Page 44 of A Match Made In Fall

“Maybe,” she says. “This is probably going to sound strange, but I’m grateful for this injury in some ways.”

“Why is that?” I ask. I’m genuinely curious because as an athlete it would feel like torture to not be able to play.

“Only because it’s given me a chance to spend quality time with my family. And especially my nephew. If I hadn’t come here now, I would’ve missed seeing him at this age.”

I listen intently as she continues. “And of course it’s forced me to slow down, which I hate. I’ll keep going, pushing myself past the point of exhaustion.”

“Everyone needs a break,” I tell her. Although I’m the last person who would listen to this advice.

“I know,” she wails. “Do you like to slow down?”

I scoff. “Are you kidding? No way. I dish out the advice, but I rarely take it.”

She laughs. “It’s nice talking to someone who understands.”

Yes, it is.

Our conversation is going so well and easy that I feel comfortable enough to ask her about the elephant in the room.

“So, while we’re talking about friends and people in our lives. What’s the story with Dexter?”

Her smile fades. “I was wondering if you were going to bring him up.”

Truthfully, I didn’t want to, but I’m curious. When did they break up and why? And how serious were they?

“You don’t have to share if you don’t want to…”

She shakes her head. “No, I do. Especially since you⁠—”

“Covered for you and told him I was your boyfriend,” I offer.

“Yep, that.” She exhales and starts talking.

“Well, it’s been almost a year since Dexter and I split,” she says softly. “We were moving in completely different directions. I was consumed with making it onto Ballroom Dance America, and Dexter was just as focused on building his business. Eventually, it all became too much for both of us.”

She pauses and looks out the passenger window, watching the dark countryside move past.

“Although, my mom and Sammy think he was threatened by everything that came with my dance career. It can be a lot of unwanted attention, plus the travel and long hours. But I don’t know if he felt that way or not. He never said anything about it.”

There's a sadness in her voice that stirs something strange inside me. I’m starting to wonder if there are still some lingering feelings for him. And just the thought of this bothers me.

“Anyway, we went our separate ways and haven’t spoken since. Then a few days ago he texted to see how I was recovering.”

“And you told him you’d moved on—with me.”

A laugh escapes her. “Well, technically, I told him I moved on. My mother is the one who dragged you into it.”

“Right.” I nod. “This is your mother’s fault.”

I knew I liked her mom.

I focus on the road ahead as I gather my thoughts.

“It was probably confusing for you to see him tonight.”

“Yes,” she admits after a few seconds. “Confusing is one way to describe it…but shocked is probably more accurate. Dexter isn’t the type to drop everything and fly across the country. That’s very unlike him.”

Hmm…which means he's serious. He didn't just accept her text and move on. He came here because he wants her back.