The library was peaceful, the soft hum of pages turning and distant whispers creating a soothing background noise. Dahlia and Carla sat at their usual corner table, books spread out before them, though their conversation had long drifted away from their studies.
Dahlia sighed, running a hand through her curly hair. “We haven’t talked about it, you know. Not once. Since that moment when Paige kissed me behind the ear… we’ve been avoiding it the entire practice.”
Carla leaned back in her chair, giving Dahlia a sympathetic smile. “So, you’re just pretending it never happened? That doesn’t sound like you, Dahl.”
Dahlia shrugged, her gaze flicking to the window. “It’s not that I want to avoid it, but… I don’t know what to say. What if it meant nothing to her?”
Carla snorted. “Oh, please. You saw how she looks at you, right? Trust me, it meant something.”
Dahlia smiled a little, but her nerves were still gnawing at her. Before she could respond, Carla smoothly shifted the conversation. “Anyway, what’s up with Sadie? How’s she doing?”
Dahlia brightened at the mention of her daughter. “She’s great. Full of energy, as always. My grandparents are coming to visit soon, so she’s been talking about them non-stop. They’re coming all the way from Iowa. Sadie’s super excited.”
Carla was about to respond when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone approaching. She turned just in time to see Nika Mühl, grinning broadly, with her hands shoved casually in her pockets. Nika had been browsing the psychology section but seemed to have found something much more interesting: Carla.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Nika said teasingly, winking at Carla before shifting her gaze to Dahlia. “Finally, I get to talk to you alone, Dahlia. I’ve been meaning to ask you for a favor.”
Dahlia raised her eyebrows, intrigued. “What kind of favor?” she asked with a smile.
Nika slid into the seat beside Carla, leaning in conspiratorially. “Paige’s birthday is coming up in a few days. Azzi, me, and the rest of the UConn girls are planning a surprise party for her. But we need someone to keep her distracted for the whole day so we can set everything up without her getting suspicious.”
Dahlia blinked in surprise. “You want me to distract Paige?”
Nika nodded eagerly, giving Dahlia her best puppy dog eyes. “You and Sadie. Please? You’re the only one who can pull it off without making Paige suspicious.”
Dahlia sighed, already feeling herself caving. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Nika’s face lit up with excitement, and she clapped her hands together. “Yes! Thank you! Paige is going to love it, and she’ll have no idea what’s coming.”
The conversation shifted, and Nika’s grin turned mischievous again as she asked, “By the way, are you two going to the basketball team’s tipoff party tonight?”
Dahlia opened her mouth to decline, but Carla cut her off smoothly, “Of course, we’ll be there.”
Dahlia shot Carla a surprised look, and Nika silently celebrated, her eyes sparkling. “Great! Paige is going to be so happy to see you, Dahlia. And you too, Carla,” she added, turning to Carla with a wink. “See you soon, lijepa,” she said in Croatian before standing up and heading out of the library.
The moment Nika was gone, Dahlia turned to Carla with a teasing grin. “Looks like someone has a crush.”
Carla rolled her eyes playfully. “Please, Nika’s just being friendly that's all.”
“Uh-huh,” Dahlia teased, waggling her eyebrows. “Sure, she is.”
Carla chuckled, shaking her head. “Whatever. So, are you going to the party or not?”
“I can’t. I have to look after Sadie,” Dahlia said, but Carla wasn’t having it.
“You know, you could hire a babysitter for one night. You never go out anymore, D. You deserve a night to relax, have fun, and maybe… talk to a certain blonde?” Carla said, her tone suggestive.
Dahlia sighed, knowing Carla was right. “Okay, fine. I’ll go. But only because you’re pushing me into it.”
“Good,” Carla said with a satisfied grin. “You won’t regret it.”
The two of them went back to their books, but Dahlia’s mind wasn’t on studying anymore. She couldn’t stop thinking about Paige—the way she’d kissed behind her ear, the way she’d held her so close, the way her smirk had left Dahlia feeling flustered and confused.
And now, with the tipoff party coming up, she couldn’t help but wonder what might happen next.
Guys this is a boring chapter I know but I wanted some Carla and Nika moment's and I had to add the tipoff party that's recently happened so it makes the plot more interesting, this is a lazy chapter I'm sorry if it's confusing.
XoXo V 💜💜💜
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LOVING DAHLIA ( ᴘᴀɪɢᴇ ʙᴜᴇᴄᴋᴇʀs) (ON HOLD)
FanfictionDahlia Hartley, A 22 year old single mom, she has been independent her whole life even when it comes to her little 4 year old Sadie, But what happens when she meets Uconns star basketball player Paige Bueckers at a local grocery store, will she eith...
