Page 241 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I stare at the untouched coffee.

"She heard every word."

Silence settles between us.

Then, barely above a whisper—

"And she still left."

Coach studies me for another moment before quietly pulling out one of the kitchen stools.

He sits. That's it.

No speeches. No questions.

Just...Stays.

The silence stretches between us.

Normally it would have made me uncomfortable.

Today...It's exactly what I need.

Finally, I clear my throat. "I keep thinking she'll walk through the door."

Coach doesn't answer.

"I even..." I shake my head, embarrassed. "I almost reheated my coffee for her."

His eyes soften.

I stare at the floor. "I knew she wasn't coming."

Another pause. "But for a second..."

I let out a humorless laugh. "I forgot."

Coach folds his hands together. "Grief does that."

The word catches me off guard.

Grief.

People grieve funerals, not women who choose to leave.

"I don't think this counts."

He looks at me. "Doesn't it?"

I don't have an answer.

Because somehow, it feels exactly like mourning someone who's still alive.

***

Coach finally opens the paper bag.

"Turkey."