𝐢𝐢𝐢.

Chris didn't consider himself a religious guy. But the mere fact he now held in his arms the woman who'd been on his mind just a few hours prior felt like the very definition of divine intervention. And if he was being honest with himself, her profile picture didn't begin to do her justice. She was breathtaking to say the least, especially up close.

"I am so sorry, I wasn't even looking where I was going," Faith uttered, her hands coming to rest on his chest. "But I'm gonna be honest, you're the last person in the world I expected to see today."

Once she'd firmly regained her balance, Chris let her go, his fingertips just barely brushing against the curve of her hip. "Would you think it's crazy if I said it's the same for me?"

"A little bit, yeah." Faith replied with a chuckle, sweeping some of her locs over her shoulder. "I entered the contest you're doing with Omaze and I just saw an email yesterday that I made it into the top three finalists? I legit don't understand how that happened, but I'm not complaining."

Chris chuckled, readjusting his Red Sox snapback. "I've done a couple of charity auctions with them before, and the rules are different depending on what it is. But like I tweeted you before, never say never."

She placed a hand over her chest, looking outdone by his words. Chris thought it was absolutely adorable that she was so flustered by him; he'd met fans before of course, so he was accustomed to the looks of awe. But something about Faith—he wasn't sure what just yet—set her apart from the average fans he crossed paths with. "Are you only here for a tour or are you sticking around for the game?"

"I've got front row tickets," He answered, gesturing his head towards his friend Max. "I'm sure you already know Max as one of the radio announcers."

"Very well, actually." She said, giving Max a little wave.

"It just so happens that it's my first Cs game, though." Chris continued, shrugging his shoulders somewhat bashfully.

She gasped dramatically. "You?  I'm having a hard time believing that one. Are you sure you're actually Chris Evans and not an impostor?"

Chris threw his head back and laughed. This was definitely out of the ordinary for him when it came to fan interactions—but to be honest, he liked it. He liked how casual it was, like he and Faith were old friends from high school catching up and not two people who'd just met five minutes ago. "I know, I know. It sounds insane from the guy who ate, slept, and breathed the Patriots and Red Sox as a kid. But I guess out of those three major sports, basketball interested me the least."

"Okay, you get a pass for now. I won't revoke your Boston fan card just yet."

"Oh, you're in charge of that, are you?" He said with a raise of his eyebrows, tone light, almost teasing. "Didn't realize that was a thing."

"It just became a thing like, two seconds ago," Faith couldn't help but giggle at her own antics the minute the words had left her mouth—and Chris couldn't help but to join her, a flurry of warmth zipping through his stomach.

Were those...butterflies? Was he really being all blushy and giggly over this woman? It wasn't like he hadn't been in the presence of a beautiful lady before.

But suddenly there it was again: Chris finding something about Faith that made her stand out. And not in a cliche way, either. Whatever it was, he had the feeling that whether or not she won the contest he'd want to spend time with her. Not that he'd voice it out loud. "Look, I don't wanna hold you up, I know you've got a lot to write about tonight."

She nodded and glanced at her watch. "I do, actually. But I hope you enjoy your first Cs game! It's going to be so much fun, I swear."

"I'm holding you to that." He said with a wink, making her cheeks flush a bit.

"Wait, before you go, could I get a selfie? I wanna show my sister, she's going to be so jealous."

"Oh, absolutely. I'll never pass up an opportunity to make a sibling jealous, I've been doing it all my life with my brother."

Faith pulled out her phone and moved closer to him, maneuvering to get the perfect angle. Chris wrapped his arm around her, their shoulders brushing, beaming their best smiles into the camera. She snapped a few, preparing to step away—but not before Chris caught her by surprise with a quick kiss on the cheek. She'd managed to capture that one too, squealing all the while.

"Any of those come out good?" He asked, a smile still playing on his lips.

Faith nodded wordlessly, cheeks red and giddiness radiating off of her. "Thank you so much, Chris. You're a sweetheart."

"Not a problem at all. I'll see you around, hopefully?"

She held up both hands and crossed her fingers. "Maybe not again tonight...but the next time on the red carpet?"

"Heh, I like the way you think." With a wave Max turned to head in the other direction, Chris preparing to follow suit so they could continue the tour. He paused for a moment, one last thing he wanted to tell Faith before they parted ways entering his mind.

Without thinking twice, he pivoted back towards her, placing a hand on her shoulder and lowering his voice as he said into her ear, "Off the record? I really hope you win."

• • • •

Although they were on FaceTime, Hope Beaumont's voice rang loud and clear as though she sat right next to her baby sister, a look of amazement on her face. "Oh. My. God. How are you still alive?!"

"Honestly, I'm still asking myself the same question." Faith answered, shaking her head as she looked at the photos of she and Chris for what felt like the millionth time. She was back home after the game, the excitement of the day capped off with a Celtics win. "He was exactly like I imagined him to be. He's so sweet and attentive. Like, when you're talking he maintains eye contact and really listens."

"You mean to tell me you stared into Christopher Jamal Evans' eyes and you aren't pregnant? Chile, lemme fly out to Boston right now and get your head examined."

They burst into a fit of giggles.

"Seriously though," Hope said after she'd calmed down a bit, "I'm so happy for you. And a tiny bit jealous."

"Thank you. And hey, you wouldn't have to be jealous if you still lived here."

"Girl, I'm in New York, not California. Besides, I'll come visit when it's time for the wedding."

Faith frowned. "What wedding?"

"You and Chris,' duh."

"Cut it out." Faith rolled her eyes playfully. "He'd never be interested in someone like me. Although..."

"What? Spill the tea."

"It's nothing major, just something he said before he left. He said that off the record, he's pulling for me to win the contest."

Hope promptly squealed. "How is that not major?! Girl, he's already simping for you and y'all barely know each other!"

Despite Hope's declaration, Faith wasn't convinced. In her mind, Chris' words were probably just an extension of his politeness more than anything else. "Eh, I don't know..."

"Don't sell yourself short. You already said he remembered you from Twitter and you didn't even have to introduce yourself, right?"

Something she was still shocked by. "Yeah."

"So it's just facts, then. Chris is a Faith stan, period. Don't even try and fight me on this, you won't win."

They hung up not too long after. With a soft sigh Faith grabbed her laptop and notebook, intent on beginning the game recap and article which was set to be published tomorrow morning. She appreciated her sister's vote of confidence, but it was hard for her to believe that Chris saw her as anything more than a fan who just so happened to be a Boston sports nut like he was.

That is, until her phone lit up with a notification that nearly made her fall off the bed.

• • • •

• • • •

hi! it's been a minute, but here's a longer chapter for you guys with some chris/faith cuteness! i love them sm <3

hopefully you enjoyed! comments are appreciated as always :)