An American Cinderella

“I, uh...” I took a sip of my drink and luckily the players chose that moment to come back out onto the field. I was saved. “Oh, look. They’re back.”

Henry watched me for a moment, the sparkle in his blue eyes telling me that he had an idea of what I was thinking about. The idea that he might have the same idea made my core heat.

Henry continued to teach me about the game. His enthusiasm was infectious. He loved the sport and he loved explaining it to me. His arm stayed wrapped around me, heating me with his touch. I asked him question after question, each time making him smile.

The crowd chanted as the match came to the end. The score was close, but the All Blacks managed to score one last try before time ran out. Henry and I screamed encouragement with the crowd as the final points lit up the score board.

With the game over, the happy crowd started to head out of the stadium. Henry and I sat in our seats, letting the other attendees file out first. It was nice to just sit with him, our hands together and his knee once again pressed up against mine. I noticed that Andre and Valentina were still behind us, apparently waiting the crowd out as well.

“This was really fun,” I said. “Thank you for bringing me.”

“You are most welcome,” he replied with a smile. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad I got to see a peek of your world,” I replied. “Are the games like this in Paradisa?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “This was a major match,” he explained. “Rugby is popular, but not ‘fill a fifty-thousand seat stadium’ popular.”

“Do lots of people come to watch you play?” I asked. Two drunk spectators sang some sort of victory song as they passed us by.

“I think that’s enough about me,” Henry replied. His blue eyes focused far out on the field, his thoughts going elsewhere. He shook himself and turned back to me. “How’s your work going?”

I wondered why he wanted to change the subject, but I wasn’t going to press it. Maybe he didn’t have anyone come watch his games. If that were the case, I would fly out to Paradisa and watch them myself. I put my feet up on the back of the empty seat in front of me.

“It’s good. Boring, but good,” I replied, answering his question. I left it at that. I didn’t want to think about my stepmother and her demands tonight. “What about you?”

“Boring but good,” he repeated back to me. “This has been the highlight of my week.”

“Me too.” I grinned, feeling that happy dizzy feeling in my stomach at being with him. “What are your plans for the rest of the night?”

He shrugged. “I was kind of hoping you’d let me take you out to dinner.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that lit up my face. I was going to have more time with him. “That sounds great. Anywhere in particular?”

“Someplace not too crowded,” he replied. “I think I’ve had my fill of crowds for the day.”

He tugged his hat a little lower as a group of drunk sports fans surged by. A couple seemed to look a longer than necessary at him, but then shrugged and kept going. I figured they were probably just Paradisa Royals fans.

“I actually know this amazing Thai restaurant not too far from here.”

“Thai sounds fantastic,” Henry replied. “Let’s do it.”

“There is a small catch.” I bit my lower lip. It had been a while since I’d been to this restaurant. “The seating is super limited. It’s a to-go kind of place. But, they have the best pad Thai I’ve ever had. Ever.”

“To-go? As in take-out?” He looked thoughtful and then narrowed his eyes playfully. “Are you trying to get me to come back to your place?”

I blushed a deep crimson as I realized that was what it definitely looked like I was doing.

“No, I mean, yes. I mean....” I took a flustered breath. How did he manage to make me lose my head with just a smile? “I mean, if you’d like, we can get the food and go to my place. But, we don’t have to if you don’t want to. We can go someplace else if you want.”

Henry leaned over and kissed my cheek, making my insides heat despite the simplicity of the kiss.