Lean on Me || Jill Roord

12. Dinner... Date

"Caroline?" Jill's head turned to me, a look of curiousness on her face.

"Yes Jill?" I replied from next to her. I took this as a chance to shamelessly take in her features; I'm sure she noticed, but she didn't say much. Instead, she went quiet, which caused me to raise an eyebrow in sort of confusion. Had I been hearing things when my name was called?

"What time does your physical therapy end on Friday?" Jill's eyes found mine as she asked her question, though I broke eye contact when I squinted and looked forward. I racked my tired brain for the answer.

"Three I believe." Finally responding once the answer had appeared in my head. "Why do you ask?" This seemed to silence Jill and place her into a zoned-out state. I fought the soft smile that played on my lips. I was curious though as to why she had asked, so I lightly smacked her knee as we were sitting fairly close together on the couch.

Jill jumped in response, and I laughed when she frowned at me. Jill and I had always had a soft banter between us, whether it be teasing, smacking each other lightly, or whatnot. I loved it really; it reminded me of Kyra and I's relationship. Which also reminded me that I was headed to London next week to do a shoot with Kyra, and I could not wait. I hadn't seen her in a while since I didn't attend the Arsenal vs. Man City game; I was bummed to say the least.

"Sorry, uh." Jill trailed off, and I frowned again. She caught a glimpse of this, and her eyes widened. "Sorry Caroline, I um... Are you up to going out to dinner on Friday?

Her question lingered in the air as it was my turn to zone out and think about what she had just asked me. Was this a date? Was this casual? I wasn't sure.

"Jill."

"Yes?" She hummed, seemingly awaiting my response as she mindlessly played with the rings on her fingers.

"Are you asking me on a date?" I asked slightly amused that she was worried I'd say no. I would never turn down spending time with Jill.

"Maybe?" She replied quietly.

"Maybe?"

"Okay yes." A genuine smile formed on my lips as I pushed off the couch and practically tackled her on the couch. I placed a kiss on her lips as she laughed at my antics. I wasn't sure how she put up with them, if I'm honest. Pulling away from the kiss, I hovered above her face, staring into her darkened green eyes. "Yes, I'll go on a date with you."

The smile that took over Jill's face was picture-worthy. "Ja?"

"Ja." Jill pulled my head back down, connecting our lips once more.

"Ja." I laughed, mimicking her accent. She would never let me forget that she's Dutch through and through.

"I do not sound like that." She frowned before pushing me off her. I laughed and whined at the loss of contact. The grin that had formed on my face at the beginning of our conversation hadn't left my face.

When my laughter died down, Jill's eyes found mine once again, and I couldn't look away. There were so many emotions running through her eyes that I couldn't read, but I knew she felt the same way about me as I did her. Jill pulled me onto her once more, placing a kiss on the top of my head as we settled on the couch, turning our attention back to the television.

Jill's hand has found its way under my shirt as her traced patterns up and down my back slowly lulling me to sleep.

—

"So you're telling me you almost played at Bayern the same time I was playing at Bayern?" At what age, eighteen years old?" Jill's face had shock written all over it, making me blush slightly.