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Sloane held up both her arms above her head and let out a yelp. “I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for myself since my injury. But you coming here and telling me this has inspired me. I’m going to come back stronger from this injury and score more goals in honour of my great-grandmother. Because I get to do this for a living, something she could never have even dreamt of. I owe it to her legacy to make this season my best ever.”

Cathy pointed at Sloane’s boot. “You need to get that off first.”

“I will. A few weeks’ time, every ball I kick is going to be for Eliza.”

“She would approve,” Cathy said. “I just hope the club can survive in the future, too. The past holds great stories and memories. But the club is fighting for its life. If you have any connections who might think about sponsoring the team, that would be so appreciated. We want future generations to have stories like these, too.”

Sloane nodded. “I’ll ask around.”

When her cousin left, Sloane had too much energy racing around her body. The story of her great-gran was a story for the ages. She wanted to run around her flat, to scream it from the rooftops. It was such an incredible story, it had to be shared. Who to share it with, though? The first name to pop into her head? Ella. Sloane grabbed her phone and messaged her.

I just hadthe most incredible meeting with my cousin. She brought me flowers. Do you have a vase I can put them in? I have so much to tell if you’re free later.

She pressed sendand then pulled open the glass doors and walked onto her terrace. Sloane clutched the top of her balcony wall and breathed in the city. The same air her family had been breathing for centuries. She belonged here. Today was the first day she’d truly felt that. If the rest of the season went well, hopefully she could get to know her cousins, too. Optimism flowed through her. This was the new chapter she’d craved after all. She had a new team, new family, new friends.

Her phone beeped. A message from Ella. Sloane clicked on it, smiling. Maybe she could come up and they might even have dinner – or tea – while she told her all about it. Perhaps they might hug again. Even the thought sent waves of hope crashing through her.

I can’t tonight,but I’ll leave a vase outside your door. I can’t stop–I’m off on a date. Marina finally made me swipe right and I got a match.

Sloane’s optimismtook an uppercut to the face.

A date? Ella had mentioned dating in passing. Sloane had even encouraged her. Why the hell had she done that? But apparently, it was happening tonight.

She had no hold over Ella, but then again, wasn’t there something budding between them? Or did Ella only think of her as a friend? But she didn’t believe that for a second. They’d shared too many moments. Too many looks. However, they hadn’t done anything about it. That was the problem.

Now it might be too late.

CHAPTER16

Ella didn’t know what the hell she was doing here. She’d dropped the vase outside Sloane’s door, then scurried away. It had felt weird to send that message to her, and it would feel just as strange to chat to Sloane when she was about to go on a date. Even though they were just friends. Who occasionally hugged and shared intense, breath-taking stares.

Ella was friends with a gorgeous superstar. If Sloane had wanted anything more, she would have acted on it by now.

Hence, she’d caved and arranged a date. If she couldn’t go out with Sloane, she should at least see if she could go out with someone else.

When Ella arrived at the cafe where she’d arranged to meet Minnie for coffee and cake before seeing a movie at a nearby arthouse cinema, her worries only magnified. She’d prefer to be here with Sloane, hearing about her meet-up with her cousin. It sounded like there was a lot to tell. However, Sloane was likely to be gone next year. Which meant that Ella had to live in the real world and see if she could meet someone local. Perhaps someone like Minnie.

When she walked in – it was one of those cafes with local art on the wall and the faint smell of incense in the background – Ella spotted her date right away. It was only as she drew up at the table she noticed her greying hair, the defined lines on her face. How old was that profile photo? Ella would put this woman at closer to 50 than her stated 38. But she was going to give this a chance. She was not ageist.

“Minnie?”

The woman stood and held out a hand. “Ella. Lovely to meet you. Good hair energy!”

Ella frowned. Weird thing to say.

Minnie ran her gaze up and down Ella. “Nice top, too.” If Ella was for sale, Minnie may well have bought her.

Ella hung her coat on a nearby rack, then sat opposite Minnie, guilt weighing on her shoulders. She’d worn one of the new tops Sloane had gifted her, but now that decision felt all wrong. Like she was using Sloane’s generosity against her. She pushed that thought to the back of her mind.

“Can I get you a coffee? Some cake? I waited until you were here to order.”

Ella nodded. “A flat white and whatever cake looks best. Surprise me.”

Minnie nodded, smoothed down her black jumper and walked to the counter.

Ella’s phone pinged, and she got out her phone. A breaking story about women’s football stared back at her. When she clicked, her heart stalled. It was a photo of Sloane and Jess, followed by a photo of Jess and a blonde woman. Ella’s mouth went dry. Was this a story about Sloane being back with Jess and returning to the States? Because if so, it wasn’t the version of her life Sloane had told Ella for the past few weeks.

However, the story was the opposite. The blonde was Jess’s new girlfriend, Britney Navas. The one she’d cheated on Sloane with for months. Their relationship was made official in an Instagram post, which meant it was time for wild speculation and regurgitated photos of Sloane and Jess in happier times. Ella hoped Sloane didn’t have the same alerts set up on her phone. What a strange world she lived in. One where her private life was pored over and commented on by strangers.