Page 71 of Going for Gold (Sweet Cravings 3)

He smiled and ran his thumb across my palm. "I don't mind waiting."

"But you're flying back to Pasadena on Monday. And I'm going to Wilmington." I wanted to freeze time. I'd live in this moment of pain as long as it meant I'd have more time with him.

He smiled. "I wouldn't mind having a super long layover in Philly."

"Super long?"

"Let's just say everything I'm planning on doing to you is going to take awhile."

I gulped.

"Are you hungry?"

I searched his face. He didn't look disappointed about not having sex. He looked a little relieved that I was finally talking. I wanted him to come home with me. Maybe I'd kidnap him like I had thought that Uber driver had. "I'm starving."

"How about I go get some pizza?"

"Pizza sounds perfect."

He stood up. "And I'll get some fancy new dessert to try." He leaned down and kissed me before heading out the door.

My stomach twisted into knots. Dessert. I wasn't going to be able to afford to fix up the bakery with the money from a silver medal. I'd barely even be able to cover rent for a few months. I needed to call home. I needed to tell them I'd get the money another way. They couldn't sell it yet.

I pulled out my phone and called my mom. After a few rings she answered.

"Hi, sweetie." I could tell that she knew. Of course she knew. She had been watching all of my games.

"Mom." My voice caught in my throat. I didn't think I had it in me, but I started crying again. The realization that I wouldn't be able to take over the bakery seemed to hit me in a rush. Gabriela had taken everything from me.

"It's okay," my mom said in her naturally soothing voice. "It's going to be okay, sweetie."

"No. Mom, it's not enough. Dad's going to sell it. I need more time."

"Shhh. It's okay. I'll talk to him. He's not going to sell it before you come home."

I put my face in my hands.

"Alina, they showed the crowd on the TV. We saw Chris."

Oh God.

"He was wearing a Team Brazil T-shirt. Is everything okay with..."

"We broke up. He cheated on me with Gabriela Santos." I lifted up my head. I had talked to my mom a few times this week, but I hadn't mentioned Chris at all. I just didn't want to think about him.

My mom didn't say anything for a long time. "What an asshole."

"Mom!" My mother never cursed. I had never heard her say something like that in my life.

She laughed. "Well, that's the only way to describe him."

I couldn't help but laugh. It sounded weird in my throat. Like I had forgotten what feeling happy was like. I ende

d up coughing instead of laughing.

The door of my room opened. I thought it would be Bryce, but Kristen walked in. She looked a little happier. "Where's Bryce?" she asked.

I put my hand over my phone. "He went to get pizza."

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