Page 37 of Bound and Blitzed

Vale, you okay? You’ve been quiet lately.

Carla

Research?

Ale

She could still give us proof of life.

Sighing, I snap a selfie of myself holding up my mocha and grinning broadly. But as I study the photo, I realize how exhausted I look. My skin is sallow, my eyes dull. Even my hair—usually full and bouncy—hangs limply.

Sighing, I delete the photo and mute the chat without responding. I need to tell my family the truth, but I don’t have the energy for that conversation today. Not when I’m feeling more like myself than I have in weeks.

“Valentina?” a woman asks tentatively.

I look up and recognize Nova Marten and Leni Strauss.

“Hi,” I say, managing a smile.

“How are you?” Leni asks.

“Good. Please sit down,” I offer, gesturing to the empty seats across from me.

Both women sit down, their hands wrapped around steaming mugs of coffee.

“Have you ever been here before?” Nova asks.

I shake my head.

“Oh, it’s so good. They do seasonal coffees throughout the year. Next fall, you need to try their pumpkin spice beverages,” she explains. She glances at her phone, a frown appearing between her eyebrows. “Excuse me,” she says, scrolling through a message. “It’s the daycare.” She reads through the message and smiles. Her eyes flick to mine. “Stella just started, and I think I’m having a harder time letting her go than she is…” She shows me her phone screen and I lean closer. “Her teacher just sent me this picture.”

A beautiful little girl with two pigtails sticking straight in the air and big blue eyes grins from the screen. Two gummy teeth are visible and a bit of drool pools in the corner of her mouth. “She’s beautiful,” I say truthfully.

“She’s the sweetest,” Leni shares.

“She’s something,” Nova laughs. “A handful most days but I miss her now that she’s not home.”

“It’s good that you’re back to work full time,” Leni assures her gently.

Nova sighs. “I think so. It’s time but…it’s hard to process all the big feelings sometimes. Anyway…” She turns her attention to me. “I’m happy I ran into you. Are you and Avery coming to the Christmas party?”

Shit. I’d left a sticky note with details about the party on the kitchen island yesterday, but Avery hasn’t responded yet. Does he want to go? As the captain, he should be present. But does he want me to attend with him? Or is it better if we keep our professional lives separate from our sham marriage?

I bite my bottom lip and fib. “I think so. To be honest, this week has been busy. I have a presentation at work tomorrow evening and?—”

“You do?” Leni asks. “For what? Sorry, we don’t really know what you do other than work at the university.”

“Yeah,” Nova says, her smile warm. “We’d love to get to know you better, Valentina. We’re so happy for Avery and for you.” She shrugs. “When the team travels, the wives and girlfriends try to meet up for a drink or coffee. We’d love for you to join us.”

“Oh…I…” I pause, flustered by their kind invitation. “I’d like that, too,” I say simply. And then, “I spend most days at the library and am always looking for an afternoon caffeine pick-me-up.”

“Girl, same,” Leni agrees.

I share a bit about my work and tomorrow night’s presentation with them. Leni explains that she’s preparing to launch a wedding planning business here in Tennessee, and Nova shares that she’s working on a baby fashion line. I love listening to their innovative ideas and plans as budding entrepreneurs. It’s so different than the structured work I do and it’s refreshing to learn about something new.

“I admire your creativity. Both of you,” I tell them. “I could never do something like that.”

“Well, we could never do what you do. Although your research sounds really interesting,” Leni replies, taking a sip of her coffee.

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