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workout?”
    Before Natalie could answer Lise jumped into the
conversation. “Does she? That’s an understatement. That’s all she does is go to
the gym.”
    Ryan chuckled. “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s
good to exercise. I can tell by the muscles in your legs that you can probably leg
press me.” His eyes traveled up and down her body.
    Natalie hesitated. “I don’t know about that but I’ve been
working out really hard lately. I guess it’s paying off.”
    “Maybe we could workout together. You could train me.”
    Natalie snickered. “Are you sure? Me, train a football
player?”
    “Yeah, why not? I’m thinking you may be able to show me a
few things.” Ryan smiled and then winked at her. It caused another surge of
adrenaline to hit her blood stream. Why did everything he say or do drive her
crazy?
    “I’ll warn you now. Be prepared. She’ll kill you, like she
did me.” Lise smirked.
    “I think I can handle it.” Ryan kept his eyes focused on
Natalie.
    Natalie ignored Lise’s comment. “Sure, anytime.” She had to
look away before her face got any hotter.
    The waitress came back with their drinks. “Two waters, two
cokes and a mojito.”
    Sal handed her a few bills folded up before anyone could
offer to pay. “Keep the change.”
    “Thanks,” the waitress said and then walked off.
    “Thanks, Sal.” Lise took her drink and began slurping it
down. Natalie took her ice water and downed it. The coldness numbed her mouth
and the heat lifted from her cheeks.
    “To answer your question from earlier, I did have an
athletic scholarship but I lost it when I got injured.” Ryan rubbed the
condensation on his glass with his thumb.
    “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Are you okay?”
    Ryan nodded. “Oh yeah, I’m fine now. I had to take a year
off from school to have surgery and get my head back together. I decided that I
would transfer and start fresh. It’s been the best decision I’ve made so far.”
    “That’s good. So, you don’t play anymore?”
    “Not too much. It’s not worth the risk. The doc said that I really
messed up my ACL and if I hurt myself again I’d be on crutches forever or
walking with a cane. That was enough for me to decide to hang up my cleats.”
    Natalie felt bad for him. It must have been disappointing to
have his dream destroyed. She remembered how happy he looked after winning a
big game. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know it must suck.”
    “Yeah, it did. I had to learn to move on and trust that
there is something bigger in life planned for me.”
    “I admire your passion for life. It kind of reminds me of
something my grandmother always tells me.”
    “What’s that?” Ryan gulped down half his drink.
    “To never give up on your dreams or goals. If a door closes,
another one always opens.”
    “Exactly. But I have to admit it wasn’t easy and it took
time and a leap of faith.”
    “I can only imagine.” She glanced down at her glass, shaking
the ice around.
    “So, you still want to be friends with me even though you
know I’m not a big football star any longer?”
    Natalie winced. Did she seem that shallow? Then again, he really
didn’t know her that well. “That doesn’t matter to me. I mean, don’t get me
wrong, I’m sorry that happened to you but I ummm… like talking with you
regardless.”
    Ryan smiled and leaned in closer to her. “Thanks. I hope
you’re being honest.”
    For a split second Natalie wondered why he would say
something like that to her. His eyes told her why. Fear plagued him, like it
did her. She didn’t have to ask what happened to Jennifer. She knew she left
him because of the injury.
    “I’m not like other girls, Ryan. In fact, I really don’t
even date. My last relationship was horrible.” Natalie sighed heavily. She
noticed her hands weren’t shaking any longer. Finally, she was beginning to
feel somewhat like herself around him.
    “I’m sorry to hear that. So, you know what it feels