Page 100 of Faking It For Real

"But I believe in making quick decisions when the right candidate is clear." She extended her hand again. "The position is yours, if you want it."

I stared at her, certain I'd misheard. "I'm sorry, what?"

"The internship," she repeated patiently. "I'm offering it to you. You'll be based in our New York office, working primarily with the winter sports division, though we cross-train all our photographers. It's paid, includes housing stipend, and often leads to contract work afterward." She tilted her head slightly. "Is that something that interests you?"

"Yes!" I blurted, then modulated my tone. "I mean, yes, absolutely. I'm extremely interested. Thank you so much for this opportunity."

Samantha smiled, genuinely this time. "Your talent earned it. The fact that you have an insider's perspective on hockey now is just a bonus." Her eyes twinkled with knowing amusement. "Ethan mentioned you were dating. That connection can provide unique insights, though of course your work stands on its own."

As we finalized details, my mind raced ahead to what this meant—not just professionally, but personally. New York. Summer. Miles away from Ethan, who would be starting with Pittsburgh.

But those concerns were for later. Right now, I had achieved a critical part of my professional dream, solving my financial concerns in the process. As I walked back to my apartment, I couldn't stop smiling, despite the complicated future that success had suddenly created.

"New York," Ethan repeated, sitting on my kitchen counter as I prepared dinner that evening. "That's...far from Pittsburgh."

"Three hundred and seventy miles, approximately," I confirmed, focusing too intently on dicing an onion. "About a six-hour drive, depending on traffic."

"You've researched it already," he noted, amusement coloring his voice.

I glanced up, caught. "I might have looked into it. After I finished screaming into my pillow with excitement about the internship, of course."

"Of course." He hopped down from the counter, coming to stand beside me. Gently, he took the knife from my hand and set it down. "Mia, look at me."

I turned reluctantly, afraid of what I might see in his expression. But there was nothing but warmth and pride in his eyes.

"I am so incredibly proud of you," he said softly. "This internship is huge. Life-changing huge. And we're going to make it work."

"But three hundred and seventy miles—"

"Is nothing," he finished firmly. "Some miles between us don't stand a chance."

"That's a very hockey player way of looking at a long-distance relationship," I said, laughing despite the lump in my throat.

"Well, I am a hockey player." His hands found my waist, pulling me closer. "A hockey player who happens to have access to a car, occasional days off, and a frighteningly strong motivation to see his talented photographer girlfriend."

"Convenient."

"Very." He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "We should talk about it more—make actual plans, be realistic about challenges. But not right now."

"Why not right now?"

His eyes danced with mischief. "Because right now, I want to celebrate my brilliant girlfriend landing her dream internship. The rest can wait."

As he lifted me off my feet in a spinning hug, I decided he was right. The complications of distance were problems for tomorrow. Tonight was for celebration and the simple joy of being exactly where I was, in the arms of someone who saw my success as our success.

Later, as we lay tangled together on my bed, Ethan propped himself up on one elbow, his expression turning more serious.

"We should probably talk about what this all means," he said. "For us. The distance, the schedules, the pressure."

I nodded, appreciating his directness. "I'd rather face it head-on than pretend it won't be hard."

"Hockey season is brutal," he began, his tone matter-of-fact. "Eighty-two regular-season games, half of them on the road. That means I'll be traveling constantly from October through April, minimum. If we make playoffs, add another two months."

"And my job will involve travel too," I added. "Especially if I continue specializing in winter sports."

"Media scrutiny," Ethan continued. "Not just game coverage, but personal life. Hockey players' relationships get attention, especially in devoted hockey towns like Pittsburgh."

"So I'll be dating a minor celebrity," I teased.

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