Page 79 of Just One Season
“I’m happy for you,” Savannah says.
With perfect timing, one of Paul’s staff walks over and asks Savannah about a holiday charity event. I take that opportunity to escape further conversation.
I practically run toward Lucy, who stands and smiles.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, of course.” I’m okay now that I’m next to her. Appearance wise, Lucy’s about as far from Savannah as possible. Her hair is a bit crazy, curls tumbling out of the low ponytail. Her freckles stand out on her pale skin, and her green eyes reflect the dancing orange flames of the bonfire. She’s not nearly as put together. But who really wants put together? I want real.
“What’d she say to you?”
“I told her we were dating.” Actually, I think I said that Lucy was my girlfriend.
“You did? What’d she say?” Lucy presses her lips together. That little smile is fucking adorable.
Savannah said she’s happy for me. The woman absolutely believes Lucy and I are dating. Plus, she literally talked to Paul about it.
But I can’t say that to Lucy.
Because if I do, then it’ll be like this fake dating charade doesn’t need to go on any longer, at least from my side. And if Lucy thinks that’s true, then maybe she’ll decide we should back off tonight.
“Nothing, really. But regardless, she’s not going anywhere. She needs to find another focus besides me.”
Half truth, half lie.
“True.” Lucy scrunches her mouth to one side. Is she thinking about how we might not need to pretend to date?
“Hey, look at this picture I just got.” I tap on my phone and flash the picture of Ava with her cheek pressed against Mister Barky McBarkface’s cheek, his tongue out and making contact with my daughter’s chin, a contagious smile on her face. Lucy takes a step closer to me and puts her hand on the phone, brushing against my fingers.
It feels stupidly good to have contact with her again.
“Oh my god, that is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Yup. As usual, your dog is a big hit.”
“Gosh, I miss coaching Ava’s team! I can’t believe how fast the season flew by. Those girls are so sweet. Especially your daughter.” Lucy looks up at me with her big green eyes and smiles.
“Well, we’ll have to find a reason for you to see her again. Because she asks about Coach Lucy and Mister Barky McBarkface all the time. Dog sitting him is basically the highlight of her entire year.”
Lucy chuckles and drops her hand from my phone. “I’m so glad you brought up that her team needed a coach. Between that and helping with the Thanksgiving food drive for the Blizzard, I feel like I’m actually doing something good.”
“You’re also helping me out, don’t forget.”
“I’m happy to help with the Kellen Bassey charity as well.”
We stare at each other, both with goofy smiles.
“Can you thank Bri again for dog sitting? I don’t think Mister Barky McBarkface would do great in a kennel.”
“Yup, on it.” I type out a text to Bri.
“And can you send that picture to me? It’s adorable.”
I nod and text it to her immediately.
As soon as I press send, I realize I just voluntarily shared a picture of my daughter with someone not in my little inner circle. I should be freaking out about it.
But I’m not.
