Chapter 21

Caitlin’s Pov :

The smell of garlic and basil filled my apartment as I stirred the pasta sauce, letting the steam rise into the air and cloud my thoughts. Cooking always helped calm me-just me, a pan, and the promise of carbs. I lowered the heat and gave the sauce one last stir, about to taste it, when a knock echoed through the apartment.

I paused, brow furrowed.

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

Wiping my hands on the towel slung over my shoulder, I walked over to the door, cautious but curious. I twisted the knob and pulled it open-and suddenly, the world tilted on its axis.

There she was.

Sienna Callaway.

Wearing a messy bun like it was a crown, sweatpants hanging low on her hips, and a fitted tank top that showed off the elegant lines of her collarbones. She looked cozy and devastatingly gorgeous, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. My eyes betrayed me, trailing down her figure before I could stop them, taking in the soft curve of her waist, the smooth tan of her arms. I swallowed hard.

Then her emerald green eyes met mine-soft, shimmering like sunlight over still water. She smiled, that small, heart-melting smile she always wore when she was nervous.

I smiled too, a little shyly. My voice dropped without my permission.

“Hey, Sunshine. Come in.”

“Hey Cait,” she replied, stepping in. “Sorry for the unexpected visit.”

“It’s alright, Sunshine. Glad to have company,” I said, meaning every word. I gestured for her to follow me back to the kitchen, turning down the heat even more before checking on the pasta.

I didn’t say anything at first. Maybe I was still processing that she was actually here-looking like that, smiling like that, standing in my kitchen like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Sienna took a seat on one of the stools at the counter, legs tucked under her, fingers brushing through the ends of her hair.

Then she started to speak.

“Anyways, I just came to ask if you wanted to go watch the Indiana Colts take on the Atlanta Falcons this weekend,” she said all in one breath, her voice picking up speed. “If you’re busy, it’s fine-I’ll just ask someone else to go, maybe my assistant. It’s just I was supposed to go with Joseph and he said he couldn’t make it, and now I’ve got this extra ticket and I didn’t know what to do with it until I thought of you and how you love watching football, and I also promised Camden I’d be there at his second game of the season. And Mia couldn’t make it either-she has a meeting in New York-so, Caitlin Clark, would you like to go with me to the football game?”

I blinked.

She rambled.

God, she rambled.

And it was the cutest thing I’d ever seen.

Her cheeks were flushed pink, and she suddenly looked anywhere but at me, probably regretting every word she’d just said. I set the spoon down, wiped my hands again, and slowly walked toward her. My heart thudded in my chest like it was trying to escape.

I tilted her chin up with two fingers until her eyes met mine.

“You’re cute when you ramble, Sunshine,” I said softly. “And of course I’ll go with you to the football game. To support Camden, and because yeah-I do love football.”

Her face lit up, and then-

I was airborne.

Okay, maybe not airborne. But suddenly Sienna was in my arms, her legs wrapped tightly around my waist, arms locked around my neck as she squealed, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! It means a lot, Caitlin!”

I stumbled back a step, laughing as I held her close. I didn’t think twice-my hands landed naturally on her hips to keep her steady, her warmth seeping into me like sun through glass.

Then she pulled back, just slightly, and I froze.

Her face was inches from mine.

I could see every individual lash framing her emerald eyes, every freckle across her nose. Her breath mingled with mine. My eyes dropped to her lips, just for a second. God, I wanted to kiss her. Right there. I don’t think I’d ever wanted anything more.

But before I could move, she blinked like she just realized where she was-and then she was gone, stepping back, mumbling a soft, “Sorry,” as she backed away from me.

She gave me a tiny smile. “I should probably head out then. I’ll see you soon, Caitlin.”

But I didn’t want her to leave. Not now. Not when she just walked into my day and made it ten times better. Not when the silence between us had been soft and comforting. Not when she’d looked at me like that.

So before she could walk out, I reached for her wrist.

“Wait-don’t go,” I blurted. “Stay for dinner. We could also watch a movie. I could use the company, Sunshine. Please.”

She hesitated.

“Are you sure, Cait? I don’t wanna intrude.”

“You’re not intruding, Sunshine,” I said gently, tugging her toward the couch. “Come on.”

She let me take her hand, and we settled into the living room. I passed her the remote and said, “Here, pick a movie. I’m gonna go dish dinner.”

I went back into the kitchen, dishing up the pasta with careful hands, trying not to think about the weight of her legs around me or the way her voice trembled when she said my name. I brought both bowls into the living room and sank beside her, close enough that our knees touched. Neither of us moved away.

I handed her a plate, and she smiled. “Thank you.”

When I looked at the screen, I nearly snorted.

“Seriously? 17 Again? I didn’t peg you as the type of person who watches these kinds of movies.”

She gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. “I don’t know whether to be offended by that statement, Clark. This movie is my childhood. Zac Efron is my childhood crush. He was so hot when he was a teenager.”

I rolled my eyes. “I only liked him as Troy Bolton.”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Omg yesss! He was so hot in High School Musical. I always told my dad that I’d marry my own Troy Bolton one day.”

I smirked. “Well, you do have your own Troy Bolton, Sunshine. Just… the female version.”

She giggled, rolling her eyes at me. “Eat your food, Clark.”

I saluted her and took a bite. Before I could even say anything, I heard it.

A moan.

Not just any moan. A Sienna Callaway moan.

“Oh my god, Cait, this is delicious,” she said with wide eyes. “You didn’t tell me you could cook!”

My face went red. I couldn’t even hide it. “I dabble,” I mumbled.

We ate and talked about the movie, debating whether adult Mike O’Donnell had the right to relive his youth, whether teenage Zac Efron was hotter with a leather jacket or in a basketball uniform, and if Scarlet should’ve taken him back sooner.

“She was so stubborn,” Sienna said.

“She had every right to be!” I countered, mouth full of pasta.

She poked me with her fork. “You’re biased.”

“You’re the one obsessed with Troy Bolton.”

“Troy Bolton was elite,” she said dramatically, flipping her hair.

We laughed. God, we laughed so much.

After we finished eating, I took her plate, and she leaned her head on my shoulder. I stilled for a second, then gently wrapped an arm around her and laid my head on hers.

We stayed like that, in silence, just watching the movie. Her hair smelled like vanilla and coconut, and her body was warm against mine. My heart beat like a steady drum, not from nerves, but from something else. Something quieter. Fuller.

Peace.

For once, the world outside didn’t exist. There were no cameras, no expectations, no headlines. Just me and her, wrapped in this little moment.

And it was enough.

Authors Note :

Okay guys happy chapter no plot twist yet, needs more planning, Anyways what do y’all think Joseph is doing, is he actually working or doing something else…. Also happy chapter cause I read Our Little Secret by EnchantedGrace567 and let me tell you that book left me shattered, it’s so good y’all I definitely recommend. And also aren’t this two cuteee and excuse all grammatical errors. until next time my loves, stay happy y’all.

XoXo V 💜💜💜