We Could Be Something

“Iker?”

Iker, who’d been messing around with the napkin which sat at his side, startled a little at the sound of his name before he lifted his head, offering Adriana a small smile. “Adriana” he greeted softly “It’s good to see you” he added as he pushed himself up, offering her the seat which sat across from him. He knew that it was going to be a little strange, despite her having given him her phone number, they were still strangers, but he was pleased that she had shown up, even if it did mean that that evening was going to be awkward, he was merely glad to have a chance to get out of his apartment for a while.

“It’s nice to see you too” Adriana enthused, taking the seat he’d offered to her “Though, I have to admit you caught me off guard. I wasn’t exactly anticipating you to call” she added, offering him a small smile. It had been a surprise, Iker’s call had caught her more than a little off guard, but she was pleased that he had felt as though he could call. It was clear that he was in need of someone he could talk to and, for a while, Adriana was more than happy to be that person.

Iker shook his head. “I didn’t think I’d call either” he admitted softly “But I needed to get out of my apartment for a while and you’re the only person that sprang to mind. If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to stick around” he babbled softly.

Adriana listened to his rambled words before she shook her head, sparing him another amused grin. “Iker, it’s fine” she insisted softly “I was only going to be spending the night in anyway. You’ve saved me from trashy television and a microwaved dinner” she grinned.

Iker offered her a slightly dubious look, something which made Adriana lean forwards, gently squeezing his hand which messed softly with the napkin. “Iker” she noted softly “If I didn’t want to come, I wouldn’t have done. You’re not the only one who could do with a night out, you know” she added. It had been a while, since Jonathan had left, Adriana had spent most of her nights at home alone, but she was grateful for the chance to get out for a little while, even if it was just a friendly meal with Iker, she was glad to get out of the apartment.

Iker tilted his head. “You don’t have a boyfriend?” he posed bluntly.

Adriana stilled a little at his question before she ducked her head, something which made Iker’s eyes widen. “I didn’t mean to upset you” he babbled gently “It’s just…you’re quite beautiful and it…it’s a surprise that you don’t have someone” he added, his cheeks tinting pinker and pinker with each word.

Adriana shook her head. “It’s fine” she noted softly “It’s just a sore topic right now” she added, trying to keep things vague. The last thing she wanted was to spend the night explaining that her fiancé had left her when he had found out that she was expecting their baby.

“I’m sorry” Iker noted “I didn’t know” he added.

Adriana spared him a small look before she quirked a small smile. “It’s really OK. You’re not psychic, you weren’t to know, but if you get one topic we can’t talk about, I get one too” she bargained.

Iker nodded. “Alright” he agreed gently “We won’t talk about my transfer and we won’t talk about your relationship, Ok?” he offered gently. He knew that he had struck a nerve, as soon as the word ‘boyfriend’ had fallen out of his mouth, Adriana’s entire face had fallen, and he wanted to do anything he could to make her feel comfortable. Chances were that, if that night went well, they’d spend more time together and he didn’t want her to feel anymore awkward around him.

Adriana offered him a soft look before she nodded, quirking a soft smile. “That sounds like a plan” she enthused gently.

~#~
“So, how did you end up becoming a doctor?” Iker posed as he sipped on his mug of coffee, his dark eyes settled on Adriana who was nursing her own mug. It had been a pleasant evening, despite its rocky start, both Iker and Adriana had relaxed into it after a while, and Iker was pleased that it was going so well, glad that he had opted to call Adriana when he had.

Adriana, who’d been sipping her tea, shrugged. “I was always good in school” she noted softly “And my papa, he’s a surgeon and my brother, he’s a nurse. Medicine seemed to run in the family” she explained.

“And you became a sports doctor rather than going to work in a hospital?” Iker posed.

“I’ve always been interested in sport” Adriana quipped “And I was lucky that I was offered an internship with Porto, I’ve been with the club for almost five years now” she enthused brightly.

Iker admired the bright expression on her face for a moment before he shook his head, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

Adriana spotted the smile and tilted her head. “What?” she pressed.

“Nothing” Iker quipped.

“You’re smiling at me” Adriana countered.

Iker shook his head amusedly. “I was just admiring how enthusiastic you are about your job. It’s nice to see” he mused.

Adriana shook her head, playfully rolling her eyes. “You’re very sweet, aren’t you?” she teased.

Iker offered her a playful shrug before the sound of her phone vibrating against the table reached them, causing him to tilt his head. “Adriana?” he posed.

Adriana, who’d moved to check the screen of her phone, sighed. “It’s Ella” she noted softly “She’s at my place and is asking where I am. I should probably get back before she freaks out” she explained.

Iker nodded his head and carefully pushed his seat back, moving to stand up. “I had a good time” he noted gently “I mean, it started off worse than bad, but I think it was good, no?” he pressed, his tone caught between fretful and teasing.

Adriana quirked another amused grin before she stepped towards him, pressing a kiss against his cheek. “It was good” she enthused “So much so, we should do it again some time. Why don’t you call me again?” she added as she moved to pull on her jacket.

Iker quirked a small grin. “I’d love that” he enthused.

“I would too” Adriana mused “But for now, I have to get going. I’ll see you, Iker” she added before she moved to leave the restaurant.

Iker watched her go for a second before he shook his head, smiling to himself. It had been a little awkward, for a little while, neither one of them had been quite sure of what to say to the other, but Iker was pleased that they had done it, and that Adriana was keen to do it again.