19

Nova: Ugh. My Uber driver is playing soft jazz. I feel like I’m being transported to a dentist appointment.

Luca: This traffic is horrible—I’ve moved 4 feet in 10 minutes. Think I’ve aged 90 years…

Nova: Well the good news is, you had an awesome game tonight. Are you sore??

Luca: Not any more than usual.

Nova: Glad you’re not in pieces. You slammed into Graziano so hard I felt it in the stands.

Luca: All part of the job.

Nova: Part of the job, huh? So what’s my job tonight?

Luca: Depends. You applying to be my post-game massage therapist?

Nova: Does that job come with benefits?

Luca: You asking about a 401k and dental insurance—or what I’m planning to do to you on my couch?

Nova: Oh the things you could do on the couch, starting with a foot rub…

Luca: Wait. Whose feet? Mine or yours…

Nova: I mean, I was on mine most of the game, cheering…

Luca: You saying you deserve to be pampered?

Nova: That’s exactly what I’m saying. Preferably with strong hands and zero distractions.

Luca: Oh, sweetheart—if my hands are on you, there would be nothing distracting me.

Nova: Are we forgetting you said “on the couch”? The couch is PUBLIC territory. Anyone could walk in!

Luca: Public?? It’s MY couch exclamation point exclamation point

Nova: lol are you using talk to text?

Luca: Yes ha ha.

Nova: So wait. You have ROOMMATES! TWO of them.

Luca: Good point. Whoops. Crisis averted.

Luca: I can do unspeakable things to you on my bed though if you ask nicely.

Nova: I have to ask nicely? What if I don’t?

Luca: Guess I’ll have to convince you to beg…

Nova: Beg?! Ha! Pfft. You think I’d beg?

Luca: You have. When I had my face between your?—

Nova: SIR! Are you trying to get me to combust in this Uber?!?

Luca: Yes, ma’am.

Nova: Maybe I should go home and light myself on fire. Might be safer.

Luca: Nah. You’re safer with me… after I ruin you. I want to finish what I started with Mavis.

Nova: LUCA.

Luca: What? Mavis is the real MVP.

Luca: All I’m saying is—be ready. I’m still full of adrenaline.

Nova: She’s literally BLUSHING right now and let me tell you…she never does that. This is a first.

Luca: As the president of her fan club, I plan to get her nice and warmed up tonight.

Nova: She is fully invested in seeing you again.

Luca: Good. I’m gonna take very good care of her. Just me. Sweaty. Shirtless. Already picturing your thighs around my head.

Nova: Dang. Pulling into your community—I didn’t realize you lived in an actual house. I thought I’d be going to an apartment.

Luca: Nope, I have a house. Better investment…

Nova: Why did I assume you did?

Luca: Don’t know.

Nova: Okay. Well I’m here.

Luca: Beat you here. See you in 2.