Page 122 of Lucky 22

“Yeah, I’m getting pretty hungry. We really should go to thegrocery store…” he says before we kiss some more.

“Or we can just order pizza and have a quiet date night atour apartment,” I suggest. We can always start unpacking tomorrow. Now that thebaseball season is over, we don’t have to follow any strict routines.

“Are you kidding? That sounds like the perfect night to me.”He moves in close again, “Those are always my favorite date nights.”

“Mine, too. But now that we’re back in California, the walkson the beach to watch the sunsets were pretty spectacular, too.”

“Mmm…they were. We’ll have to makesome time to do that while we’re here.”

This is the first time in years that we didn’t pack up andgo to Florida at the end of baseball season, and I feel like we have so manyopportunities. I don’t even know where to start. I need to be in LA right nowfor several promo events for The Echo Wars and to wrap up somerecordings before the holidays. Christian and I have already planned to spendthe time with our families before coming back for my recording schedule. Thenext several weeks are full for me, but they’re the complete opposite for him.We haven’t talked about it much, but I’m curious what retirement looks like forhim. Right now, we’re just taking things one day, one moment at a time.

But first, our pizza date night…

The Galactic Wars have a tremendous presenceat conventions, and I go to as many as I can. They are so much fun, and I lovemeeting the fans and interacting with them. It’s mind-blowing that so manypeople are so enthusiastic about the universe—and specifically Ashla.

I’m in a weird headspace because…well…this is the life I’vealways imagined for us, but it seemed so far off. It’s here now, and I didn’trealize how big of an adjustment it would be to live a “normal” life. One noton a strict schedule, or with an exact routine. This is what I’ve dreamed of,and it’s taking me a while to ease up and enjoy the freedom.

We don’t really talk about it, but I can tell that we’reboth working to find our new groove.

It’s also remarkable how much Christian’s body has healed.He’s worked hard at it—at relaxing and giving himself grace. We found aphysical therapist with no connections to the league, and they came up with atreatment plan that has seriously worked wonders.

I’ve always loved watching him move—both on the field andoff. He has an athletic grace that makes everything he does look effortless.And now that he’s starting to feel better, it’s so much better because I knowhe’s not powering through the pain.

“So? What are we doing today?” Christian asks as we sit downfor his famous and delicious pancake breakfast.

Because that’s never going away.

#Pancakesforever.

“I have a recording session, but I should be home in timefor us to drive to the beach for a sunset dinner.”

He nods. “What night are we meeting everyone for dinner?Thursday?”

“Yup. Everyone’s going to be there—Jen, Penny, Freya, andall their significant others.” I look over at him and let out a happy sigh.“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For always being so willing to hang out with my friends.”

“To be fair, they’re my friends, too.”

It’s true. He won them over years ago, and they all adorehim.

I mean…who wouldn’t?

“And this weekend…?”

I grab my phone and quickly scan the calendar because there’sa lot on it. More than I ever imagined. There are conventions literally allover the world, and all of us from The Echo Wars are riding the waveof our immense popularity. Between events, appearances, and press interviews,I’ve been very busy.

So, what makes this different from being on a movie setsomewhere far away for weeks or even months?

Christian and I are doing it all together.

Because we’re a team.

Go Team Lucas!

“Okay, it looks like the only things we have on the calendarthis weekend are an Echo Wars meet and greet in Anaheim and a brunchwith Michael and Jeremy on Sunday.” Putting my phone down, I take a forkful ofpancakes, humming with appreciation. “So yummy.”