Page 144 of Just One Season
“You’ve had more than your share of rough conversations today.”
She shrugs. After she called to tell Winchester FC she was staying here, she called her father. He didn’t take the rejection well. He’s not used to any kind of rejection.
“My favorite part was when I told my father to let Ron know I’m doing fine.” Lucy chuckles. “And he admitted he will probably come back to DC FC if the NHL team purchase falls through. There were just so very many things wrong with that whole conversation.” She growls and shakes her head.
“Asshole.” I shake my head.
“Yup. I told him I need space from him. A break. At first Dad thought I was talking about Ron. My father does not live in the same reality that I do.” She shakes her head.
“I think space from Richard is a good idea.”
“I’m gonna go full no contact for six months. Then I’ll reevaluate what role he gets to play in my life.”
“Our life.”
“Our life.” Lucy nods.
“Well.” I lean forward and kiss her, breathing in her scent, tasting the deep red wine on her lips. “I’m thrilled you chose here. Me. Us.”
She smiles against my mouth.
“Hey, I have something for you. Don’t go anywhere.” I stand and leave my wine glass on the coffee table.
“Where would I go?” she calls after me.
I smile and dart into the study to grab Lucy’s wrapped Christmas gift from where I left it on the desk.
“Here.” I hand her the present and sink back beside her.
“What’s this?”
“A Christmas gift I never got to give you. It’s not a big deal, I promise.”
Lucy rips the abominable snowman wrapping paper off and chuckles when she reads the title of the book.
“A Guide to Hiking in Colorado?”
“Yeah. I put a few notes in there, like around what to do when you encounter wildlife. There’s a whole chapter on rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and bears.”
“I am never going hiking without you.” She flips through the pages, fingering the sticky notes with my scribbles.
“Deal.”
“Thank you.” She lays the book on her lap and kisses me. “I don’t have anything for you.”
“I don’t need presents. I much prefer to give them than get them.”
“That’s sweet.” Lucy sighs and rests her head on my shoulder.
“I had another idea, but didn’t want to do it until I talked to you first.”
“What is it?” Lucy tilts her head up.
“This summer, do you want to go on vacation with me? I’m thinking England. We can visit January in London, then tour around the countryside. Maybe go up to Scotland and see Edinburgh and the Highlands.”
Lucy doesn’t respond, so I rush through the next part of my speech.
“Maybe we can check some boxes off so you don’t have any regrets about not moving to England.”
