Page 58 of A Match Made In Fall

“I’m okay,” I admit as I pour myself a cup of coffee. “A little nervous.”

“The doctor knows what he’s doing,” Mom reminds me as she gives Jude a spoonful of baby food.

“I know. I’m just anxious to get my leg back.”

This sounds so silly, but it’s true.

“You will when the time is right,” Mom says confidently.

I sit down in the chair beside the baby. “So, what’s on little Jude’s calendar today?”

This kid has more of a social life than most people I know.

“He has baby music class this morning,” Sammy says, “and then we’re going shopping for Halloween decorations.”

“That sounds like a great day.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Sammy agrees.

She joins us at the table. “So, how was Austin after the game last night?”

I cringe. “As bad as you could imagine. He tried to play it off at first, but of course he was upset. It’s a lot of pressure having that many people watching every game. He doesn’t want to let the fans down.”

Mom nods knowingly. “It’s so nice that he cares about the fans that much.”

“How are things otherwise?” Sammy asks, a mischievous gleam appearing in her eye.

“What exactly are you referring to?” I ask innocently, even though I know exactly what she means.

She’s asking how things are between Austin and I on a personal level.

She snorts. “You know.”

A broad smile immediately spreads across my face. “They are great,” I admit.

Sammy lets out an excited squeal and rubs her hands together. “I knew it. His face completely lit up the second he saw you last night,” Sammy says with a grin.

“He’s been doing that since the first time he met her,” my mom adds.

Heat fills my cheeks. And I’m sure they’ll notice me blushing.

“Did you tell him about your conversation with Dexter?” Sammy asks.

“I did.”

“And?”

“And it went well. Better than I expected.”

Sammy exchanges a look with my mom.

“So now there’s really nothing standing in your way.” Mom pauses. “Well…other than distance.”

Ah, yes. My mother’s not-so-subtle reminder that Austin lives here and I’ll be returning to California—thousands of miles away.

“Have you two talked about that?” Sammy asks.

I nod. “Yes. But there’s not much to discuss right now. I told him I was staying through the holidays. Beyond that, he knows my life and career are in LA. And with his career he understands what it’s like to move to new cities far away from family and friends.”