Her and the Basketball Champion

chapter 49

Jonas

I stare. That's all I can do as I take in the woman in front of me.

She hasn't changed one bit, except for the fact that she's become impossibly more beautiful.

Those same deep chocolate eyes pull me in, lips open in equal shock.

She looks smart in her black blazer and work trousers, making her more put together and stronger.

I don't dare move from my place in case I ruin the moment we're in. I could stare at her all day.

Her eyes similarly take me in, slowly raking her gaze up and down my body before resting permanently on my face, roaming her eyes across every crevice like she's trying to memorise what I look like.

I do the same.

In fact, every day since the last time I saw her, her face has been as clear as day in my head, plaguing my thoughts 24/7. When I woke up in the morning, she would be the first person I thought of. Everyday the longing to see her and be with her has only increased.

I think all that ogling I did actually paid off, because as soon as I laid my eyes on her, it was like she had always been there.

The word spills out of my mouth before my brain can comprehend it. "Eliza." I whisper her name, certain that I'm the only one who heard it, but by the way her eyes focus again and she slowly steps out of the elevator, I know she heard me.

Her soft voice buzzes throughout my entire body and my heartbeat speeds up at hearing her speak. "Jonas." The way my name rolls off of her tongue makes the heat in my body reach to almost a burning sensation. I welcome it and allow it to consume me.

My gaze follows her movements out of the elevator. I'm scared to lose sight of her again in case she disappears.

A throat behind me clears and I frown, hesitantly turning to look at who disrupted us.

When my eyes settle on the familiar head of blonde hair, I remember why I'm here in the first place. Alex stands with his hands casually in his pockets, leaning against the wall next to the elevator doors. Confusion is written all across his face, but there's still a small smirk threatening to break out.

We look at each other, and an understanding look passes between us.

He's the only one I've told about Eliza and every thing I felt, or more like still feel about her, he knows. He's my partner in the business and my closest friend since I quit the basketball team. I knew it wasn't really going anywhere and it didn't feel right anymore, so I left. I do still play in my free time because I love it, but just not the same as I used to.

Alex walks into the elevator and still, no words come out of my mouth as I follow him in. My eyes stay glued to Eliza as she watches us.

I want to reach out and say something, but I can't. I don't know what to say. I'm stunned.

Alex presses the button for the forty sixth floor and then the doors are closing, Eliza's body disappearing behind the metal box.

I don't speak the the whole ride up, my thoughts are running wild with what I should do.

All I want is to run back out there and kiss her until she can't walk anymore, but that's not a possibility. It never was.

"That's her isn't it?" Alex's voice carries through the elevator as we near the top.

I break out of my reverie and turn to look at him. There's a concerned look on his face as he's waiting for my response, and I nod my head, composing myself before replying. "It is." I say. I'm still stunned, and I think my voice betrays some of that when I speak, because Alex continues to stare at me, but thankfully he doesn't speak, and I revel in the silence surrounding us.