Page 11 of Full Court Crush

“Oh, I, er, I walked.”

“Are you local?”

“Something like that.” Keira’s smile was wry.

“I’m parked in the multi-story a couple of streets over. I could give you a lift home, if you like?”

When that stopped Keira in her tracks, hand already on the door handle, Amelia doubled down.

“Look, it’s getting dark, and honestly, you’d be doing me a favour. I’d just worry otherwise.”

Keira hesitated before responding. Amelia held her breath.

“Okay. Thanks” Keira smiled as she opened the front door of the restaurant and waved Amelia through in front of her. “Lead the way.”

People filled the street, some looked to be letting off steam after a long week, chatting with friends. Others walked with purpose, heads down, work uniforms visible in the dim light. The warm lighting from the businesses that lined the street spilled onto the pavement, painting it amber.

“I’m this way,” Amelia said, indicating to the right. Keira quickly fell into step beside her. Amelia swore she sensed Keira’s gaze lingering on her more than once.

“So, uh, how’re you finding being back?” Amelia asked, breaking the silence.

“Hmm?”

“In Wales. You’ve just got back from America, right?”

“Right. Yeah, it’s good.” Keira responded, eyes still forward.

They lapsed into silence again. Amelia wondered if she’d imagined the electricity of their hands touching.

What am I doing?

Amelia swallowed down her embarrassment. She’d kept a seat empty next to her. She’d practically stalked Keira out of the restaurant. All for a feeling that she was certain was one-sided, and equally certain would be a terrible idea to act on if it wasn’t.

A group of young men burst out of the kebab shop on their right, and warm hands suddenly enveloped Amelia’s shoulders and moved her out of their path; the men would have tumbled straight into her. Their gazes locked, and suddenly, the rest of the street melted away. The grip that had moved her out of harm’s way became gentle, and Amelia had the irrational urge to lean into it.

“Are you okay?” Keira asked softly.

“Yeah, thanks.” Amelia laughed, still not breaking eye contact. “The perils of going out on a Friday night.”

“At least I kept you upright this time.” Keira smirked, eyebrow raised. Amelia swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. For a few moments, it was just the two of them, standing under the night sky. The rest of the world tumbled back in when Keira removed her hands. Amelia missed their warmth immediately. Keira cleared her throat. Amelia mentally shook herself before continuing to lead them down the street, fighting to keep a smile off her face.

It didn’t take them long to reach Amelia’s car, and she suddenly wished she had taken it to get cleaned before coming this evening. Her work bag had spilled on the drive over, and clothing, an odd sock, and a rogue cereal bar sat on the back seat. Amelia was half tempted to wipe away the non-existent dirt on the passenger seat before Keira sat down. The confines of the car immediately reminded her of their intimate proximity in Coach Grant’s office.

This might be a long journey.

She clicked her seatbelt into place, started the engine, and opened the maps on her display.

“Where are we going?”

“If you could drop me by Howard Gardens, that’d be great.”

Amelia nodded, set the destination, and then set off. Most of the cars on the road were the plethora of taxis ferrying people into the city centre to start their weekend. Amelia stopped at a set of traffic lights and used the opportunity to glance at her passenger. The way the streetlights illuminated Keira’s face gave her profile a slight glow, and accentuated the curve of her lips. Keira stared pensively out of the passenger window, elbow on the door and chin resting in her hand, seemingly in a world of her own. When the lights changed, Amelia continued driving, still stealing glances when she could.

“So, you’re a doctor, huh? What made you want to do medicine?”

Amelia jumped, realising Keira was looking right at her.

“It kind of runs in the family,” Amelia said wryly. “But mainly, I want to help people. Children, specifically. I work in paediatrics.”