Best of the Best

Chapter 2: Green Ranger, Pink Ranger

"So did you see her yesterday?"

Camila swallowed her mouthful of cinnamon bun. "Who?"

Sofi thanked the waitress as she refilled both their coffees, before rolling her eyes at her sister. "You know exactly who I'm talking about. The hot lady."

Camila emptied a sugar packet in her coffee and stirred, keeping her eyes down. "I... I might have."

"Did you show off a little? Take your top off, chug some water, towel off your abs-" She was cut off by Camila's napkin hitting her in the face.

"No! I- I was...doing the splits," she mumbled, stuffing another bite of cinnamon bun in her mouth while Sofi laughed. "I just like the kid okay? He's cute, and I like making him smile."

Sofi raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Just the kid. Not his ridiculously hot mom, and her perfect hair, and sexy legs-"

"Will you stop?" Camila interrupted, again. " Why did I even invite you for brunch, and where's Kelly?"

"She's said she'll be late, and I already told her about hot mom, so if you're hoping for someone to save you from my teasing, you're out of luck."

Camila stacked all their empty plates. "I hate you. I hope you get lost in Ikea today, and you never find your way out. You just wander around passing the same display of duvet covers over and over, and you never get to the end, and you never get your frozen yogurt."

Sofi laughed, and threw Camila's napkin back across the table. "That's rude, but I'm not going to take it personally. I know you're just emotional because we're going to be away today when she walks by."

"The hot lady?" Camila groaned as Kelly gave Sofi a quick kiss, and sat at the empty chair. She took a sip of Sofi's coffee while wagging her eyebrows at Camila. "Heard you got it real bad, superstar."

Camila groaned again. "I don't have it bad. She's just- yeah she's pretty, and-"

"And you wanna kiss her?" Kelly teased. "Get her down on the mats, maybe."

Camila blushed and put her face in her hands. "I'm going to remember this next time we spar."

"I'll just kick you in the head when you're distracted looking out the window," Sofi countered.

"Making kissy faces," Kelly added.

Camila stood up with a huff. "I hope you both get lost in Ikea."

---

"He thinks you're a Power Ranger."

Camila turned around, her key still in the lock, and found herself face to face with the woman she hadn't been able to stop thinking about. The relaxed look must have been reserved for weekends, because it was Monday now and the woman was dressed to kill.

Camila could barely manage to form a sentence. "Umm..Who?"

The woman looked her up and down, making Camila wish she was wearing something a little more presentable than paint spattered sweatpants and t-shirt that was so worn the 't' in taekwondo and the location of whatever tournament she'd got it at, had been erased by one too many spins in the wash.

"My son," the woman stated. "His face and handprints are still visible on your front window. Though he was a little upset you weren't here yesterday."

"Oh," Camila let out, trying to get herself together. "Right, the cute little guy...he thinks I'm a Power Ranger?"

The woman sighed. "Yes, and I have heard about nothing else since he saw you practicing whatever it was you practise-"

"Taekwondo," Camila supplied.

The woman hummed, and Camila could focus on nothing but perfect lips being pressed together.

"The Green Ranger was always my favourite," Camila found herself saying. "He had that cool flute dagger, and like that gold chest shield thingie," she continued, unsure why she was still talking. "And his robot thing was a dragon that came out of the water, and I think he became the White Ranger who had a tiger? Also he got to kiss the Pink Ranger, and I didn't really realize it at the time, but I kinda also wanted to-"

"Kiss the Pink Ranger?" The woman interrupted, smirking. "Is that what we're calling it?"

Camila's eyes widened as her cheeks burned. "That's not- I- I didn't mean it...like that," she stammered.

The woman had the decency to attempt to cover her laughter.

Camila's efforts to compose herself only resulted in more shuffling and blushing. "Umm...is there actually something I can do for you?" She finally managed.

The woman straightened, smoothing a hand down the front of her dress, making it hard for Camila to keep her eyes from wandering. "Sorry, and yes actually there is. My son, Thomas," she started, eyes softening. "He doesn't enjoy meeting new people, but we've been working on it, and much to my surprise he keeps asking if he can meet the Power Ranger."

Camila smiled, her blush abating. "I'd be happy to meet him, and help of course. Maybe I could show him a few things too, if- if that's okay with you."

The woman nodded and returned Camila's smile. "I think that should be okay. Maybe no backflips off of ladders just yet, though."

"That's probably a good idea. I'll be here Saturday again, for sure, if you guys want to come by when you usually do."

The woman reached into her purse. "Thank you, Miss Cabello," she said, pulling out a business card.

Camila's eyebrows shot up at the sound of her name. "How- I never told you my name. Did I? I did ramble for a bit but-"

The woman handed Camila her card. "You didn't, but I have my ways, and my networks do cover the Olympics. See you Saturday, champ." She walked away with a smirk, getting into the back of a car parked at the curb.

Camila stood there, rereading the name on the card, as the car pulled away. Lauren Jauregui, CEO.

"Whoa."