Since Alessia moved into her new house in North London, several days have passed. Training sessions at Arsenal have resumed after the summer break, and Alessia has seamlessly integrated herself into the team, along with other new arrivals. Lotte wasn't surprised by this at all. Alessia is a kind and outgoing woman with a great sense of humor, and she is an incredibly talented footballer. Naturally, Alessia quickly forged connections with her teammates both on and off the pitch.
Lotte had grown accustomed to the presence of the admittedly still beautiful blonde woman, or rather, she had to get used to it. They were both on the same team, a team that was very close-knit, and Lotte was good friends with both the English girls, Leah and Beth, just like Alessia. In that sense, it was inevitable that they would occasionally sit at the same table during lunch or be in the same training group, but their interaction didn't extend much further than that—and in Lotte's opinion, that was perfectly fine, she could deal with their situation being like this.
She had managed to maintain a professional demeanor and treat Alessia with kindness. It seemed that Alessia, too, understood that there couldn't be anything more between them except for friendly and superficial contact. Beyond friendly smiles and small talk, there was no further exchange. In their last meaningful conversation after helping Alessia with her move, Lotte had asked for some time to process everything – perhaps Alessia would give her that now, or maybe she no longer cared about the situation. To be honest, Lotte didn't really know which option she preferred after all.
What Lotte definitely didn't particularly prefer was the fact that she would be seeing Alessia again tonight at the team's first party, this time in a social context. The past few weeks of intense training had been challenging, so the girls were eagerly anticipating a chance to unwind and enjoy themselves once more. Leah, who was well-acquainted with London's party scene, had made arrangements for a table at a trendy bar, with the option to continue the festivities at the adjacent club if they were in the mood.
Before setting off that evening, Lotte took a final moment to ensure her outfit was just right. Leah had stressed the importance of adhering to a chic dress code, so Lotte hoped her choice of dark blue trousers and a fitted waistcoat would meet the mark. With her hair flowing in effortless waves, she felt both comfortable and attractive as she entered the bar a few minutes later, her eyes scanning the room in search of her teammates. Naturally, her attention was immediately drawn to a familiar sight: the cascade of blonde hair that always seemed to captivate her gaze, no matter how hard she tried to resist.
With an inward sigh, Lotte made her way to the table where Alessia and their other teammates were seated. "Lotte!" Beth exclaimed, rising from her seat to embrace her in a warm greeting. One by one, the others followed suit, each looking fantastic. But as Alessia stood up, a momentary glitch occurred in Lotte's brain. The blonde woman appeared uncertain, unsure of how to greet Lotte outside of their usual training context. However, before Lotte could process it fully, she felt an arm wrap around her neck, leaving her momentarily overwhelmed. It had been a while since she had touched Alessia, and she hoped that none of their national team or Arsenal teammates had noticed. Feeling Alessia's proximity stirred something in Lotte's stomach, something she would rather not feel. "Lotte, you look amazing," Alessia whispered in her ear, with a soft undertone and a hint of uncertainty. Lotte's stomach did somersaults again, and all she managed to say was a hurried "Thank you," with the urgent thought that she needed to break the closeness between them, even if it was just a simple embrace.
But as she pulled away, her eyes involuntarily traced the contours of Alessia's figure. Alessia was dressed in a black dress with strategically placed cutouts, exposing glimpses of her shoulders and midriff that immediately captivated Lotte's attention. Would her skin still feel as soft as it has felt that one night in July that they had spent together? Quickly, Lotte dismissed the thought. She would never find out. What she needed to figure out, however, was how to get through the evening with the gorgeous woman in front of her without losing her mind. The only idea that came to her mind was to turn to her teammates and ask, "What would you like to drink? I'll get the next round!"
Whether alcohol was the best plan, Lotte wasn't sure in first place, but after taking her teammates' orders, she had to admit that the plan seemed to be heading for failure. As she was about to make her way to the bar, she heard a familiar voice behind her, "Wait, I'll come with you. You can't handle all of that with just two hands." Lotte's heart sank. Damn it. Alessia followed her without being asked. On her high heels, she stood several inches taller than Lotte, and she couldn't help but admire Alessia's long and stunning legs even more intensely. The way she carried herself exuded confidence and grace, making it even harder for Lotte to resist her allure.
Lotte and Alessia arrived at the bar, and as Lotte cleared her throat to order the drinks, she couldn't help but feel nervous and unsure about being alone with Alessia. Should she engage in small talk with her or simply try to ignore her presence? She focused her gaze on the drinks being expertly mixed, attempting to block out the woman standing beside her. But it wasn't as easy as she had hoped.
"So, Lotte, I've been thinking... would you like to meet up sometime to talk?" Alessia's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of uncertainty. Lotte felt a rush of conflicting emotions, unsure of how to respond. Alessia's words revealed her vulnerability and the depth of her feelings. "I don't want to pressure you, but you mean a lot to me. I want you to know that."
Lotte stood there, still grappling with her emotions regarding Alessia's proposition, as the bartender placed the drinks on the counter. "Here are your drinks," he said, setting them down in front of Lotte. "And what can I get for the lovely lady here?" His gaze then shifted to Alessia, his friendly expression bordering on something more. It was a bit too friendly for Lotte's liking. She couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy coursing through her veins as she observed Alessia's reaction. Alessia turned her head, clearly taken aback by the bartender's attention, her mind seemingly elsewhere. "Uh, I'm taken care of, thank you," Alessia responded, her words reflecting her usual kindness. But as soon as she spoke, her gaze turned back to Lotte, her eyes nervously scanning Lotte's face for any sign of reaction.
But the bartender didn't give up. "Then you'll get a second one on the house, I'll make you one of my special drinks," the man smiled back, clearly not ready to let Alessia go without a comment. "Really, I insist," he emphasized again, flirtingly smiling at Alessia, causing Lotte to roll her eyes immediately. Alessia seemed stunned and didn't say anything more as the man started to mix her a drink. Suddenly, Lotte remembered all the similar scenes that had played out in college - Alessia was an attractive woman, and men liked to flirt with her. It was not uncommon for her to be approached like this. However, Lotte couldn't bear to witness it; she just couldn't. "I'll go over to the others," Lotte said, grabbing any drinks she could reach. Away from here, away from Alessia and her admirers. "Lotte," she heard Alessia's voice behind her. "Wait!" But Lotte didn't wait, why would she?
"Wow, Alessia sure has quite a fan club of men," Beth chuckled as Lotte returned to the table, stealing a quick glance in Alessia's direction. "It's surprising she hasn't managed to find herself a boyfriend," Leah added, joining in the laughter. Lotte let out an internal sigh, feeling tired of the ongoing conversations about Alessia. She resisted the temptation to look back at the bar, where Alessia was likely engaged in who knows what with the bartender.
As Alessia returned to the table shortly after with a tray of well-crafted cocktails and the remaining drinks, Leah couldn't help but tease her, "Where did you get that cocktail from?" The others joined in the laughter, enjoying the lighthearted moment. However, Alessia's discomfort was evident, her face repeatedly turning red. "Come on, guys, just drop it. I really have no interest," she pleaded, hoping they would let the subject go. Still, Lotte felt no sympathy for her as the others continued to push the issue. "Give him a chance, Less! You've been single for ages!" Beth chimed in, adding to the pressure. Though she could sense Alessia attempting to make eye contact, Lotte skillfully ignored her, taking a sip of her drink and hoping that the alcohol would alleviate the situation and numb her feelings. Such statements were all too familiar to Lotte, reminiscent of their college days. Memories from the past threatened to resurface, but this time, Lotte was determined to stay grounded in reality. She couldn't continue dwelling on the past and neglecting the present.
However, when the bartender arrived with a tray full of shots, receiving cheers and applause from the group, it became overwhelming for Lotte. In a spur of the moment decision, she quickly grabbed another shot from the tray and made an announcement to the group with a forced smile, "I'm heading to the club." Whether the others even noticed or cared, she wasn't sure, but at that moment, it didn't matter. Despite her mood not being particularly inclined for dancing, Lotte craved a change of scenery. She needed to distance herself from Alessia, the painful memories of being in love with her in college, and the lingering fear that there might still be some unresolved feelings on her side.
As she arrived at the club, Lotte found herself standing alone on the side, feeling somewhat out of place. Yet, the distance from Alessia provided some relief. The pounding music filled the air, overwhelming her senses, but she had no desire to join the dancing crowd. She observed her surroundings, searching for a distraction from her thoughts. And then, her eyes locked with a woman who was beaming at her from across the room, radiating a flirtatious energy.
Intrigued by the woman's smile, Lotte couldn't resist returning it, allowing a flicker of curiosity to ignite within her. The woman began to make her way toward Lotte, navigating through the bustling crowd with an effortless grace. Lotte's heart raced, realizing that she was about to embark on a new encounter, one that would momentarily free her from the complexities of her situation with Alessia.
As the woman approached, she leaned in closer, her voice barely audible over the music. "Care to join me on the dance floor?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Lotte's face lit up with a mixture of excitement and relief. This was the exact kind of diversion she needed from the tangled web of emotions surrounding Alessia.
Without hesitation, Lotte nodded and reached out to take the woman's offered hand. They maneuvered through the crowd, their bodies occasionally brushing against each other, sending electric currents through Lotte's veins. The pulsating beats enveloped them as they reached the center of the dance floor, and they surrendered themselves to the rhythm, moving together in perfect synchrony.
In this moment, Lotte's worries and thoughts about Alessia melted away, overshadowed by the intoxicating allure of the music and the connection she felt with this new companion. The woman's touch sent shivers of excitement through her, and the chemistry between them was palpable. Their bodies moved in harmony, their movements becoming a language of their own.
As the night progressed and the music swelled around them, their dance evolved into something more intimate. Their bodies pressed against each other, their breaths mingling in the dimly lit space. Lotte could feel the heat radiating from the woman's skin, igniting a fire within her. The anticipation grew, their eyes locked in a mesmerizing gaze, and in that charged moment, they were on the verge of sharing a passionate kiss.
But just as their lips were about to meet, Lotte felt warm and strong hands enveloping her from behind, pulling her gently but firmly away from the captivating stranger. The touch sent a shiver of surprise and familiarity down her spine, instantly recognizing the touch as Alessia's. Lotte's breath caught in her throat as Alessia's embrace tightened around her, her body pressed against Lotte's back. The scent of Alessia's perfume filled the air, a familiar and comforting fragrance that brought back a flood of memories. It was a touch that held both reassurance and a hint of possessiveness, leaving Lotte simultaneously longing for more and yearning for distance.
Alessia's voice, a delicate balance of urgency and vulnerability, whispered near Lotte's ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine. "Please, don't," Alessia pleaded, her words weighted with unspoken emotions, a plea to safeguard the connection they shared and to evade any potential heartbreak. "I want to dance with you," she added, a trace of determination underlying her words.
Overwhelmed by the directness of Alessia's words, Lotte stood there, her mind racing, searching for the right response amidst the chaotic atmosphere of the bustling club. The cacophony of music and conversations filled the air, but in that moment, everything seemed to fade away as she turned around to meet Alessia's radiant and pleading eyes.
"I'm here for you, and I've made that clear to the bartender too, just so you know," Alessia's voice rang through Lotte's ears, her words filled with a mix of sincerity and vulnerability. The weight of unspoken emotions lingered in the space between them, a plea to protect what they had and to avoid something like potential heartache. The raw honesty in Alessia's request resonated deeply within Lotte's heart.
Lotte's emotions were in turmoil as Alessia's hands glided along her arms, their touch sending a jolt of electricity through her body. The gentle yet purposeful pull brought them closer together, and a shiver ran down Lotte's spine, a tangible sign of the intense connection between them. It was as if the Alessia standing before her now was a changed woman in comparison to the Alessia whom Lotte has known back in college, exuding a newfound confidence and unapologetically making her desires known.
Yet, there was one thing Lotte wanted to know above all else, and as her hand instinctively reached out to trace the exposed skin revealed by the cutouts in Alessia's dress, she realized that her skin was still as soft as it had been years ago, back in that for her unforgettable night in July.
In that fleeting moment, Lotte's doubts and uncertainties momentarily faded away. The magnetic pull between them was undeniable, drawing them closer in an irresistible dance of emotions. Their eyes locked, and the unspoken understanding between them seemed to bridge the gap that had been growing between them.
As she stood there, caught between the echoes of the past and the possibility of a new beginning, Lotte felt a surge of determination. Maybe it was truly time to give Alessia another chance, to embrace the unknown and have an honest conversation about their situation. Perhaps it was even time to leave the college memories behind and create new ones.