Page 76 of Lucky 22

“Oh.”

“Ella, I’m telling you, it’s all happening like it should.Just because it’s taking longer than we thought doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.Now, go back to St. Louis and cheer on your husband. It looks like he’s havingan incredible season.”

He truly is.

And it isn’t just Christian, the Archers are having anamazing season so far, too. And maybe I’m biased, but I know my husband is abig part of that. His stats have never been better, and all the analytics proveit, even though he doesn’t know it because he doesn’t pay attention to any ofthat during the season. It breaks his focus and routine.

“I’ll be back next month to film my last episode of That’sSo High School.” I sigh. Tiffy was such a fun character to play, and Iknow I’ll miss her.

“And hopefully we’ll hear back about Galactic Warsby then.”

I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I really wantthe part.

How cool would it be to be a character in that universe?I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl.

“Safe travels, and go Archers!” she says before hanging up.

When I arrive at the airport, I quickly text Christian toconfirm that my flight is on time. He’s got the night off, so he’ll be the onepicking me up. I can’t wait to see him. I think this time away really refueledme.

But I don’t want it to become necessary.

What if this pattern—only spending a few weeks together at atime—becomes the only way for us to survive?

Us, or me?

Ugh.

No. I refuse to accept that.

As I sit at the gate, I decide to call him. I know I justtexted him a few minutes ago, but I really want to hear his voice.

“Hey,” he says in answer. “Don’t tell me your flight gotdelayed.”

“What? No. I’m just sitting at the gate and thinking aboutyou. I wanted to call and hear your voice.”

“I know the feeling. I always look forward to hearing yours.Especially when you’re not here, and a phone call is all we have.”

“How’d the game go today?”

“It went okay.”

The man never gives himself the credit he deserves. He’s oneof the hardest-working athletes in the entire league, and I wish he knew justhow impressive he is.

“What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”

“Well, I thought after we have breakfast together—I wentgrocery shopping and got all the ingredients for pancakes—we could spend theday relaxing, just the two of us.”

“Really?” I already knew there wasn’t a game on the calendarfor tomorrow, which is why I chose to fly back to St. Louis.

“Yup. Ask me why?”

I laugh softly. “Okay, why?”

“Because I miss you, Ella Rose. I hate it when we’re apart.I know it’s necessary, and we knew things would be like this, but I really wantus to have a day with nothing to do except be together.”

Aww…

“That sounds perfect. I missed you, too.”