Date

Chapter 37 - Date

Mike and Mia walked side by side down the quiet street after leaving campus. Mia still held his arm, though her grip had loosened.

Ahead, she spotted a small boxing gear shop. A pair of red gloves and black headgear hung in the window.

“Come on,” she said, tugging his arm. “I need new hand wraps. And maybe a better pair of focus mitts. You’re helping me pick.”

“You say that like I have a choice.”

“You don’t.”

She pulled him inside.

The shop smelled of fresh leather and rubber. Gloves covered one wall, arranged by size and color, while shelves nearby held hand wraps, pads, headgear, and other training gear.

Mia went straight to the wraps.

“These?”

Mike took the roll she handed him and pulled it gently between his hands. “Too stiff.”

She grabbed another. “This one?”

“Better. More stretch.”

Mia nodded and added it to her growing pile.

Then she picked up a pair of black focus mitts. “Try these.”

She pushed them toward him.

Mike slipped his hands inside and flexed his fingers. “Padding feels good.”

“Too heavy?”

“A little.”

Mia took them back and weighed them in her hands. “I’ll be using them for hours. Heavy won’t help.”

They moved from one pair to another, checking the padding, stitching, weight, and grip. Mia kept asking for his opinion, even when she had already made up her mind.

After nearly twenty minutes, she finally held up a set of wraps and a pair of mitts.

“These.”

Mike nodded. “Good choice.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve been dragged around this shop for twenty minutes. I’d better be.”

She laughed and headed for the counter.

A few minutes later, they stepped back onto the street. Mike took the shopping bag from her without asking.

“I can carry it,” Mia said.

“I know.”

“Then why are you carrying it?”

Mike glanced at her. “Because you’re going to complain about your hand hurting later.”

Mia opened her mouth, then closed it.

“...Fine.”

Mike smiled and kept walking.

Outside, Mia’s eyes caught the bright lights of an arcade two doors down. She grabbed Mike’s wrist and pulled him toward the entrance without waiting for an answer.

“Just a few games. It’s been forever.”

Inside the arcade, the noise of machines and electronic music surrounded them. They started with a racing game, standing side by side and laughing when Mike’s car spun out on the final turn.

Mia quickly dragged him toward a claw machine packed with stuffed animals. She dropped in a few coins and tried three times, but each attempt ended the same way. The claw would grab a toy, lift it halfway, and then drop it before reaching the chute.

“Let me try,” Mike said.

His attempt failed just as badly.

They stared at the machine for a moment before shaking their heads and moving on.

Next, they stopped at a basketball game. The rims looked normal until they started shooting, and then Mia discovered they were much smaller than they seemed. She still managed to sink two shots in a row.

“Ha! Did you see that?” she said as the tickets spilled out.

Mike grabbed the ball and scored once.

“Your turn to be impressed,” he said.

“By one shot? Dream on.”

After a few more games, they cashed in their tickets for a cheap keychain. It wasn't much, but they walked out of the arcade still laughing and smiling.

A few blocks later, Mia stopped at a small Korean-style barbecue restaurant. They took a seat by the window, where a grill was built into the table.

The server brought meat, vegetables, and broth. Mia showed Mike how to cook the meat, and soon they were passing the tongs back and forth, laughing as smoke rose between them. Between bites, they talked about her training and the little free time she had before her match.

After dinner, Mike paid, and they walked to Mia’s apartment. The evening air had turned cool, and Mia stayed close beside him.

At the steps, Mike stopped.

“Get some rest. You’ve got early training tomorrow.”

Mia did not move toward the door. She looked down at her feet for a second, then back up at him. Her weight shifted from one foot to the other.

A faint color rose in her cheeks.

“How about a beer at my place? Just one. It’s still early.”

Mike noticed the hesitation in her posture. She didn't reach for her keys or move toward the door.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Mike understood.

He gave her a small nod.

“All right. One beer.”

They climbed the stairs to Mia’s floor. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, with Mike following close behind.

The apartment was small and tidy. A short hallway opened into the living room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Mia turned toward him.

Mike barely had time to react before she reached for him. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.

For a moment, neither of them said a word. It felt like they had both been waiting for that door to close.

The first kiss landed soft, then grew hungrier. Mia’s hands slid up his back. Mike’s fingers found the edge of her crop top.

Their mouths moved together, messy and open, breathing each other’s air.

Mia backed toward the hallway without breaking the contact. Mike walked with her, guiding her through the short distance to the bedroom.

He eased her down onto the bed so she lay on her back. Mia’s eyes stayed on his. Mike leaned over her and slipped his fingers under the hem of her tight leggings, starting to pull the fabric down.

"Knock, knock." A sharp knock sounded on the front door.

Both of them froze.

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