Chapter Text
Getting together with her friends to watch big soccer games like El Clasico was one of the traditions from college that Kelley loved. Luckily they had been able to maintain that tradition after college.
“Why did you agree to dog sit for your neighbor?” asked Ali from the kitchen while she grabbed a beer.
“Because she’s having dinner with her boyfriend at her place and the dog always growls at him. I guess it gets annoying after a while” answered Kelley casually, more interested in her bag of Skittles. She had honestly forgotten that her friends were coming over when she had agreed to dog sit.
“Wait, is this your hot neighbor’s dog?”
After Ashlyn’s questions everyone stared at Kelley who blushed and looked down at the golden retriever that was currently resting his head on her lap.
“What hot neighbor?” inquired Alex before plopping down on the couch next to Tobin.
“She lives in the same floor. Tall, blue eyes, very serious looking.” answered Ashlyn immediately, before Kelley had a chance to deflect the question.
“Her name is Hope and yes she’s pretty but I don’t see why this is such a big deal. I just wanted to spend some time with my buddy Leo.” The dog seemed to recognize his name and tried to lick Kelley’s face.
“No reason,” Alex shrugged innocently but she couldn’t stop smirking. “KO has a crush,” muttered Sydney loud enough for everyone to hear. Kelley hurled a cushion at her face. Everyone else laughed.
“The game is about to start” said Tobin who had stay quiet while the others teased Kelley. Last week she met Hope briefly when she stopped by Kelley’s place to borrow surfboard wax and had definitely noticed the effect the older woman has on her best friend. But she decided to not share her knowledge with the rest of the group.
Once the game started everyone’s full attention was on the TV. They were all Barca’s fans so there were no fights. It was a different story whenever Man U plays Arsenal though.
The game ended with a 3-1 win and the girls still in an adrenaline rush didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go home. Sydney started telling a story about Dom and Boss that had the rest laughing hysterically. In the middle of all the laughing and yelling Kelley tried to casually look at her watch but Alex noticed.
An hour later the girls started to clean up. But then the doorbell rang and all movement stopped. Alex was the closest one to the door and opened it before Kelley had time to react.
“You must be Hope” was Alex’s greeting to the woman outside who matched Ashlyn’s description perfectly. Hope nodded clearly confused. She looked past Alex and made eye contact with Kelley who smiled and rushed over nervously.
“Hi! You’re here early. Leo is in my room, I think we were being too loud for him. I’ll get him.”
Kelley walked to her bedroom like a woman on a mission but that doesn’t stop her from noticing that all her friends are being extremely obvious with their staring. Once she opens the door the dog comes running out straight to his owner who kneels down to greet her pet. Hope is gorgeous but the one thing that really caught Kelley’s attention was how loving and gentle she was with the golden retriever.
“Thanks again for this, I owe you one.”
“It’s ok really. Leo is such a great dog, I’d be happy to have him over anytime.” Kelley tries to dismiss Hope’s words and the way the older woman’s smile makes her feel
You’re sweet,” responds Hope still petting Leo, “but it won’t be necessary though I called it off with my boyfriend.”
“Oh” is all Kelley can say. She wants to ask what happened but she doesn’t want to be too nosy. Also, she is having a hard time trying to act sympathetic when she really wants to smile.
Hope catches Kelley’s reaction to her breakup and she stands, towering over Kelley. She looks behind the freckly woman and notices they have an enthralled audience.
“I should get going. Bye Kelley.” Hope waves to the girls in the living room shamelessly watching the interaction and leaves.
Kelley closes the door and turns around. There are five pairs of eyes looking expectantly at her.
“You should’ve asked her out.”
“Shut up Ashlyn.”