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I keep my bar escapade with Gracie to myself because I don’t need them teasing me for pursuing a woman who lives in another state. It’s just my luck to finally want to see where things could go with someone and she is a flight away.
“You need to get back out there. Aren’t you sick of having blue balls?” Leo teases, and he and Max high five each other. I really wonder when they will grow up.
I roll my eyes at them and ask, “How am I friends with you two?”
“Because without us, you’d be lonely and bored,” Max says with a proud grin.
“I beg to differ,” I mutter under my breath and take another sip of my drink.
“I bet you’d work even more,” Max says.
I shrug, knowing that’s exactly what I’d do because outside of work, all I have is my daughter. But sharing time with her mother over the years, I’ve had to prioritize the time when she’s with me. Leaving the rest to work, work, work. Wanting to leave Aria as much in her trust as I can, to know when I’m gone, she is well looked after.
I don’t want them to judge me or make stupid comments, so I don’t tell them that. They don’t have kids; they are NHL players, single and have never been married. The complete opposite of me. The only time I’ve ever not thought about work was my night with Gracie. And it has me wondering if we were together would work continue to consume me, or would she?
Chapter 10
Gracie
“Areyousurethisis a good idea?” Ava asks, sitting on my bed and watching me pack clothes into my case.
I peer over at her, meeting her glossed over eyes. She looks like she is ready to burst out crying. Sitting beside her on my unmade bed, I grab her hands and hold them on my lap.
“I know this is hard. Hell, it is for me too. This was a massive decision and step for me. It involves leaving my comfort zone, of you, the bar, my parents, Chicago, all to chase a dream. And when I need someone, I can’t just come over. I have to call. But I have to do this.” I offer her a sad smile, looking down at our joined hands, and then back up into her glossy eyes.
She nods. “I know, and I’m a selfish asshole. It’s just…we’ve been together since we were teenagers, and I feel like you’re breaking up with me.”
I laugh, but then turn serious again. “You’re my rock. My family. But I need to take this opportunity the professor helped me get, because it won’t come my way again. I’ve worked so hard for it. College, worked over time, the saving, it’s all for this.”
“I know it’s one of the top companies, and you’ll make a wonderful trainee.”
“If I get to finish,” I say, sharing a fear of mine with her.
“You will. You’re not allowed to leave me for nothing. It must be worth it,” she says, narrowing her eyes at me.
“I promise to video and call you often.”
“You better.” She squeezes my hands.
I smile and scoot off the bed, breaking our connection to continue packing. She doesn’t move, just watches.
“If you’re not going to help, can you pour me some wine?” I tease with a warm smile.
“Wine sounds like a great idea. But I can’t, so I’ll just have some water.”
I chuckle. “Yes, no wine for you, Momma, and not too much. I don’t have enough time. I need to finish packing.”
She grumbles, and I snigger. She is acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
She grabs our drinks and some snacks and returns to watching me pack.
“What’s your new apartment like?” she asks as she stuffs her mouth full of chips and chews, waiting for me to answer.
“It’s not modern. It’s a little old, but not like falling apart,” I clarify when her face turns horrified. “More like unique.”
“That doesn’t sound any better to me.”
“I’ll be fine. Stop trying to find ways to deter me from going.”
