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God she looks hotter than ever, Xander thought to himself, as he watched Charlotte from across the park, face glistening and bits of hair stuck to the rivulets of sweat that ran down the back of her neck.
The fact that she had shown up at all surprised him. Xander thought she was still angry with him. And hadn't she intended to head back home to Willingden after the weekend? But here she was, streaks of red, yellow, and green streaking her cheek and her tattered T shirt.
He had posted the event on social media--a paintball match in honor of his brother's return home from the big city--out of nostalgia. They had played a lot in their school days. He had never thought to see Charlotte there. And yet, here she was. Playing on Samuel's team, granted, but present nonetheless. Did that mean she had forgiven him?
He crossed the park to talk to her. “Good match.”
“Yes, it was! I had a fun time.”
The conversation stalled awkwardly for a minute as they walked back out past the entrance to the park and a sign reading, Heyrick Park Paintball.
“...I thought you would have returned to Willingden by now.” Xander rallied with the only lame thing he could think of to say.
After a beat, she responded, “I wanted a chance to thank you.”
“Oh you have nothing to thank me for,” he replied, blushing.
“You stepped into a dangerous situation on a subway car and stopped a vile man from harassing my friend Georgiana!”
“That racist a**hole,” he scoffed. “I couldn't have stood by and done nothing. What kind of man would I be?”
“You did my friend a great kindness. I'll forever be grateful.”
They had stopped by the side of the road, staring into each others’ eyes. Xander's eyes traveled down to her soft lips. He could remember the feel of them crushed against his own. Did he dare to ask if he could kiss her? How would she respond?
“Xander!” His brother's shout broke through his reverie and he started. “Come! The pizza stand’s ready!”
What the?… He glanced across the road, where he saw Sam pointing with a goofy grin towards a tall, gawky man operating a food stand. A sign on the stand read, Parker’s Famous Sandy Town Pizza.
He heard a stomach rumbling, and looked back to see Charlotte eyeing the food cart hungrily. Maybe food first and then…?
“Care for a slice?”