The Secret - Alexia Putellas

15.

Thank you Eliza!!!

Erin was anxious. Extremely anxious.

Brow furrowed, the tip of her tongue pressed into the center of her bottom lip, the blonde focuses on her task while she waits for the guest to arrive. She had caught herself staring uselessly at the front door a number of times and decided to distract herself by staying busy, hoping to dispel some of the nervous energy that had built up in the pit of her stomach.

Carefully lining up the edges of one of the linen dinner napkins she had selected for the occasion, the therapist refolds it twice so the edges meet perfectly and then goes over the creases, pinching them firmly between her fingers.

Stepping back, Erin brushes a hand across the surface, making sure no wrinkles had escaped her ironing frenzy earlier.

Satisfied, the blonde returns the napkin to its place on the table and rearranges the silverware, jumping slightly, her hand flying up to her chest, when someone knocks tentatively at the front door behind her. Straightening, her arm falling back to her side, Erin pauses to review the mental check-list she had made as soon as she found out she would be hosting, eyes darting around the living room to confirm nothing was out of place.

The apartment was tidy, most of their dinner already prepared ahead of time, and the table was set.

Everything was ready for Alexia and her guest.

"One moment!", Erin yells, frowning at her shaking hands as she clumsily tucks her shirt into her jeans and then straightens out the fabric, pausing to examine herself in the entryway mirror.

The overly expensive white button down her brother had splurged on for her birthday the previous year still fit well and looked elegant while hugging her curves. Most importantly, it was nice enough that she had been able to pair it with her favorite black skinny jeans without running the risk of the outfit looking too casual or too formal, something she had been worried about since Alexia had refused to tell her who she was bringing.

Wondering if the ensemble was a little too uptight despite her efforts, Erin sighs, decides showing a little more skin wouldn't hurt, and unbuttons the top two buttons before running her fingers loosely through her hair, and turning towards the front door.

"Hola", she whispers, relief flooding her body when she spots Alexia alone outside, holding a bouquet of flowers. At least she would have a few more minutes to pull herself together before the mystery guest arrived.

"Hola, Bonita", Alexia replies, cheeks rosy, her eyes sparkling. Smiling happily, she leans in, brushing her lips against Erin's cheek.

"You look... absolutely stunning", Erin breathes, stepping back to admire the short black dress Alexia had on, her eyes drifting slowly down the athlete's body.

"Gracias, I could say the same about you... Breathtakingly beautiful", Alexia murmurs shyly.

Realizing they had been standing in the doorway grinning goofily at each other without saying anything for several seconds, the blonde jerks forward to take the flowers.

"Thank you, these will look lovely on the table. Where is- ah!", Erin yelps suddenly, feeling something brushing against her ankle, leaping forward to grip onto the midfielder tightly.

Eyes wide, Erin takes a deep breath and peers down tentatively, immediately spotting a small ball of fluff, which was vibrating excitedly at their feet, a pink tongue hanging out of its mouth.

Recovering quickly, she giggles and releases the captain's arm, dropping to her knees to get closer.

"Erin, meet Nala", Alexia mumbles, biting down hard on her lip to keep herself from laughing.