Page 10 of Face-Off with my Childhood Best Friend

She smiles. “It was peaceful, though, just the two of us sitting on the bench and waiting for the moment.”

“The moment—” This could be the moment is what I want to reply, but I don’t really know if she’s feeling the same way. “The moment was perfect. Just sitting there with you was perfect.”

I can feel the softness of her hair against my cheek as she rests her head on my shoulder. “You’ve turned into a romantic.”

I chuckle. “My teammates would love to hear that.” I nod ahead. “We’re here.”

Inside, the restaurant is cozy. A faint aroma of freshly baked bread and herbs fills the air, along with the scent of vanilla and cinnamon from the lit candle in between us.

“This is nice.” Nadia looks around the dimly lit restaurant.

The soft melodies of the music provide a gentle backdrop.

“It is, but it’s better because you’re here,” I reply.

She turns to me. We’re sitting across from each other, the candle flickering between us casting shadows on her gorgeous face. Her gaze turns intense, searching mine as if trying to decipher my thoughts.

She nods lightly. “I miss this,” she says softly, breaking the silence that had settled between us. “I miss us.”

Her words hang in the air, and I know I have such little time with her before she’ll depart for Europe again that time is precious. I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “I miss us too,” I admit.

For a moment, neither of us speak, it’s like that night we waited for the eclipse as we sat together waiting for something to happen.

I swallow. “I’m proud of what you became … your modeling career. I know I said some horrible things to you when we were younger, but…”

“You made me stronger. I never regret it. Your words spurred me on. They never held me back. Instead, they made me want it more.”

“I never wanted you to leave me. I thought it would get you to stay with me.”

Her lip catches between her teeth as her eyes flick up, locking onto the server who arrived at our table.

His gaze is fixed on Nadia as he inquires, “Are you Nadia Simmons, the top model?”

She smiles as she shakes her head and lies. “No, I just look like her.”

I clear my throat. The server turns to me. His eyes widen. “And you’re Oscar Bridge, the New York Bears hockey star.”

I smile. I’m accustomed to the recognition and have no qualms about interacting with fans. “I am. How are you?”

“Oh … Oh, me. I’m … I’m good.” Every word is flustered. “Sorry, are you ready to order?”

“A bottle of champagne to start,” I say.

“Champagne,” Nadia says when the server leaves the table. “What are we celebrating?”

“Us and friendship.”

“Friendship is good.”

“And us?” I check.

“Is there an ‘us’ anymore?” she asks. “We live in different countries.”

I gaze into Nadia’s eyes, the flickering candlelight dancing in them. “There will always be an ‘us’,” I say with confidence. “Distance can’t change what we mean to each other.”

She smiles softly, a hint of sadness lingering in her expression. “I wish things were different,” she murmurs. “But—”

“We can make things different.”

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