As Zoey peruses the menu, rummaging through the options for dinner, I get to steal ogles. If it’s even possible, my attraction to her has almost tripled since the first time I laid eyes on her. All throughout the concert, I struggled to keep my hands occupied and not on her. I gripped my bottles of beer, pushed my fingers into my pockets, and even tapped my legs, all to avoid touching her. It pissed me the hell off that she didn’t touch me. I expected it during one of the group’s old tracks they covered while sharing their new stuff; I just knew Zo would break and feel the need to express the romance of the song. I was wrong.
She looks good as fuck in short shorts, tall heels and a body suit. Extremely sexy and far more provocative than I’m accustomed to seeing her. When I picked her up, I had to quickly resolve that I don’t exactly know Zoey as well as I used to. She’s evolved in her femininity and expressions of it since getting pregnant with Jordan. What I don’t like is the idea of other fuckers getting the same view I’ve had all night, experiencing the same desires I’ve felt all damn night, although she hasn’t touched me past the kiss on my cheek when I arrived at her door. I’m not used to this.
Zoey always shows affection with her hands. She loves to rub, grip, pat, and caress. It’s in her nature. I’ve seen her do it with Jordan countless times, even occasionally with her parents, but not at all with me tonight. It’s been killing me. It’s one of sundry things I’ve missed about her and had dreaded thoughts of her doing with other men.
“So, what are you in the mood for?”
I look up to find her using her index finger to tap at her top teeth as she continues to study the menu.
“I’m on my in-season diet. I’ll have fish and ask them to hold the butter.”
Her eyes jump from the menu and onto me. “Oh, that’s right. Are you excited about the new season?”
Just then, the waiter comes for our order. We give it to him and as soon as he leaves, Zoey goes back to her question.
“So, you…back to my question. Are you excited?” she inclines into the table, placing her elbows on it, poised to listen.
“I am. I’m extremely excited about my physique at this age. I plan to play my ass off for the league and fans this last year or so.”
“So, it’s true? You are retiring?”
I shrug. “It’s time. Every player’s wish is to bow out at the top of his game. I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid serious injuries, indicative of aging in the league. I don’t want my pride to wane along with my body. It’s time.”
With wide eyes and her mouth set into an “O,” Zoey absorbs my words. I’ve missed this.
“Are you experiencing any anxiety over this? I can’t believe you’re talking retirement. I know I’ve known you for some years, but hearing you talk about this makes me feel old.” She shakes her head. “But you’re not old. My parents are old and they’re not ready to retire. You still look to be in great physical shape to me.”
I can show you better than I can tell you.
She takes a sip of her wine, another penchant of hers developed since getting pregnant. I like it.
“How soon do you plan on doing it?”
“I don’t know. Could be after this season. Could go another. But I damn sure don’t have another three in me.”
“What are you going to do when there are no more practices, long seasons, announcements of Stentiiiiiiin Rogeeeeeers!?” she imitates the announcer roll.
I chuckle at her silly ass. The wine is getting to her; I can tell.
I now rest my elbows on the table. “I’ve set up several investment pools…looking at a few more. It’ll be nice to get your opinion on it. I’d even be willing to invest in Ni?a’s Sweet Cakes.”
Zoey turns red at that. Shit, at least I see I still affect her! Her shoulders rise to her neck, she smiles with tight lips, trying to mask the extent of her amusement.
“Seriously, I would. But we can discuss that at another time. Right now I wanna know what’s up with you.”
Zoey exhales long and hard as she considers my question. She then sits back in her seat.
“A lot.” She takes a nip at her drink, but doesn’t put her glass down. She holds it in one hand as she uses her other arm to cross her stomach. “I have a wonderful opportunity to expand the bakery to a New York location, right in Brooklyn. The rent is low—well, low for NYC—the physical location is pretty decent, and the site was a bakery previous and comes with a few ovens and a sink we can use refurbished.”