Page 80 of Just One Season
Probably because Lucy already has many pictures of Ava on her phone from soccer practice and games. And it hasn’t botheredme one bit. I have no fear that Lucy would share private pictures of my daughter with anyone.
“Done.”
“Great. I’m thinking it might be useful when trying to place him in a new family. You know, great with kids and all. I’d completely block out Ava’s face, of course.”
My stomach twists, and Lucy’s smile fades.
“Of course.” I clear my throat and pocket my phone. What a freaking bummer. Just another reminder that Lucy is leaving. I clear my throat after an awkward pause. “This weekend we need to work hard to convince Savannah this is really happening. You and me. It’s our last big chance.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Lucy’s throat ripples as she swallows. She crosses her arms, her thin sweater stretching across her arms. Does she even believe our charade anymore? “What do we do tonight?”
“I think we make a show of leaving here. Together.”
“Okay.” Lucy nods. “And go where?”
To my room?But I don’t say that.
“I know a place with the absolute best views of the stars. Want to see?”
“Let’s go.” A blush creeps up her face as I reach for her hand. She lets me take it, entwining her fingers with mine immediately.
Not sure why I think an isolated spot behind the hotel is the best place to show everyone we’re dating. Not just an isolated spot—one of the most romantic places I can think of.
But I know why.
I like her.
I slowly lead Lucy to the dimly lit sidewalk that goes around the main lodge, giving the people we’re walking away from time to observe us. Do they? I have no idea. I don’t really care if Savannah is watching, because she’s already a believer.
It’s quiet behind the hotel, and I point to cushioned lounge chairs out on a gravelly area a way back from the building. We walk on the stone pathway until we get to them and settle in, both of uslaying back on the reclined chairs and staring up at the sky. It’s much darker out here away from the hotel, so the stars absolutely pop against the black sky.
“Did they see us?” she asks.
“Who? See what?”
“Everyone back there.”
I turn to look at Lucy’s profile.
“When we walked away from the group.” Lucy shifts her head to meet my eyes.
“Oh, yeah, probably.”
Lucy folds her hands on her stomach and turns back to star gazing. It’s a perfectly clear night and the sky is carpeted with stars, like Ava took a giant bottle of glitter and threw it over a black poster board.
“My god. It’s so gorgeous.” She takes a deep breath in.
Sitting with Lucy out here feels good. Right. Like she’s someone I’ve known for years.
Maybe we should talk about fake dating right now. What our next steps are. The strategy for tomorrow. But I don’t care about any of that at this moment.
“Where have you seen the best stars?” I ask instead. “What’s your favorite spot?”
“Besides here?” She huffs. “I vacationed in Maine with my mom and brother as a teenager. It was pretty amazing up there. Not sure if it beats this though.”
I sit up slowly, swinging my legs over the side of the lounge chair, watching her profile as she gazes up on her back. It’s dark, but the light of the stars is enough.
“I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights,” I say. It’s true, but I’m not sure I’ve ever said those words out loud.
