Chapter 28

Warm sunlight streamed through the slightly parted curtains, casting golden rays over Sienna’s face as she stirred in bed. Her dark lashes fluttered open, and for a brief, sweet moment, she forgot where she was, her body still buzzing with the memory of the night before. Her bare legs tangled in the sheets, one hand brushing over the still-warm space beside her.

Then it hit her.

She turned to her side slowly, expecting to find a strong arm still wrapped around her waist, a deep, even breath against her nape-but the space beside her was empty.

Sienna blinked and frowned. The sheets were slightly crumpled, still holding Caitlin’s scent-earthy and clean, a bit like pine and sweat and something uniquely her. Her chest tightened, a small ache blooming as she stared at the spot Caitlin had occupied only hours before.

But in Caitlin’s place lay a surprise.

A beautiful banquet of sunflowers, the bright yellow petals catching the morning light, sat where Caitlin’s head had rested. Next to them was a folded note. Sienna’s breath caught in her throat as she sat up, the sheets slipping off her shoulders as she leaned against the headboard. She picked up the sunflowers first, inhaling their sweet, earthy scent with a soft smile.

“Caitlin is so thoughtful,” she mused, shaking her head fondly. “Didn’t know the tough basketball player could be this romantic.”

With the bouquet balanced carefully on her lap, she unfolded the note, her fingers running gently over the paper. The handwriting was neat, curvy, and unmistakably Caitlin’s.

> Went to gym for an early practice and for a check-up with the trainers. I’ll be back soon. Don’t miss me too much, Sunshine.

– Caitlin

Sienna grinned as a blush crept across her cheeks. “Caitlin is such a softy,” she mumbled to herself, biting her bottom lip. Her heart did a little flip inside her chest.

But as her eyes drifted away from the note, her mind pulled her back to the night before. The heated kiss in Caitlin’s car-God, that kiss. Her entire body flushed at the memory. It hadn’t been sweet or tentative. It had been needy, possessive, and full of something Sienna still didn’t have the words for. The way Caitlin’s mouth moved against hers, slow at first and then hungrier. The way her fingers had gripped Sienna’s hips like she was afraid she might float away. The deep, desperate sounds Caitlin had made in her throat had lodged themselves permanently in Sienna’s memory.

She couldn’t stop thinking about it.

About Caitlin.

She needed to talk to her. Really talk. About what they were now, what that kiss meant, and what they wanted.

Stretching with a yawn, Sienna finally forced herself out of bed. She padded toward the bathroom, her loose tank top slipping slightly off one shoulder, revealing the light mark of Caitlin’s lips from the night before-a kiss on the curve of her shoulderblade.

Her fingers brushed the spot as she smiled to herself.

In the bathroom, she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and pulled her hair into a loose, lazy bun. Then she wandered into the kitchen, still barefoot, pulling out the waffle mix she kept on hand for lazy mornings like this. She brewed a pot of coffee, the rich aroma quickly filling her apartment.

Waffles. Coffee. Sunflowers. A note from Caitlin.

It felt… surreal.

She plated the golden waffles and poured herself a cup, taking a seat at the kitchen island and scrolling through her phone. The usual updates. Sports news. A few texts from Mia and Camden. An alert from her ESPN work group chat. She absently tapped through them until her phone lit up with a call.

Caitlin.

Her lips twitched into a soft smile as she answered. “Morning, Cait.”

“Morning, Sunshine.” Caitlin’s voice was soft, almost shy, and full of warmth. “Um… I’m outside. Could you open the door, baby?”

Sienna froze mid-sip. Her brows furrowed. “Outside where?”

Caitlin chuckled lowly. “I’m outside on your doorstep.”

Without another word, Sienna was already off the stool, phone still pressed to her ear as she padded to the front door. When she opened it, her heart thudded in her chest at the sight before her.

There Caitlin was, in joggers and a yellow Indiana Fever t-shirt, her hair slightly damp from a shower, strands curling adorably around her face. She was smiling, but something in her eyes wasn’t quite right-like a shadow behind the golden flecks.

Sienna pocketed her phone, stepped aside, and let her in with a curious tilt of her head.

As Caitlin stepped in, she sniffed the air dramatically and grinned. “Mmm, something smells good in here.”

“I made breakfast. Waffles and coffee,” Sienna said, following her toward the kitchen.

But before she could take another step, Caitlin spun around and wrapped her arms tightly around Sienna’s waist, pulling her flush against her.

Sienna let out a surprised yelp and grabbed Caitlin’s arms for balance. “Caitlin! What are you-?”

Before the sentence could even leave her mouth, Caitlin silenced her with a kiss.

It was heated and needy, a collision of lips and breath and want. Their mouths moved in sync, tongues sliding and tangling, Caitlin dominating the kiss with raw hunger. Sienna moaned softly into Caitlin’s mouth, her fingers threading into the dark curls at the nape of Caitlin’s neck.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless. Caitlin pressed her forehead to Sienna’s, her hands still gripping her waist, grounding herself.

“You’re back early, Clark,” Sienna murmured, still playing with Caitlin’s hair. “How come?”

Caitlin groaned, dropping her forehead to Sienna’s shoulder and breathing her in. “You smell good, baby…”

Then she sighed.

“I can’t play a few games. I’m out for it,” she whispered, her voice tinged with frustration and vulnerability. “My leg’s been bothering me during practice. Coach sent me to the physical therapist, and after I got checked up, she said I have a quad strain. I won’t be able to play for a while. She already told Coach White, and now I’m sidelined.”

Sienna’s eyes softened. Her arms tightened slightly around Caitlin’s neck as she pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. “Oh, Cait… I’m sorry. That sucks. But you’ll bounce back. You’re Caitlin Clark. You just need rest.”

Caitlin nodded, her lips brushing Sienna’s collarbone. “I got bored watching practice. I didn’t want to be around the noise. So… I came to see you.”

Sienna smiled gently. “Well, you’re always welcome here. Now let’s eat, and maybe… we can have that talk.”

Caitlin pulled back and kissed Sienna’s forehead tenderly. “I would like that, Sunshine. I’ve got so many things to say to you.”

She sat on one of the stools, and Sienna placed a plate in front of her. The silence between them wasn’t awkward-it was full, comfortable. The kind that happens when you know you’re safe with someone. They ate quietly, the sound of forks and soft sips of coffee filling the air.

Then, Caitlin reached over and laced her fingers with Sienna’s.

Sienna looked down at their hands, then back up at Caitlin, who was looking at her like she held the whole world in her eyes.

“I’ve been wanting you for a long time,” Caitlin began, her voice low, vulnerable, shaky. “After that kiss last night, it changed everything for me. It makes me want you more. And not let you go.”

Sienna swallowed hard, her thumb tracing over Caitlin’s knuckles.

“I really… really like you, Sienna. But I guess you already knew that-since our first kiss in the Gainbridge restroom.” She chuckled lightly. “I tried being your friend. God, I tried. But the truth is, I think we were always meant to be something more.”

She took a deep breath, eyes locked on Sienna’s.

“I know you just got out of a relationship with your boyfriend, and I’ve tried to respect that-but baby, I can’t help myself. From the moment I saw you at Gainbridge, right before my game against the Connecticut Sun, when you were standing outside the locker room and asked for that interview… I just knew. Something in me told me you were meant to be mine.

“You charmed your way into my chaotic life. And now I don’t wanna let you go. I wanna be with you.”

Sienna blinked back a sudden rush of tears. Her heart pounded.

“Cait…” she whispered, leaning her forehead against Caitlin’s again. “I’ve never done this before. I’ve never kissed a girl. I’ve never felt this way with anyone. But with you… it’s different. You make me feel different. The butterflies, the giddiness-Joseph never made me feel any of that.”

She exhaled shakily.

“You bring things out of me I didn’t know I had. I really like you too, Caitlin Clark. But I’m afraid. I’m afraid that if I like you too much… I might just fall in love with you. And you might hurt me in the process.”

Caitlin’s eyes softened as she leaned in, kissing her forehead. “I’d never hurt you, baby. I’d rather make you happy than hurt you.”

She paused, her voice trembling with sincerity.

“So please… just give me a chance to love you right, Sienna Callaway. I’ll prove to you that I can treat you better than Joseph ever did.”

Sienna’s lips found hers in a soft, lingering kiss. Gentle. Promise-laden.

And then she whispered against Caitlin’s mouth, “Okay. I’ll give you a chance, Clark. But I want to take it slow.”

Caitlin smiled into the next kiss, harder and deeper this time, her arms curling around Sienna’s waist again. “You. Won’t. Regret. It. Sunshine.”

And in that sun-drenched kitchen, with the smell of coffee in the air and sunflowers smiling in a vase nearby, Sienna believed her. For the first time in a long time, she felt the kind of hope that stayed.

Authors Note :

So my babies are finally making progress and it’s chapter 26 wow I never thought I’d make it this far I was gonna discontinue this book but y’all’s comments motivated me so y’all deserve to continue reading, anyways I’m emotional rn and I’m sorry if this feels lacking, anyways until next time y’all.

XoXo V 💜💜💜