”

  She stroked her chin, smirking.

  During dinner she detailed the climax and resolution in the Viking novel. He laughed at her elaborate retelling of the ending. “And…the next book in the series is in my bag!”

  She cleared the plates and prepared to wash them.

  “I’ve got this.” He opened the dishwasher and thumbed her out of his way.

  She said, “Thanks for dinner. It was great. I had a nice evening.”

  He dried his hands. “I had a nice evening too.”

  “Now that it’s dark, I’d like to check out the view again. Is it okay to go out onto your balcony?”

  “Of course. You might want to grab your coat.”

  On his balcony, she shivered and hugged herself. The coat she wore did little to protect against the wind.

  Jacob followed her outside. When he reached her side, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, shielding her from the breeze and biting cold.

  Her shivering subsided as Olivia’s internal thermometer roared to life. What do you think you’re doing! Maybe he thought his gentlemanly gesture was warranted, or maybe he changed his mind and wanted to start something between them?

  At this pivotal point, she could choose to remain silent and date Vince or she could risk everything and tell Jacob she was falling for him.

  The basketball league would conclude by the end of this month. After next week’s game they’d be in the semifinals, if they didn’t win the semi-finals, then the season would be finished—perhaps leaving only a tiny gym membership to stand in their way.

  She pivoted, facing him. He wrapped his other arm around her, drawing her into his chest. Perfect for kissing. Snuggled in his warm arms, she took the risk. “Jacob, I can’t keep doing this.” She wiggled free from his embrace. “You can’t keep showing up, touching me, kissing me, and apologizing. My heart can’t take it. If you want to remain friends, then maybe. But if there’s more between us…” She stalled. “I have very strong feelings for you.”

  He retreated, burying his fists in his pockets. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I got caught up in the moment, but I’ve already explained why I don’t want to get involved with women from the gym. Mixing business and pleasure hasn’t exactly worked for me.”

  “I understand. I’ve tried to give you space, but the basketball season is ending. I can find another gym. We don’t have to let that stop us from being together.”

  “I don’t know.” He turned his chin into the wind, and the breeze tugged at his hair.

  His hesitation crushed her. She offered a solution, yet he still wavered. Why? Tears threatened, burning her eyes. “So let’s see each other on a professional level—only at the gym.”

  “Liv, I don’t want to hurt you.” His use of her nickname, gentle and pleading, did the exact opposite of what he said.

  It did hurt her—deeply. She stopped him, swallowing her bitter tears. “It’s for the best. And I’m dating Vince.”

  Head cocked to the side, his tone changed. “Dating. It can’t be too serious after your declared feelings for me.” There was a bite to his statement.

  The gall! Anger burned in her belly. She put her heart on the line! She wasn’t one to easily hide her emotions. Though he probably read the misery on her face and heard the shakiness in her voice, she met his unyielding gaze. “We’re taking it slow. He has a lot going on with classes, practice, and the game schedule.” The same excuses she gave to Tess.

  “I was a college player once. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He opened the slider and stepped inside. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

  The ride down the interstate w
as painfully silent before he drowned the uneasy quiet with the radio. After he dropped her off at the curb, he sped away. She’d held every heart-wrenching emotion in—until now. Hot tears streaked her cheeks as she ran up to her apartment. I’m done with him!

  Chapter Fourteen

  Olivia

  Snow fell heavily on Toronto. Olivia stood at the hotel window, cell phone in hand. Seeing the time—five o’clock—she suspected Vince might be finished with classes.

  After several rings, a guy answered, but it wasn’t Vince.

  “Hi. Is Vince around?”

  “Hold on,” he yelled above the background music.

  For nearly a minute, which was a while waiting for someone to come to the phone, she listened to the blended din of voices, laughter, and throbbing music.

  “Yo!” Vince’s voice came through the speaker.

  “Hi! It’s Olivia.”

  “Oh, sorry about the wait.” The music faded some, as though he moved farther from the source.

  “Sounds like a party.”

  “Yeah, every day’s a party—it’s college. You’ve got to come over here. Where are you?”

  “I would, but I’m in Toronto.”

  “Dude, take that shit outside.” His voice became muffled. “Sorry, Olivia. When are you coming back?”

  “I’ll be here at least until tomorrow. There’s a big storm—”

  “Oh, hey, come on in!” Vince called. Lowering his voice, he asked, “What are you wearing?”

  “What?”

  “Are you in your sexy uniform? You realize you drive men crazy, right?”

  “Um. No. But yeah, I’m still wearing it. I finally made it to the hotel half an hour ago. They’ve shut down the airport.”

  “Are you about to take it off—your uniform?”

  “After this long day, I’d like to take it off and burn it,” she grumbled.

  “Wish I could see you.”

  At first, the flirty banter was cute, but as the phone call progressed, she could hear other nearby voices on his end, and she got creeped out.

  Maybe this is what Jacob meant about being a college player once. Not a basketball player, but a playa. Damn him.

  Dylan, of course, would be disappointed if Vince no longer showed interest in their games. And as for them dating, well, they’d only had one date in weeks. She’d been the one initiating the texting and calling. Ugh.

  “Hey, Vince, I’m glad we met, but I think our schedules will make it challenging for us to continue seeing each other.”

  He softly laughed.

  “Vince?” Then she distinctly heard kissing sounds. Is he literally kissing someone while I’m trying to break up with him?

  “Hold on,” he murmured.

  “Are you talking to me or are you with someone?”

  “Olivia, can I call you back?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t.” She hung up and chucked her phone onto the bed. Peeling out of her uniform, she dressed in her athletic gear and left for the hotel gym.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Olivia

  Olivia maneuvered her luggage through Boston’s Logan Airport. It was already Friday, Tess’s birthday. She rushed because she still had to get to the supermarket to pick up ingredients to make Tess her favorite cake. Tess was turning twenty-five, and they had plans to celebrate tonight with some girlfriends after Olivia finished basketball practice.

  “Olivia! Olivia Ward.”

  Slowing to a stop, she turned and smiled at the airline’s local supervisor. “Hi. Karen. Nice to see you,” she lied. Karen had been a huge source of anxiety after the woman wrote her up a few of months ago on the fit of her uniform.

  “I’m glad to run into you. I see you’ve taken measures to ensure a proper fit.” Karen blatantly scrutinized Olivia’s torso.

  Olivia nodded. A rush of relief, and a little pride, filled her. At least she’d made her weight goal.

  Karen’s gaze darted around, inspecting her hair, jewelry, even her shoes. “I’ll be sure to make a note of it. Keep up the good work.” Karen pivoted on her high heels and marched toward a group of laughing flight attendants gathered around a cell phone. “Ladies.”

  Olivia saw them flinch at Karen’s voice before she accelerated again. Nearly noon, still had to pick up Dylan for practice.

  Snow fell lightly as she carried both her suitcase and two grocery bags up the steps to her apartment.

  “Here, let me help you,” Donny, one of the third-floor tenants, offered. He relieved her of her suitcase.

  “Thanks.” She pulled out her keys and opened the door. He set the luggage inside the doorway.

  “No problem, honey. I’m making a run to the market before the ice storm hits. Temps are supposed to rise just enough to make the roads nasty. Bye.” He grinned and shut the door.

  Olivia dumped the grocery bags on the counter, grabbed the luggage handle, and shuffled to her room. “Ain’t no weather going to stop us from celebrating tonight!”

  She’d written off Jacob and Vince. She was single and fine with that. A night out was just what she needed. All I need is a hot shower and time in my kitchen to relax, and I’ll be good as new.

  Hours later the temperatures warmed into the low forties; snow changed to rain. To her disappointment, several of their girlfriends bailed on meeting tonight, claiming the freezing rain would arrive at some point. So far, the drizzle wasn’t freezing.

  After practice, she dropped Dylan at home, said a brief hello to her parents, and returned to her apartment to frost the double chocolate vegan cake.

  With expert swipes, she spread the frosting, but her thoughts were miles away. Seeing Jacob again at practice had dampened her mood. Gone were the sideways glances and the adorable way he used to linger around her. He’d praised the boys, joked and laughed, as if it were a relief to be done with her. Of course, she matched his enthusiasm, echoing his praise and team support. When they coached, it wasn’t about them—it was about the team.

  Olivia dressed for a night on the town. When Tess and Kyle arrived, she hugged Tess longer than usual. “Happy birthday!”

  “Did you make my cake?” Tess asked with a wide grin.

  “It’s in the fridge. We’ll come back later for dessert.”

  Tess said to Kyle, “This is the third year in a row Liv’s made me this cake. And it’s vegan.”

  “So thoughtful.” Kyle glanced between the girls. “You’re a good friend.”

  “Anything for my bestie. And I’ve made reservations at Tully’s Taps—the brew pub around the corner. We can walk and avoid driving in the bad weather. I feel bad for disappointing you, Tess, but the other girls bailed because of the storm.”

  “No worries. We’ll catch up another time.”

  An hour later in the booth at Tully’s Taps, they heard tink-tink-tink on the windows. Kyle pointed to the television monitor mounted above the bar tuned to the local news channel. The meteorologist announced, “The ice storm has made road conditions slippery. I advise you to stay off the roads if possible.”

  “Maybe we should head to your apartment,” Kyle suggested.

  “Yeah, I’m ready for my cake,” Tess sang.

  Once the bill was settled, Olivia followed them around the bar toward the exit. Jacob rose from a stool and blocked their path.

  “Oh…hey,” he called.

  “Hey, man.” Kyle held out his fist. “Funny running into you here.”

  Jacob obliged with a fist-bump and then slipped on his jacket. “Yeah, just grabbed some dinner. I’m heading home before the roads get any worse.”

  “Do you think you can hang for maybe another hour?” Tess asked. “It’s my birthday! We’re going to Liv’s place to have some cake. Please join us.”

  “Happy birthday, but no, I don’t want to intrude.”

  Kyle said sotto voce, “Dude, we have an announcement. It would be good for you to hear.”

  Olivia had stepped away, withdrawing from the interaction, until she overheard Kyle
mention an announcement. This was the first she’d heard of it. Curiosity piqued, she asked, “What’s going on?”

  “We’ll tell you after cake.” Tess smiled gleefully, drumming her fingertips together like a mad scientist.

  Olivia reluctantly half nodded and half shrugged. “Okay. Yeah, sure. You’re welcome to join us.” His company was the last thing she wanted, but she’d do anything for Tess—especially on her birthday.

  Apparently convinced, Jacob followed them out of the pub and walked the four blocks to her apartment. Inside, they shed their wet coats. Tess went right for the refrigerator to collect her prize cake while Olivia switched on the news, keeping the volume low. Playing the good hostess, she served everyone a drink and cut the cake. She plated the slices and enjoyed the sounds of satisfaction as each person ate a bite and moaned with pleasure.

  “You have outdone yourself. Thank you!” Tess beamed.

  Kyle praised her mad skills.

  “What’s your announcement?” Jacob asked immediately after finishing his tiny slice of cake.

  Tess and Kyle joined hands and looked into each other’s eyes for what seemed like hours.

  Olivia licked the remnants on her fork. This seems serious. Tess is impulsive, but they can’t be engaged—or pregnant. She held her breath, frustrated that they took so long to answer. “Well?”

  Kyle began, “You guys remember my tiny house, right?”

  “What about it?” Jacob asked. “Are you planning on leaving sooner than planned—or unplanned?”

  “Dude. You. Are. Good.” Kyle pulled Tess closer to him. “Yeah—only this one is coming with me.”

  Olivia’s jaw dropped until she started laughing. “What? Like on a test run?”

  Tess’s face flushed. “No. Kyle asked me to go out west with him and I said yes. We leave next week.” Tess licked her lips. “So, Jacob, this is our official week’s notice.”

  He nodded, his suspicions seemingly confirmed. Olivia met his gaze, miffed by his calmness. He offered an understanding smile before averting his eyes. Apparently he didn’t want to see her cry.

  Tears slid down Olivia’s cheeks.