The last whistle blew, and the kids scattered toward the bleachers, sweaty and smiling, clutching their goodie bags. You collected stray basketballs while Diana crouched to tie her daughter’s shoelace. Her kids clung to her legs, laughing when she tried to stand.

You smiled at the scene. “They’ve got you outnumbered.” “Always,” Diana said, shaking her head with mock defeat. She looked up at you, her kids still holding onto her. “You hungry? I usually take them for pizza after these things. You should come.”

You hesitated, surprised by the offer. “You’re inviting me to pizza with your kids?” She raised an eyebrow. “What, you got something better to do? Rookie tradition—it’s either that, or carry all my gear to the car.” Her daughter tugged your hand.

“Come with us! Mom eats all the cheese bread if you don’t help us.” You laughed, heart warming at how quickly they pulled you in. “Okay, okay—I’ll help defend the cheese bread.”

Later, at the small pizzeria down the street, the four of you squeezed into a booth. The kids argued over toppings, Diana cut them off with a stern-but-playful, “Half pepperoni, half plain—end of discussion.”

You leaned back, watching her juggle parenting and ordering without missing a beat. “You’re… really good at this,” you said quietly. Diana gave you a side glance. “Parenting?” “Yeah,” you said. “And… just being real. No fake smiles, no pretending. I respect that.” Her jaw tightened for a moment, then loosened. “A lot of people don’t. It’s easier for them to walk away than deal with all of… this.” She motioned vaguely between herself, the kids, and her own sharp-edged personality. You leaned forward. “Then they weren’t meant to be around. Some people can handle intensity. Some people… like it.”

Her eyes lingered on you, longer this time, as if she were testing your sincerity. Then one corner of her mouth tugged upward. “Careful, Rookie. You keep talking like that, and I might start thinking you actually like me.” You grinned. “Maybe I do.”

Before she could reply, the kids burst out laughing over spilled soda, breaking the moment—but the spark between you and Diana was undeniable now.