The parking lot of the soccer field was still buzzing with excitement from the game. The Bayview Tigers—Lily and Eli’s team—had pulled off a spectacular win, thanks to some last-minute heroics and an impressive defensive stand by Eli (So he didn’t actually kick the ball away from his team’s goal. More like it bounced off of him and headed in the right direction away from the net. Beca still counted it as a win for her son.) As parents and kids dispersed, the glow of victory still hung in the air.
Lily, full of post-game adrenaline, was holding Eli in an exaggerated headlock. “Lesson number one in warrior training: Never let your guard down,” she declared, ruffling his brown hair.
Eli, dramatically flailing, gasped, “I am not weak! I am a warrior!”
Beca, arms crossed, watched with amusement. “Pretty sure warriors don’t squeal like that, dude.”
Eli immediately deepened his voice. “I AM A WARRIOR,” he growled.
Chloe, standing beside Beca, chuckled. “Wow, so intimidating. I’m shaking.” She nudged Beca playfully. “Your kid is adorable.”
Beca smirked. “Yeah, well, he gets it from me.”
Chloe arched an eyebrow. “Oh? And not from his father?”
Beca scoffed. “Nope. Jesse is about as intimidating as a golden retriever with a squeaky toy.”
Chloe laughed. “That actually tracks.”
As the kids ran off to burn more energy, Chloe and Beca lingered by their cars. The easy post-game chatter had shifted into something a little more personal.
“So, music teacher, huh?” Chloe asked, leaning casually against Beca’s car. “That explains why Eli has excellent rhythm when he runs.”
Beca rubbed the back of her neck. “Yeah, well, it pays the bills, keeps me from going feral. Plus, kids are weirdly fun.”
“I can see that.” Chloe grinned. “And it’s pretty hot.”
Beca choked on air. “What?”
Chloe just shrugged, all effortless charm. “I said what I said.”
Beca floundered for a response before managing, “Well, being a vet is cool too. You…uh, save lives. That’s…uh…hot.”
Chloe gave her an amused look. “Wow, Beca. You should give lessons on flirting.”
Beca groaned. “Shut up.”
Chloe bit her lip to hide her smile. “I actually love my job. There’s something about helping animals, making their humans happy—it’s rewarding, you know?”
Beca nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Music’s kind of the same. You can see when a kid finally gets something, like they unlock a whole new world.”
Chloe tilted her head. “That’s really sweet.”
Beca tried to ignore the warm feeling that comment gave her. “So…your ex? What’s his deal?”
Chloe sighed. “Tom and I are civil. He’s a good dad, but he’s not great at communicating unless it’s about Eli.”
Beca nodded. “Jesse’s kind of the same. I mean, we co-parent well enough, but sometimes I swear he still thinks we’re in college and life is one big sing-along.”
Chloe giggled. “I can totally see that.”
They both watched their kids for a moment—Lily now teaching Eli a weird celebratory dance that involved a lot of stomping. The conversation had turned comfortable, easy.
Beca hesitated before saying, “It’s kinda nice, though. Knowing we’re both in this whole single-parenting thing.”
Chloe’s smile softened. “Yeah. It is.”
Beca exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “You’re annoyingly good at flirting, by the way.”
Chloe smirked. “Why, thank you.”
Beca turned slightly, squaring her shoulders. “But you wanna know something?”
Chloe’s brows lifted in curiosity. “What?”
Beca leaned in just a little, lowering her voice. “For all my awkwardness …you’re still standing here talking to me. Flirting with me. Trying to get with me.”
Chloe blinked. Just once. Then her mouth opened. And then closed. And then opened again. But no words came out.
Beca grinned, victorious. “Speechless? Damn. That’s a first.”
Chloe finally let out a breath and laughed. “Okay, that was actually really good.”
Beca waggled her eyebrows. “I have my moments.”
Chloe shook her head, still grinning. “So, what now? Are we gonna pretend this conversation didn’t just turn into an episode of Will They, Won’t They?”
Beca glanced at the kids, then back at Chloe. “How about…we get together? You, me, the kids. Maybe a movie night?”
Chloe studied her, eyes twinkling. “Is that a date?”
Beca shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Depends. Do you want it to be?”
Chloe laughed again, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet, you’re still standing here.”
Chloe bit her lip, her smile softening. “Alright, Mitchell. Movie night it is.”
Beca exhaled. “Cool. Totally cool. Not nervous at all.”
Chloe smirked. “Uh-huh. Sure.”
Beca rubbed the back of her neck. “Shut up.”
As they gathered their kids and headed to their cars, Chloe called out, “Hey, Beca?”
“Yeah?”
Chloe winked. “For the record, I do want it to be a date.”
Beca’s brain short-circuited. Lily and Eli laughed at her stunned expression.
She really needed to up her flirting game.