Finn looked away. “How was I supposed to know she was married to one of their forwards?”
“I’d think the fact that she was wearing a Moons jersey would be a dead giveaway.”
“I guess I thought I was charming enough to help her see the error of her ways.”
They both laughed and finished off the rest of their drinks. Finn lifted his hand to get the waitress’ attention. “Can we get another round?”
She smiled and gave him a thumbs up. “Sure thing, darling.”
Finn turned his attention back to Silas. “Look, I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Miriam. And if you decide you want to talk about it, I’m here.”
Silas was surprised at just how much those words meant. A month ago, he was sure Finn would have rubbed all of Silas’ mistakes in his face. Now, he was offering up a friendly shoulder to lean on, so to speak. “Thanks, man.”
The waitress dropped off their new drinks.
Finn thanked her, and Silas went to grab the new glass.
A delicate hand beat him to it. “Mind if I take a sip?”
Silas looked up and saw Miriam standing there. She was still wearing the fancy blouse and skirt from earlier, but she’d pulled her hair down from the tight updo. Now, it fell in waves around her shoulders.
She gave him a small smile. “It’s been a long day.”
He had a hard time finding his voice, so he nodded instead.
“Thanks.”
As she took a sip, Silas stole a quick glance at Finn. He looked equally surprised to see Miriam standing beside their table.
Finn stood up with his beer in hand. “I’m gonna go watch the, uh,”—he looked up at one of the TVs on the other side of the room—“Lightning game. See ya.”
Silas watched him walk over to the bar. When he looked back at Miriam, she was pointing at the newly vacant seat. “Can I sit?”
“Of course.” He still couldn’t believe she was here. “How did you know I was at City Bar?”
“I didn’t.” She played with the condensation on the Silas’ drink, which was now resting in front of her. “I just wasn’t ready to go home and thought I’d pop in for a minute.”
“Oh.”
Uncomfortable silence stretched between them. Silas really didn’t want to ask, but it was killing him not to know. “How did the interview go?”
Miriam refused to meet his eyes. “They offered me the job.”
Silas stole his drink back and took a long swallow. “Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“Did you take it?”
Miriam shook her head.
As much as he didn’t want to see Miriam go, he couldn’t understand her turning down such an amazing opportunity. “Why not?”
“Once I got there, I realized it wasn’t what I wanted.”
Silas leaned forward in his seat. “What do you want?” He held his breath as he waited for her answer.
“You.” Her eyes met his. “I want you, Silas Jenkins.”
His heart skipped a beat. Was this really happening? He thought so, but he needed to be sure. “You’re saying you want to be with me?”
“If you still want to be with me, that is.”
His mouth stretched into a wide grin. “If I still want to be with you? I’ve been trying to convince you to take me back even since I stepped foot in Waterfront. Why would I say no now?”
She shook her head. “I walked away from us for the chance at a career change.”
“So did I.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “I know, but it’s different.”
“Of course it’s different. I left for two long years.” Even now, he couldn’t believe what an idiot he’d been. “You were gone barely a day. If anyone has the right to be mad in this situation, it’s you.”
She shook her head. “I’m not mad anymore. I think this whole thing helped me understand you better.”
“Then what’s the problem?” He stood up and walked over to her seat. He rubbed his hands over her arms. “We’ll call it even and move forward.”
She sniffed. “Just like that?”
He leaned forward so their faces were almost touching. “Just like that.”
Miriam closed her eyes and smiled. “I would really love that.”
“Well, I really love you.”
Her eyes popped open. They stared deep into his. “You do?”
“I know I’ve done a pretty terrible job of it. But if you let me, I’d like to spend the rest of my life trying to—”
Miriam’s mouth pressed against his before he could finish telling her all the ways he planned to prove his love.
It was okay though. Silas liked proving that he loved her this way too. He smiled against her lips as he kissed her back.
Miriam
Miriam cupped her hands over her mouth and leaned over the board separating the soccer field from the box seats. “Let’s go, Storm!”
The game had just started, and Silas was already driving the ball down the field toward the other team’s goal. As they got close to the goal, he passed to Cardosa.
“Hey,” a cheery voice said from beside her.
Miriam turned to see Finn’s younger sister standing beside her. It was always fun watching games with Emmeline. She was one of the only other girls who was as Storm-obsessed as she was, and they always cheered loudly together—though this was the first game she’d been to all season.
“Where have you been? I’ve missed you.”
“No you haven’t.” She tipped her head at the field causing her red ponytail to sway. “Finn told me you’ve been pretty occupied with pretty boy out there.”
Miriam blushed and turned to the field just in time to see Silas running by. He turned and winked at her.
She was going to kill him. They were playing a really good team that night, so there wasn’t any time to make faces at his girlfriend. She smacked her hand against the board. “Keep your eye on the ball, Jenkins!”
Emmeline giggled beside her. “Just like old times.”
Miriam smiled as she continued to watch both teams struggle to keep possession of the ball. It wasn’t just like old times.
Silas
