Page 73 of A Match Made In Fall

“Hey, stranger.”

I let out a groan. “Ugh. I'm sorry I've been completely MIA. There has been so much happening here.”

“I can imagine,” she says with a laugh. “So what's going on? How's your hot hockey player?”

My smile instantly disappears.

I clear my throat. “Well…he's leaving.”

The teasing tone vanishes from her voice. “Wait. What do you mean he's leaving?”

“He got traded.” Saying the words out loud somehow makes them feel even more real. “He's being sent to another team, so he'll be leaving North Carolina.”

“Ohhh.”

I sink onto the couch and pull my knees up to my chest.

“It's all happening so fast,” I say quietly. “I always knew I'd eventually go back to LA. But I thought we'd have more time. I was looking forward to spending the holidays together, making more memories, figuring things out. And now…” My voice wavers dangerously close to breaking. “Now everything feels like it's being ripped away before we even get a chance.”

For a moment, Elise doesn't say anything.

“Okay, Isabella,” she says. “Be honest with me. This is more than just some guy you're dating, isn't it?”

I close my eyes. “Yes. I'm completely falling for him. Honestly, I don't think I've even been trying to hide it anymore.”

“Does he know how you feel?” she asks.

“He knows. And he feels the same way.”

“Aww.” Her voice brightens immediately. “Okay, this is so exciting. Not the leaving part, but that you feel the same way about each other.”

I let out a laugh. “I know what you mean.”

“Anyway,” she continues, growing serious again, “have you two talked about what happens next? Are you going to visit each other? Is long distance something you could do? And where exactly is he going?”

I sigh. "Believe it or not, he's going to end up playing for a team in Northern California."

"Oh, well, then he'll be closer," Elise says. "At least that's some good news."

"Yeah, I guess." I twist a strand of hair around my finger. "But what do you think? We're both so busy with our careers. Do you really believe long-distance relationships can work? I'm starting to wonder if it would be better to just make a clean break now before it gets even harder."

The words hang in the air. I can't believe I said them out loud. The thought has been creeping into my mind, showing up during quiet moments when I'm alone, but I haven't admitted it to anyone. Still, I know I can count on Elise to be honest, even when the truth isn't what I want to hear.

"I think they can work," she says after a moment. "But both people have to really want it. Long distance takes patience, understanding, and a lot of trust. There will probably be stretches when you don't get to see each other, and you'll have to decide if you're okay with that."

I remain silent, listening.

"The bigger question is—do you think he's worth it?"

Do I think he’s worth it?

I think about how much my life has changed since I met Austin. Before him, it felt like I was just going through the motions and feeling sorry for myself. Then we met, and he somehow pulled me out of that dark place. He made me laugh again and made me excited about the future and made me remember all the good things amid my trials.

If anyone is worth fighting for, it's Austin.

Before I can respond, the sound of the doorbell echoes through the house. My heart immediately jumps.

"He’s here," I exclaim. "Can I call you later?"