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CHAPTER 7 – Valentina
Saturday, July 26
“Do we really have to?” Lexa asks, whining as she flops onto the couch in Alycia’s living room.
“Keeping the press on our good side is vital,” Alycia reminds us. “You know this. You’ve lived this.”
“Yeah, but can’t they just leave us alone?” Lexa grumbles, sitting up. “I mean, we’re just people. We’re not that interesting.”
Alycia and I exchange a look, trying not to laugh. Lexa’s been in a mood all morning. She hates being in the spotlight, especially when it’s not about football.
“They just want to get to know us better,” I say. “They’re curious about our relationship.”
“Exactly,” Alycia says. “You’re the league’s first out power couple. I hate doing this to you, you know I do, but the club needs it. I managed to get a good amount of sponsors, whose benefits you’re already enjoying, but we need even more if we are to stand a chance against Apex.”
Six weeks ago at Amanecer, Lexa told her mother she wasn’t selling out our relationship and her mother apologized for asking. Alycia doesn’t apologize. Alycia brings a list of sponsors instead.
“Fine,” Lexa mutters, then looks up at me. “Do I have to wear a dress?”
I smile, brushing her hair back. “No, cariño. You can wear whatever you want. But maybe something a little nicer than your training gear.”
She groans. “Ugh. Fine. When’s the press conference anyway?”
Alycia checks her phone. “In two hours. Plenty of time to get ready.”
I stand up, holding out my hand. “Come on, I’ll help you pick an outfit.”
Lexa takes my hand, getting up reluctantly. “You’re the best, you know that?”
“Now let’s go make you look presentable.”
We say a quick goodbye to Alycia and head to our apartment. I still can’t believe Lexa asked me to move in with her, but I’m so glad she did. It feels right. It feels like we’ve been together for years, and I can’t imagine my life without her.
When we get to the apartment, Lexa immediately starts rummaging through her clothes in the closet. She pulls out a few options, holding them up for me to see.
“What do you think?”
I examine the clothes she’s currently holding up. There’s a pair of jeans, a nice blouse, and a blazer. Simple, but elegant.
“I like that,” I say, pointing to the outfit. “It’s professional, but still you.”
“Good. I don’t want to look like someone I’m not.”
“You won’t. You’ll look like the beautiful woman you are.”
She smiles, her cheeks flushing. “You’re such a sap.”
“But you love it.”
“I do,” she admits. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say, kissing her softly.
“Do you think we have enough time before the conference to…” she trails off, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
I laugh. “Lexa, you’re terrible. We have to get ready, remember?”
She pouts. “But I can’t help it. You look so hot right now.”
