Marcelli placed the tray on the table with a calculated movement, as if each gesture had a purpose.
Her friends hesitantly sat down next to her, leaving Lucas and Raphael diagonally across the table. Lucas, who was still cutting his meat, felt her presence almost like a weight in the room.
Raphael seemed torn between excitement and apprehension, his eyes shining hopefully as he tried to keep the conversation under control.
"Do you always play like that?" asked Marcelli, leaning slightly towards Lucas. Her brown eyes were fixed on him, assessing every detail.
Lucas looked up from his plate in surprise. He hadn't expected her to start a conversation with such interest... in him.
"Well, I... try. It was an important game, so I think I did my best."
Marcelli smiled, resting his chin on his hand. "Isn't that what everyone says? 'I did my best'. But I saw it. You're a natural. Is playing for Brighton really your plan?"
