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The team carriedSloane’s instructions out to the letter, and by the end of the game, they ran out 4-3 winners. Layla scored the equaliser, much to the delight of her parents who were in the stands. When Nat struck the winner, the first people she came to hug were Sloane, Lucy and Ella, stood in a row, jubilant on the touchline.

“I couldn’t have done it without any of you!” she gushed, holding on tight to Lucy at the end. “You’re all boss!” Nat was a true scouser.

When the final whistle blew, Ella couldn’t believe it. Was it Sloane’s words that had done it, or something else? She couldn’t be sure. But this team didn’t know when they were beaten. They were just like her. When Sloane caught Ella’s eye, their gazes locked, and Ella rocked back on her heels. What was this connection they had? It was so inopportune, and yet, it was there. And she wasn’t sure how long she could fight it. Or how long she really wanted to.

Every time she looked at Sloane, she wanted to know her more.

She also wanted to devour her whole.

Minutes later, Sloane finished chatting to Layla’s parents and gave them both a hug, before walking towards Ella, arms outstretched. Hugging was something they’d ordinarily do without thinking. So, Ella did it. But this hug had so much more in it. For now, only the two of them knew that.

When Sloane pulled back, she kept their faces close. “What a second half.”

“What an inspirational half-time talk.”

“It was nothing.”

“It was everything.” Just like this vibe swirling around them. Ella couldn’t avoid it. She knew that Sloane couldn’t either. She stepped back, knowing this wasn’t the time to discuss it. She tried to steady her breathing, but it wasn’t easy. “By the way, the answer’s yes. For Christmas Day. My aunt’s fine with it, so long as I go and see her before New Year.”

Sloane’s grin almost broke her face. With her club bobble hat on, she looked about 12, and like she’d just got the perfect gift. “You’re coming to my cousin’s with me?”

“I can’t leave you waiting for a cab on Christmas Day, can I?”

“You won’t regret it. And thank you.”

Ella held her gaze. “You’re welcome.” She paused. “One condition, though. No big gifts. I don’t have time to shop. If you’re getting me something, just something small. Promise?”

Sloane nodded. “Pinkie swear.”

CHAPTER21

Sloane changed her bedding to her very favourite 400-count Egyptian cotton sheets, along with her fresh, jade-green duvet set. Even if Ella didn’t come back tonight, at least she’d have clean sheets as a Christmas present to herself. But if she did, Sloane wanted to impress.

She’d also spent half an hour changing her outfit already, and when she glanced at her phone, she had to get to Ella’s in 15 minutes. She needed to make a decision. Black suit with a crisp, white button-down for a classic look, or high-waisted beige pants with a casual shirt and blazer? Perhaps a suit was too smart. She didn’t want to turn up at her new family’s house overdressed. Smart-casual was the way to go.

Once dressed, she nodded at herself in the mirror. She hoped her outfit said, ‘friendly and approachable’. Making a good impression today was paramount. Sloane touched up her makeup, added a little more product to her hair, and then grabbed the flowers, wine, and bag of presents she’d carefully wrapped. She’d give Ella her gift when they got back.

She rode the elevator down, flexing her ankle in her white sneakers. It was feeling almost back to normal now. Not good enough for kicking a ball just yet, but she’d get there. Just thinking about that made Sloane conjure the smell of freshly cut grass and damp soil, disrupted as she connected with the ball. She couldn’t wait to get back out there. Damn, she’d missed it.

Thinking about soccer made her think of Nat. She hoped things were going well with her family. Nat had spoken to Sloane and Ella about it a few times in the past couple of months, and she hoped they’d built her confidence to deal with whatever happened. Life could be unkind.

She arrived at Ella’s door, took a deep breath, and knocked. Her heart thumped against her chest as she elongated her neck and concentrated on looking as cool and festive as possible. If she was back home now, there would be pressure to go to church. There was none of that here. Another tick in the box for the UK.

Another key reason appeared now, as Ella opened her front door.

Sloane sucked in a huge breath.

“You look…” She reached for the next word, but all her attention was swallowed up processing Ella’s beauty. Life was definitely not being unkind to Sloane. “You look gorgeous,” Sloane eventually clarified. It was the truth, and she wasn’t sorry she uttered it. Ella’s fitted plum pants and simple white shirt were perfect, as was her grey jacket to top it off. The buttons on her shirt were just tight enough to make you look. Sloane wanted to reach out, pop a couple open and lick Ella’s cleavage.

She blinked.

Those thoughts were not safe. Not yet, anyway.

However, Ella’s clothes were just the outer shell. Her face glowed with something Sloane couldn’t quite pin down. Her earrings caught the light, as if Ella was some sort of heaven-sent angel. Her eyes shone, beautiful and bronzed.

They took Sloane’s breath away.

Ella ran her gaze up and down Sloane’s body. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”